Toys R' Us offers their annual list of the must-have holiday toys, and we narrow it down to five.
Every year around this time, Toys "R" Us steps up to the internet podium and announces its "Fabulous 15," a list of the 15 toys that the store thinks are going to be the hottest buys of the season.
Some folks say that the Fab 15 is just a gimmick to push "Big Toy's" agenda of selling more toys. We say that the fact that only a third of the items on the list are Toys "R" Us exclusives reveals that that is nothing more than jaded thinking. (Well, at least it's down from last year, when it was half exclusives!)
For children, however, the Fab 15 is the herald of the formal start of the holiday season. Tots are now, officially, allowed to daydream about what toys they want, make a list, and constantly badger their folks about presents. Parents, however, are now allowed to have nightmares about where on earth they're going to find these hot toys and avoid an under-the-tree "scene" come Christmas morning. (Of course, smart parents and gift-givers will simply set up an email alert and let the toys deals come to them. Just sayin'!)
No matter what you think of it, in the past, this list hasn't been far off the mark in predicting the hottest toys. You might as well keep your eye on these 15 toys, and in particular, our picks for the five "best" items on the list.
Charmazing Jewelry Kits
$14.99 + free in-store pickup; a Toys "R" Us exclusive
We chose this one simply because it was the cheapest item on the list; and with an MSRP of $14.99, it's not that cheap, either. Maybe Toys "R" Us thinks that kids these days can't be "wowed" for under $15? Oh, and if it's unclear, it's a build-your-own jewelry set — but one that links to a mobile app, for some reason.
Transformers Age of Extinction Chomp and Stomp Grimlock Figure
$69.99 with free shipping
If you've ever tried to help a child transform a Transformer on Christmas morning, then you'll know why we picked this one-step, easy-transforming toy. Your kid gets an awesome toy that stands over 20" tall and you don't get a headache having to perform a 150-step transforming process that's more painful than Kafka's. Trust us, this one is a gift to your kid and you.
$19.99 + free shipping via Prime at Amazon
Pull his arms outward and he screams. Pull them farther and his screams get higher. This is depraved and scary and borders on torture — and we wish it had been around when we were kids. (Except we would have wanted a Donatello version which, very uncool-ly, does not exist.)
Skylanders Trap Team Starter Pack
$74.99 with free shipping at Toys "R" Us
Last year, TRU also selected a Skylanders set for inclusion on its Fab 15, and those who didn't jump on a full-price preorder were rewarded with a 50% savings on Thanksgiving. Better still, the prices plummeted in the new year, and you can now pick up that once-$75 set for a mere $18. (But just you try giving a cost/benefit analysis to a crying 10-year-old on the eighth night of Hanukkah!)
LEGO FUSION Town Master
$34.99 + $5.99 s&h; a Toys "R" Us exclusive
Technological innovations in the LEGO fun-space means you will no longer accidentally step on your kids' errant LEGOS in the dark. Creating a game which is part LEGO and part mobile app means you will step on your kids' errant LEGOs and your very expensive iPad in the dark! The future is great!
Well, regardless of whether it's altruistic or a devious corporate ploy, let's all just try to celebrate the Fabulous 15 for what it is: the appe-toy-ser to the entire feast that is the holiday season! Check out the entire Toys "R" Us Fabulous 15 and tell us which toys you like in the comments section below.
And if any of those price tags are making you lightheaded at being light-walleted, set up an email alert for your favorites to see when they receive substantial discounts.
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