Here are my reviews for the Christmas toys that show up when searching for "most popular Christmas toys" on Amazon.com. I’ve given my raves and warnings about the Toys R Us hot list, so I want to give my opinions about the toys that parents and grandparents are actually buying in 2011. Watch out…I can be brutally honest, but someone has to take on this awesome responsibility.
Top Christmas Toys on Amazon.com
Actually, this Amazon list has many things that aren’t technically toys, but I wanted to rate their most popular "Christmas toy" products. I will include things like CDs and computer games when appropriate.
1. The Original Christmas Classics DVD
This DVD has the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer cartoon and seven other cartoons that kids don’t need or that they can see on TV. People who give this set are lazy shoppers and I’ve never understood why someone would give a Christmas DVD for Christmas. Are the kids going to watch it in January? On the other hand, if you are having an adult party and you want to shove the brats in front of the tube because you can't get a sitter…I can’t even finish this sentence. Give these cartoons to your Baby Boomer friends with Alzheimer’s. About $50. (If you've already purchased this, give it to your kids before Christmas.)
2. Ballerina Treasure Music Box
This is not a bad little music box. It’s cheap and it’s small, which is great for kids living in apartments. It would be nice to add a little trinket (bracelet or necklace) that your darling can find when she opens one of the tiny drawers. It’s not a keepsake heirloom, but it does have a tiny twirling ballerina and it plays "Swan Lake". Not bad for a bit over $20.
This punky little purse looks like something Suri would carry, but I am giving this a thumbs up, anyway. This dress-up toy comes with:
- Play cell phone
- Plastic Keys
- Wallet with debit card (uhg)
- Pretend lipstick
- Unbreakable mirror
This sounds like a sexist toy from hell, but I think it is sweet. Every girl wants to be like her mommy and it’s a super way to encourage any girl’s imagination. It’s about $12.
4. Manhattan Toy Baby Stella Doll
I’ve always liked this doll and I give it a high rating in my article about the best baby dolls for toddlers and girls, but I want you to know that the doll comes without the bed (seen in the video). Hey, Isabella from the video is more interested in the doll than the carrier. Isabella is biting not kissing, but that's how small children learn about their surroundings. Around $30.
5. Christmas with the Beach Boys:
I like "Little Saint Nick" and "The Man with All the Toys", but I don’t know if I could listen to a whole album of Beach Boys. About $15.
6. LeapFrog Leapster SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Day
While I know that my step granddaughter loves her LeapFrog, I’m not a huge fan of “educational” toys that keep parents from spending time with their kids. My kids didn’t like this type of game when they were young, but this game gets good reviews online. Why not give your child a jar full of coins for Christmas and ask him or her to add them up before going to a store and spending the money? On the other hand, one good thing about SpongeBob is that the game uses lower-case letters. What’s the point of teaching kids to read using capitalized letters? Look at this page. What percentage of this is upper case?
7. Raffi’s Christmas Album
Kids love Raffi’s songs and parents don’t jump off of bridges at the sound of his voice. Actually, Raffi is a rock star among youngsters. But, get his Baby Beluga CD (or one of his other albums) instead.
8. Ty Beanie Baby Blues Clues Dog
This is adorable. If your tike likes Blues Clues (it’s one of the shows I like), this is a great, but small, stuffed animal. This plush toy might be one of those things your tot takes everywhere.
9. Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway Water Tower Figure 8 Set
Thomas the Tank has been around forever. He’s a classic. And, train sets are perfect for any young child. This 25-piece set includes:
- Thomas
- Sir Tophatt
- Red cargo car
- Water tower
- Stone bridge
The Thomas the Train Water Tower Set is about $35, but parents of means should definitely get more train pieces. Fear not, there are lots more parts you can buy to create your own little wooden Thomas world. I highly recommend this wonderful toy. Ages 2-5.
10. Lego Hogwarts Game
This game has two components. First of all, your kids get to build the board (put the Legos together). Then, there’s the game that is shown by the boy in the video. Younger kids can play if older kids give them help. The board is quite small, but it may be just right for kids. Tip: Buy a Lego plate (base) for about $5 to stabilize the game board. Ages 8-14. I think this game looks super. Most parents give this strategy game glowing reviews. About $30.
11. Singamajigs Yellow
Buy this for the child of someone you hate. Buy the family a whole choir of Singamajigs. (If you've purchased this for your own child, get a box of earplugs.)
12. Barbie Christmas Doll
Barbie is a cool doll but the Christmas dolls are mostly for collectors. This elegant 40’s style Barbie may need some accoutrements for good playability.
13. Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon 7965
I love Legos. I love Star Wars. I love this toy. Heck, I would have played with it…it’s a fabulous Lego set. So what if it’s not exactly like the movie, just buy a couple of army guys. This Lego set is expensive, but worth the money. About $113. Ages 9-14.
14. Squinkies
Most Squinkies are girl oriented, but some boys like them. I don’t think these should be the main Christmas gift, although they make good stocking stuffers. A pack of Squinkies could be doled out over 8 nights of Hanukkah. The price is right and little figurines (of all kinds) are good for acting out imaginary scenes.
15. WowWee Robosapien Humanoid Toy Robot with Remote Control
Whoa, you can make Robosapien do six different Kung Fu Moves and you can program this robot to react various ways to touch and sound. A NASA robotics physicist designed this amazing little droid. Robosapien is recommended for ages 6 months to 4 years, but I think it’s good for older kids. You can even get a book called The Robosapien Companion: Tips, Tricks, and Hacks (Technology in Action) which will turn Robosapien into a fun (covert) educational toy for kids. You might need to get dad his own Robosapien. This is a fabulous toy for a bit over $70.
I admit that these are just my opinions. You know your child better than I do. However, I’ve raised two daughters and I grew up in a family with two boys and two girls, and we were inundated with a feeding frenzy of toys each Christmas in the finest American-bourgeoisie manner of indulgence.
Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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