The Santa effect
It’s the most stressful time of the year for parents as they try to track down this year’s ‘‘must have’’ toys, reports Chloe Winter.
GOODBYE Frozen, hello Paw Patrol and Rubik’s Cube.
Last year’s Christmas list was headed by wooden trains, sand and water play tables, trampolines, and (of course) Frozen. This year it’s Nerf blasters, Paw Patrol playsets and Hatchimals.
Once Hatchimals – large plastic eggs with trainable baby birds inside of them – were branded the ‘‘hottest toy of the holiday season’’, they received a price tag to match – setting you back $130.
‘‘Kids seem to be very keen on raising their own toy pet friend this year,’’ TradeMe spokesman Logan Mudge said.
‘‘The five species of Hatchimals are one of the ‘it’ toys around the world this year, with reports they are virtually impossible to get hold of in North America and the UK. The message to parents is: don’t muck around.’’
And this message echoes that of Lonnica Van Engelen, the Lead Category Manager of Toys for The Warehouse.
‘‘The clear favourite this year has to be Hatchimals – demand has been phenomenal, we’ve sold out across the country,’’ she said.
‘‘Little Live Pets My Dream Puppy and the Shopkins series have also flown off the shelves in recent weeks.
‘‘Ongoing favourites Nerf, Lego and Zuru Bunch o Balloons products also continue to be popular sellers this year.’’
Based on TradeMe data and international trends, its likely Santa’s sack will also be jampacked with Lego Technic, Nerf blasters, the next-generation Furby, scooters, Paw Patrol toys, Shopkins, Rubik’s cubes, FurReal Friends, and Sylvanian Families.
Mudge said Lego was the only surviving toy brand from last year’s list and Nerf was going strong.
‘‘While many toys are making a comeback this year, Lego has never left... and the ‘cult of Nerf’ is alive and well.’’
There’s also a retro flavour this year thanks to Sylvanian Families, Furby, Rubik’s cubes and scooters.
‘‘Scooters have been a favourite of kids around the world for a century, but especially since MARION VAN DIJK / FAIRFAXNZ the 70s and 80s and they’re still cool in 2016,’’ Mudge said.
The surge in demand for Rubik’s cubes could be down to it celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, which had ‘‘seen its popularity jump amongst new users and nostalgic parents’’, he said.
‘‘They’ve brought out new versions... and it doesn’t hurt that the likes of Justin Bieber fancy themselves as Rubik’s gurus.’’