The Hot New Toy For Christmas is...

[alacazander]

Summerrluvv- The Star Studio is really cool. It is a small video camera that sits on top of the TV. It comes with 1 cartridge (there are 8 others you can buy) that pop in. Then it comes with cordless microphone. Each cartridge has about 8 songs it plays (I think only 4 songs come with it) and the kids can sing and dance and see themselves on the TV. They also have like 5 different modes (like seeing double or fuzzy - I can't remember the modes). My kids were doing it in the store and they were singing and dancing and just having a blast with this. I got it at Walmart for about $55.00. The extra cartridges were around $9 each.

I just purchased this too! The Star Station! My son just danced and danced to "who let the dogs out" with no microphone (glued to the demo) so I figure he'll be a dancing maniac once he get's his hands on the mic. I got one extra cartridge because it had Purple people eater on it! lol!

I was expecting this toy to be about $24.99 - $34.99 and was surprised at the $54.99 tag on it! Yikes!

 

[deltachi8]

i heard the 19" Mickey TV was to be a hot item, but not so much now...

sorry, souldn't resist...

 

[100AcreWood]

Bumping us up...

I haven't heard anyone mention a cool doll for this year. Unless it's one of the dozen Cinderella dolls out there

 

[carone0318]

I just thought that I would put out there some of the stuff that I have already bought for my kids and some stuff that I still need to get. Just like everyone else, money is always tight and I started back in July and have been hitting the big sales that have come and gone. My DD is 9 and my DS is 4.5 (have to get in the half or he will freak.) I really haven't bought the "big toy" for the season - I am calling this the year of the board game! My kids love board games, so this will be perfect. We got the following boards games: Life, Yatzee, Magic Kingdom Game & Battleship at the BOGO free sale at TRU this past weekend. I also got this Scavenger Hunt Board Game which I believe all 9yr old girls would like and Disney Chess (DD plays chess) DD's big gift is golf clubs from Dicks, thought that I'd wait and get a better sale on BF. DS's big gift is all the Stitch bedroom stuff, the comforter set, sheets, wall hanger, shelf and rug. I always watch each week to see what the $10 movie at Target is and this week it was Racing Stripes, so I bought that. I got them Disney beach towels. I got some gymnastics stuff for DD because she is a gymnast. Every year they get the Disney World Calendars. I still have to buy Mario Baseball for GC and I want to get Mario DDR which is available on 10/25. For their stockings I have come up with a few new items. I plan to buy them ponchos for Disney World. We always give Disney dollars. The 2 new things this year will be each will receive $10 GC for Regal Cinemas (figuring that I would have to pay if we went to the movies anyway), each will receive a ticket to go snow tubing in Jan/Feb whenever our schedule allows (again would have to pay if we went anyway) and each child will receive a $35 GC to their favorite restaurant, DD Outback Steakhouse and DS likes Joe's Crab Shack. Since we bought our new house we have really cut back on going out to dinner, so I thought a nice treat would be to give them GC that would basically cover our family at a restaurant, maybe we would have to contribute another $15-20. This would let our family be able to go out for the evening, but they see it as a gift. I thought that was pretty creative and it is definitely something my kids would love. I decided just to go practical this year but I still know it is all stuff that they will love. Oh, did I mention that whatever we get them will be thrown to the side once they see the gift my mother and Aunt give them, an air hockey table, so I am keeping that in mind too. Sorry for the long post, maybe I have given someone else some ideas because I know this post sure has given me some ideas....

 

[gottaluvdis]

for teens it is definately the Ipod! I dont' know about little ones though!

I thought I had gotten away from the Ipod, but lo and behold, she just asked me for the Nano yesterday! Since DD is only 9, she won't be getting that for a while. I just got the Ipod Mini myself last year and already they're going to stop making that in favor of the Nano. There's also supposed to be an announcement from Apple tomorrow about something else new they're unveiling.

 

[mamalle]

I agree- My son who just turned 3 when we got his big sister the leapster- learned all his letters and can recognize them thanks to the letter factory game/movie. granted we tried to work with him and he could say them but its remarkable what he can do now.. Im all for something that is educational and fun for the kids..

 

[momto2inKC]

momto2inKc-
Where did you get the attachement for the gameboy and do you know what it is called? I would love to get one for my son!
Thanks!

We got ours at Best Buy, but I did just find it on ToysRUs' website. I couldn't figure out how to direct link you, so here's the url, just copy and paste it....
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...4?v=glance&n=13635641&s=toys&m=A3UN6WX5RRO2AG

 

[corie161]

Thanks for all the feedback on VSmile and Leapster. It sounds like most are going with the regular (not pocket version) VSmile for the smaller crowd.

Just and FYI, and maybe you already know this...the VSmile Pocket and the regular VSmile take the same cartridges, the difference is that the Pocket is portable and can be taken anywhere and also can be hooked up to the TV. The regular VSmile is a unit just to be connected to the TV.

