
The Christmas season traditionally brings out the best in toy manufacturers, who are eager to make their products the must-haves for the big day. With fierce competition from rival companies, toy makers pull out all the stops when releasing the most advanced and appealing products in time for December. Thanks to online shopping, it's now easier to order products ahead of time to avoid disappointment or waiting around in queues.Christmas 2010 saw a number of exciting toys hitting the shelves and promptly disappearing into stockings and gift wrapping, among them many advanced electronics products. Games such as Boggle Flash proved to be a big hit not only with kids, but for all the family, putting a 21st century spin on the classic, educational word game by using the electronic blocks themselves to keep score.It's not only games that proved popular in the digital realm however, with some of the top products being commendable in other ways. Paper Jamz Instant Rock Star goes o ne step further than music-based video games by encouraging budding musicians to pick up their instruments and play - even if they're made of cardboard - while the Kidizoom camcorder could provide invaluable experience to future filmmakers.While educational products and games can be intelligent gifts, there's no denying that Christmas is the time for more simplistic enjoyment in the form of childrens toys - and this Christmas saw many classic products proving eternally popular with the younger generation. Lego is one such example, with the City Airport and City Fire Station being festive must-haves. Some of the biggest hits were even more traditional in nature, like Ladybird's Wooden Dolls House.Toys based on popular TV and film franchises are always successful over Christmas, and 2010 was no exception. With Toy Story 3 being one of the biggest hits of the winter season, Mattel UK's Buzz Lightyear Jet Pack was a sure-fire hit, and Doctor Who's Sonic Screwdriver continued to spell success for the BBC show's merchandising.Furry toys are another popular aspect of Christmas too, and with toys like Hasbro's FurReal Go Go Walking Pup, ZhuZhu Hamsters from Character Options and Sylvanian Families expanding its line ever further, parents were spoiled for choice when buying exciting gifts for their young ones. That's not to say the Christmas period was dominated by old favourites though, with Golden Bear's Ben and Holly's Castle and Casdon's Hetty Cleaning Trolley being interesting new releases that became surprise hits.
The magnificent Zhu Zhu Pets Princess Castle