Labor Day may not quite be upon us but forget about the last BBQ party of summer, it’s time to don the Christmas sweater and deck the tree because this year’s must have holiday season toys list is out.
With only just over 120 sleeps to go until Christmas, U.K. department store retailer John Lewis says that the big day is “never far from customers’ minds”, and says there were more than 1,000 searches for ‘Christmas’ on its website in August.
A retailer which has become synonymous with the start of the festive holidays thanks to its ad campaigns has started the build-up even sooner this year.
John Lewis says that after exhaustive research from its toy buyers, it has come up with a list that it feels not only reflects the toys most likely to be a hit with kids this year but also that help bring parents and children together.
So just what might be coming down those Christmas chimneys on December 25?
Well, the most expensive item on the John Lewis list is a $330 deluxe play kitchen that boasts an ‘American-style’ fridge-freezer with an ice maker that dispenses wooden ice cubes. It also comes with a full dinner service set and condiments.
Next up is a wooden vending machine toy, which dispenses play food and is operated using play coins or a bank card. The maker, Melissa & Doug, says that the machine teaches children about cause and effect while also encouraging letter, number and colour recognition.
With the vinyl sales revival continuing to blossom, the retailer is tipping a $37 record player for children to be another big hit. The VTech sound system comes with a selection of five discs that offer an introduction to a range of genres including jazz, techno, hip-hop and country music.
Some of the other items on the list include timeless staples of the Christmas must-have toys, featuring Lego, Play-Doh and Barbie, with the latter still riding a renewed wave of popularity following the hit movie.
With myriad Barbie toys to choose from, John Lewis has plumped for the $92 ‘ultimate stable playset’, stressing that the accessories that come with Barbie are key to its enduring appeal.
Christmas Toys Hit List
Alan Wright, the department store retailer’s toys and books buyer, said on issuing the list that it had sought out products that adults and children could enjoy together.
“Whether that’s by building toys together as a family or role-playing with friends, each of the toys encourage social play in a unique way no matter the age,” he added.
The list comes with retailers feeling more optimistic that shoppers might be ready to dig deeper this holiday season, with some of the uncertainty that hit last year’s Christmas period now appearing to have broadly passed.
The forecast for the top 10 toys this Christmas from John Lewis is:
Squish-a-Longs 14-pack – $20
Play-Doh Rainbow Swirl Ice Cream Set – $27.70
VTech My 1st Record Player – $37
Gecko Hexbug – $39.50
Bonnie Bear – $43.50
Lego Sleigh – $52.75
Connetix Magnetic Tiles Rainbow Motion Pack – $59.30
Ultimate Barbie Stables – $92
Melissa & Doug Vending Machine – $105.50
Wooden Deluxe Play Kitchen – $330
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