My DS got his VSmile for his birthday last year (4). He enjoys playing with it, as does my DD age 7...it's not on either of theirs priority list. I just got him the Leapster LMax for Christmas. I figured I'd mix it up a little for a game on the go he can have his Leapster and at home the VSmile. I just hope he doesn't enjoy his sisters Nintendo DS and Nintendogs game more that she is getting for Xmas and take it over!

 

[mom2dil]

Thanks momto2inkc- You are the BEST!!!!

 

[Threehearts]

The 9 y/o's at my kid's public elementary school are using Powerpoint presentations and audiocasts from iPods for their book reports. My daughter was presenting on a civil rights book and the Chicago Riots of 1919 and she had a 3 part project. She finished a Word file for the written portion, developed an oral presentation with photocopied visuals to support the report and the downloaded a podcast of a woman who lived throught the riots. This woman's speech was originally an oral history given on PBS but they allow you to download the talks onto your iPod. My daughter's presentation went well and other kids were just taking this kind of technology in stride. I have to say, that it is difficult for Mom to keep up with everything. SO- to make a short story long, yes, the young kids are definitely using iPods. Threehearts

 

[mercydisney]

Carone0318, I love the idea of movie tickets and dinner gift certificates.
My kids only go to movies on special occasion, because I can't see paying so much money for movie tickets when in a couple of months the movie will be out in dvd for the price of the 4 of us to go see the moveie.. the dinner gift certificates will be more a gift for me (but they don't need to know that 0

thanks for the idea.

My kids wish list:

DD10; LEGOS, Iipod or MP3 player, pixie chix, winx stuff, several disney board games (thanks to tru bogo free) , chat now, movies amd maybe the leapster pen, etc.,

DD5; Bitty twins, stroller, stroller accs. and clothes, Bitty storage chest, Dora talking chicken, Board games (thanks to TRU bogo free), hand held VSMILE, The system that you sing and view yourself on tv, Gogo tv,
more vsmile games and more leapster games, etc.

I try to get the same amount of toy for each so on Christmas mornig they each have the same amount to open. But it gets hard because DD10 presents are getting more and more expensive.

I'm glad I am not the only one that goes overboard for Christmas. DH and MIL and MY Mother always complain and tell me I get the kids to much. It's the only time of year my kids get presents besides B'day, so I think its ok.

The real reason I do it besides the fact that I was deprived as a child (different thread) is I love to see their faces on Christmas morning, Both my girls still believe in santa!!!

 

[jsksjs]

I Go WAY Overboard with my 3 kids at Xmas! I always had loads of toys from Santa, The entire floor of the tree stacked high was just for me. Im the same way with my kids now. I love toys myself! I have to go and buy all the new and cool stuff, (even if they dont ask for it!). I try to get them on sale. But, DS is now 8, and he isnt really into too many toys anymore. Just video Games and Yu gi oh and Pokemon Cards So, my 6 Yr old DS likes everything that his 8YR Bro likes, and, he doesnt like too many toys either! My 3.5 Yr old DD loves toys! I cant even say how much money i spend on them every year. I know its a big waste of money, but, this is what im use to. My parents get mad and tell me that everything they try to buy the kids, they have already.

 

[100AcreWood]

I Go WAY Overboard with my 3 kids at Xmas! I always had loads of toys from Santa, The entire floor of the tree stacked high was just for me.

I loved your post! This was how I was raised too (took all morning to open all the presents). My parents didn't celebrate my birthday much and I never got toys except at Christmas so I guess that's how my Mom justified it.

I started out doing the same for our dd but this year I'm cutting it way down. She is only getting three presents from Santa and three from us. The reason is my Mom buys her a present every month, then last Christmas she bought her 15 presents...more than Santa and us combined (which made me feel kind of bad). Dd is only 3 and already becoming desensitized to receiving gifts.

Also, she is the only grandchild on both sides so she receives a lot from MIL and FIL but they can't compete with my parents! My Mom feels like it is a competition so I doubt she'll stop. My Mom actually got upset at dd's 2nd birthday party because MIL bought her play-doh and she liked it. My Mom freaked and wanted to know why I didn't tell her she liked play-doh.

So we're getting her a
1) John Deere Gator power ride-on
2) Harmonica
3) People for her Loving Family house
4) Game
5) Game
6) New doll-haven't figured out which one

I'll be shocked if my Mom doesn't buy at least 2X that much.

 

[mlwear]

The 9 y/o's at my kid's public elementary school are using Powerpoint presentations and audiocasts from iPods for their book reports. My daughter was presenting on a civil rights book and the Chicago Riots of 1919 and she had a 3 part project. She finished a Word file for the written portion, developed an oral presentation with photocopied visuals to support the report and the downloaded a podcast of a woman who lived throught the riots. This woman's speech was originally an oral history given on PBS but they allow you to download the talks onto your iPod. My daughter's presentation went well and other kids were just taking this kind of technology in stride. I have to say, that it is difficult for Mom to keep up with everything. SO- to make a short story long, yes, the young kids are definitely using iPods. Threehearts

Wow! I have resigned myself to the fact that I will be buying my 10 year old an iPod. Trying to figure out which one to get! Nano is the cool thing now, but some say to go with the regular iPod instead (I think memory and battery life??? not sure). The black looks neat, but reviews say it scratches easily. What type of iPod have those of you who are purchasing for Christmas or already own select?

