Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Present tense
HOW TO SPEND IT WELL AT CHRISTMAS WITH PHILLIP SCHOFIELD
ITV, 8pm CHRISTMAS is fast approaching, and without sounding too bah humbug, it’s a stressful and expensive time of year.
Does your five-year-old really need the interactive, human-like Luvabella doll or Furreal Roarin’ Tiger that are this year’s must-have toys?
Is the Lightning Mcqueen remote controlled car worth the cash? Which board game will entertain the whole family on Christmas Day? And er, sorry, how much?
Tapping into all our festive fears, this consumer series sees Phillip Schofield explore the “must-have” and “don’t bother” buys, whether it’s gifts, gadgets, food, drink or decorations.
And it’s quite a funny investigation as Phillip – with help from celebs like Jonathan Ross and Stacey Solomon – road tests gadgets such as Cozmo the Robot, Soundmoovz and Bubblelick. Watching Phil chasing wine-flavoured bubbles to lick is certainly a sight to behold.
And a toyologist (surely this is a made-up title?) gives his predictions on this year’s best-sellers, with tips on how to get them.
Watch out for a comical scene where young children are tasked with testing 10 different toys, ranging from the hi-tech to basics such as colouring books, and that classic favourite – the cardboard box. For the sake of your wallet, keep your fingers crossed that the box wins...