Dear Santa... I like these toys!

12:00am Saturday 11th October 2008

Comments (1)   Have your say »

WHEN each day seems to bring fresh news of doom and gloom, it’s good to remember the festive season is just round the corner.

And even on a tight budget, there are plenty of toys to put a smile on young faces this Christmas.

As Chris Jenson, manager of Smyths Toy Superstore at Rayleigh Weir says, the show must go on.

He said: “You can’t just cancel Christmas.

“People might not be spending as much, but they still need to buy presents for the children.”

According to Mr Jenson, toys based around High School Musical, Hannah Montana and American cartoon hero Ben 10 will be top of youngsters’ wish-lists this year.

The Ben 10 Alien Laboratory Set, where kids can make their own toy aliens out of clay, is set to be a particularly big hit with the boys.

For the girls, Smyths predicts Hannah Montana’s secret pillow, a soft diary with a lock and key and an MP3 speaker, will be a runaway success.

But it’s the Disney film High School Musical which is set to sweep the board.

Mr Jenson explained: “Because the third film has just come out, High School Musical merchandise will be especially popular.

“Children start watching High School Musical when they’re three or four and it’s still popular with teenagers.

“I think It would be a safe bet if you weren’t sure what to buy for your child.

High School Musical, Hannah Montana and Ben 10 all have toys or dolls starting from as little as £19.99.

National chain Toys R Us, which has a store in Southernhay, Basildon, is also predicting big things for Hannah Montana, Ben 10 and the High School Musical franchise, as well as some more modern gadgets.

For those with a bit of spare cash, the Nintendo Wii games console is the gift of choice but, at nearly £200, could be out of the reach of most of us.

Both Smyths and Toys R Us are expecting other gadgets, such as high-tech fishing game Catcha Beast and mini Transformer-like collectables Bakugan, to be all the rage on the playground come January.

But at the Leigh Toy Fair on Leigh Broadway, things are a bit more traditional.

Manager Fiona Morgan said: “With every year, we notice all the wooden toys sell more and more because people realise they are stronger and last longer.”

The store, which specialises in traditional wooden toys such as doll houses, is stocking up on ride-on toys for young children.

The most popular, a floral-patterned horse which tots can sit on, sold out as soon as they came in, and Ms Morgan is stocking up ahead of the Christmas rush.

They also do a ride-on snail toy which is proving very popular. Ms Morgan said: “We don't really do lots of commercial toys.

“We try to stay away from fad toys which are advertised.

“I do think parents are going back to the more traditional toys because they last longer and can be passed down through the generations.”