 

[ladyariadne]

My kids are getting a trip to Disney for Christmas - well, we are really going Thanksgiving.

They agreed that if we do this, they will only get a few presents for Christmas. But hey, they know they can always count on Santa Claus.

Kids are 6 and 9.

Elizabeth

 

[tikilyn]

I wish my dd would tell me what she wants santa to bring her! Anyways I'm officially finished Christmas shopping for my kids and my parents! Tell me how does this sound for presents. My dd will be 5 in December (double whammy with presents). She doesn't really care for dolls. Loves games and animals.

From mom and Dad
Princess Table and Chair set (disney direct)
A couple of books (will be one present)
Easy Bake Oven
My little Pony pack (from Sam's club)
Pretty Pretty Princess game (toysrus deal)

From Santa
Princess TV 13"
Princess DVD Player
V smile game system and one game

Stocking stuffers
Cinderella Dvd
Sing along princess songs DVD
V smile game


My Ds who will be 2 and 1/2 and is a Disney / spiderman freak (what a combo)
I just noticed that my son has one more gift than his sis but i don't think they'll notice it.

From mom and dad
Finding Nemo camping chairs
wooden blocks
Books
a cheap walmart big truck with match box cars
2 Thomas the train sets
pretend tool set

From Santa
Little Tikes tool work bench
Mickey Mouse tv (no Dvd player for him)
Spider man hero town

stocking stuffers
3 match box cars (cheapo cars)
toy Story DVD
Lilo and Stitch 2 DVD

For dd's 5th birthday were getting her that Tinker bell Mp3 player and the Princess Monpoly Jr game and maybe some play makeup.

Is this year over yet?

 

[TnTWalter]

they also have one that's pink with Princess on it. They're $49.99.

We went to visit friends a couple weeks ago and my kids [7,5,3] enjoyed playing V-smile. But I've also heard great things about Leapster....
Anyone have both? Key is educational and entertaining...they have leap pads but they aren't as POPULAR as I had hoped.

Trish

 

[100AcreWood]

I've been researching the VSmile and Leapster too. I keep going back and forth but I think I've decided on the Leapster L-Max. I like the educational features, the fact that it is portable and can be plugged into the TV and the controls seemed easy to use. The big variable was the attached "pen" which I thought based on the advertisements would be good for a younger kid learning to form letters.

But the opinions are split down the middle! I don't think you can go wrong. I like the games better for the VSmile (more Disney titles!).

 

[bengalbelle]

they also have one that's pink with Princess on it. They're $49.99.

We went to visit friends a couple weeks ago and my kids [7,5,3] enjoyed playing V-smile. But I've also heard great things about Leapster....
Anyone have both? Key is educational and entertaining...they have leap pads but they aren't as possible as I had hoped.

Trish

We have the regular V-Smile and the Leapster. DS4 got both for Christmas last year.
We love them both (I admit DH and I love playing with the VSmile, a lot). There are a few things that disappoint me about the Leapster. First of all, the games are more expensive. Some are close to $30.00. Now they've come out the with L Max (or whatever it's called) so I hate to invest too much in games when we may want to upgrade sometime in the future. We bought this for the educational benefits, but had our sometimes frequent long car rides in mind when we purchased. Unfortunately the graphics are not the highest quality and when the sun is out DS cannot see most of the games to play. At night (in the car) it's hard to see the buttons, so in car play time is really limited.

We have no problems with the V-Smile. I don't think the games are quite as educational as the Leapster, but they are super fun. I am considering the pocket Vsmile for Christmas. If you don't own one and are thinking of getting one, I'd say go for the pocket. It uses the same smartridges as the regular system and you can plug it into your TV at home or use it on the go.

Honestly, you can't go wrong with either the Vsmile or the Leapster. They're both educational and fun. I think DS finds the Vsmile more entertaining and we buy more games for it than we do the Leapster. We've found smartridges for the Vsmile for as low as $14.99. The lowest price I've seen on a Leapster cartridge is around $19.97 and they were games for older kids or ones we didn't want. The ones we want are closer to $25.00 and up.

If you go with the Leapster, get the charger!! If you go with the Vsmile (full version) get the AC adapter.

 

[100AcreWood]

We have the regular V-Smile and the Leapster. DS4 got both for Christmas last year.
We love them both (I admit DH and I love playing with the VSmile, a lot). There are a few things that disappoint me about the Leapster. First of all, the games are more expensive.

Do you know if the joystick works with the VSmile Pocket?