This year’s toy gift craze that is all about the wrapping paper
IT’S every parent’s frustration when their child prefers cheap wrapping paper to the painstakingly chosen gift contained inside.
However, one new toy is capitalising on this by offering a doll where wrapping is half the point.
The LOL doll makes the most of the “unboxing” trend, which commonly involves Youtube stars racking up millions of page views by filming themselves unpacking a new toy or gift. In the case of the LOL doll, children must delve through seven layers of paper and wrapping to reveal a threeinch figurine. The ultimate version, called the LOL Big Surprise, contains multiple dolls and has been sold out at the UK’S biggest retailers since Black Friday, reportedly causing panic among parents.
It’s set to be this year’s biggest Christmas craze – and desperate parents are paying almost double the recommended retail price of £59.99 to get hold of it. Amid the uncertainty, website retailers on Amazon and ebay are attempting to cash in by selling LOL Big Surprise for £98.95, more than 50 per cent more than its usual price. The LOL Big Surprise’s success comes despite a number of scathing reviews from parents claiming the product is poor value for money. The same dilemma is also faced by parents hoping to buy two more of this year’s popular Christmas toys: the Luvabella doll and Toilet Trouble, a novelty board game.
All three toys were included on the Dreamtoys list of top toys for Christmas 2017 published last month and have seen a surge in sales since the list was released. Analysis by Lovethesales. com shows they have been unavailable at most retailers since Black Friday weekend.
Luvabella, which usually sells for £99.99 is a realistic baby doll who moves her eyes, giggles, and has trueto-life facial expressions. Through touch and play she affectionately responds to human interactions. Amazon.co.uk has the doll in stock but is charging up to £145.80 for it, around
‘Its £99.99 in stores, never in stock. If I can’t find it, I’m going to have to buy it on ebay but it’s £150-plus’
50 per cent more than the usual price. An African American version is on sale for as much as £250 on ebay.
One desperate mother took to social media: “Luvabella African American dolls been out of stock everywhere for ages! It’s £99.99 in stores, never in stock. If I can’t find it in store I’m going to have to buy it on ebay but it’s going for £150+. If anyone’s seen it, let me know please.”