Elmo once again king of kids’ Christmas wish lists
On the wish list
Toy Insider’s picks include:
▶ 0-2 Years
Mega Bloks Play ‘N Go Table (Mega Brands, $40)
My Pal Scout & My Pal Violet (Leapfrog) ▶ 3-5 Years
1-2-3 Stomp! (Wild Planet, $30)
Liv Dolls (Spin Master, $20)
▶ 9+ Years
Power Miners
Titanium Command Rig (Lego, $100)
Twilight Scene It? The DVD Game: Deluxe Edition (Screenlife, $30)
It’s not even October and already toy makers are taking bets on what toys sell best this holiday season.
Elmo Tickle Hands, a Transformer that becomes a truck, and a DVD game based on the film “Twilight” are expected to top the list as toymakers try and attract budget conscious parents.
Mattel Inc.’s $29.99 Elmo hands, which emit sounds and phrases from the popular Sesame Street character, and Hasbro Inc.’s $44.99 Optimus Prime from the movie “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” were among the “Hot 20” chosen by the Toy Insider, a consumer shopping guide being released today. Half of the toys retail for $30 or less and all are under $100.
“Gift givers this year are going to be sensitive about the money they allocate toward their holiday shopping,” said Jonathan Samet, publisher of Toy Insider.
Mattel, Hasbro and other toymakers that make at least a third of their annual revenue from the fourth quarter, offered toys for less than $20 last holiday season to lure parents grappling with tighter budgets.
