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Toys place at the top of Christmas lists threatened by tech: What kids want for Christmas

What children really want for Christmas

Toy’s place at the top of children’s Christmas lists is being threatened by iPads and video games.

Those are the findings of research featured in the latest issue of toy industry publication Toy News. The research was carried out for the magazine by youth research specialists, Dubit to provide insight into what children across the UK will be asking Santa for this year.

Presents

Dubit asked the children to pick five types of presents to make up their imaginary Christmas list. The kids chose electronic devices the most (chosen by 59 per cent), followed by video games (53 per cent), money (44 per cent), and toys (39 per cent).

As the children get older, the most popular gifts change considerably. Those aged seven to eight favour toys (63 per cent), while nine to ten year-olds prefer electronic items (60 per cent). Gadgets are also top of 11-12 year-old’s lists but at that age girls favour clothes over any other present.

The least popular Christmas presents with children are novelty items, jewellery, and grooming. Unsurprisingly, 11-12 year-old girls buck this trend as they begin to take an interest in beauty products.

Toys

The children were also asked which types of toys they wanted to find beneath the tree – a toy was regarded as popular if it ranked in the top three.

For this, the toys were divided into nine categories, such as board games, action figures, and blocks.

Board games are the most popular toy - placing in the top three 124 times, followed by vehicles (105), pet animals (96), blocks (88) and puzzles (83).

Despite the prominence of video games in older children’s’ playtime, board games are popular with kids aged 9-10 and 11-12, as are puzzles such as jigsaws and Rubix Cubes.

Action figures and dolls only made the top three of 78 children’s lists, with just 14 boys putting them near the top compared to 64 girls.

Brands

Finally, the children were asked to pick three items for their Christmas list – three from the toys list and three for the sectors list (gadgets, money, toys, etc.)

The most popular words used were associated with technology brands, like Nintendo DS, Xbox, and iPhone.

Lego was the most popular toy brand to be mentioned by the children. This was helped by Lego’s move into video games and partnering with brands like Harry Potter and Star Wars. Other toy brands chosen by the children included Hello Kitty, Barbie and Harry Potter.

Samantha Loveday, editor of ToyNews magazine commented: “Although consumer electronics seem to be grabbing the attention of older kids, the more traditional toys are still firm favourites with younger children.

“It’s interesting to see that the toy suppliers that have made a move into video games – and video game suppliers which have launched into the toy space – seem to be higher on the agenda when talking to kids about brands. It appears that a mix of digital and traditional is a key combination for keeping kid’s interested as they grow up. However, it is nice to see that the good old board game is still top of the Christmas list where toys are concerned.”

Luxury Hampers Company Highland Fayre Encourage Everyone To Shop Safely Online This Christmas

With recent news that shopping online has risen over the previous month and year, luxury hamper company Highland Fayre are encouraging all shoppers to shop online safely, this Christmas.

With an increased number of shoppers now going online to find some bargains and great deals this year it's vital that remaining aware and taking a few simple steps can ensure that there are no problems this Christmas.

There are many simple and effective ways to help remain secure while shopping online that can be overlooked as the Christmas period approaches. Try the following:

1. Make sure before paying or entering any kind of card details there is an 'https://' prefix present in the address bar; this will clarify that the page is currently encrypted and it's safe to enter credit card information.

2. Try to find security badges such as VeriSign, Trust-E, and PayPal, before paying. This can give you confidence in using any particular website that there are safety measures already in place. Plus services like PayPal can prevent the requirement of card details having to be entered.

3. Lastly, always try to shop with reputable sellers. This can reduce the chances of falling into any kind of scam. Therefore ensure that there is a visible address and contact number, and remember to always view the privacy policy and returns policy before purchasing anything online.

A spokesperson from luxury hamper company, Highland Fayre, said: “By following these simple and straightforward safety checks you can be sure that there are no late surprises this year.”

“Shopping around and being wary of potential scams can help keep everyone on their toes this Christmas and make sure that those great deals are the real thing. Using reputable websites and sellers can help give you peace of mind this Christmas.”

For more information on Highland Fayre, view their website at: www.highlandfayre.co.uk/

With prices starting from as little as £19.00, they are sure to have ranges of gift hampers to suit all budgets.

Fairy Lights and Xmas Bikes with Savings in New DiscountVouchers.co.uk Deals

Consumers able to enjoy great value at B&Q and Halfords right now thanks to retail deals site

DiscountVouchers.co.uk, the website that helps UK consumers save money at more over 800 stores and suppliers, this week announces new money off coupons for saving money on Christmas gifts, lights and decorations from top stores B&Q and Halfords.

Top quality bikes for kids and adults alike can be had with savings this week thanks to the new choice of DiscountVouchers.co.uk deals redeemable at Halfords. With Christmas soon here mums and dads can use the latest Halfords vouchers to get great value deals like 50% Off Selected Apollo Kids Bikes and up to 50% Off Adult Apollo Bikes.

Every family likes to make their home look as festive as possible for the Christmas season, and this week sees new deals redeemable at B&Q help UK shoppers do so without breaking the bank. DiscountVouchers.co.uk is the place to go this week to get a new choice of B&Q vouchers which offer 3 for 2 on all Christmas Decorations and Christmas Lights from just £2.50.

Doug Scott, managing director at DiscountVouchers.co.uk, says, “Our website is always the place to find the very latest deals around from all the retail sector's top suppliers and retailers. This week sees us able to offer our site users money off great Christmas gifts, fairy lights and decorations for the home - perfect timing with the festive season fast approaching.”

DiscountVouchers.co.uk offers consumers money saving deals at major high street brands and specialist retailers, including stores like Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Travelodge, First Choice, lastminute.com and Boden.

For more information visit www.discountvouchers.co.uk

Davidstow Cheese for your Christmas cheeseboard

Davidstow has been making Cheddar in the heart of Cornwall for the last 60 years. It is this expertise and skill, combined with milk produced by generations of local farmers, that creates the two subtle and intricate Cheddars, the perfect additions to your festive feasts.

Davidstow Cornish Crackler extra mature cheddar is matured for 19 months. The result is an intense yet pleasant sweet flavour with bursts of flavour due to the naturally occurring crunchy crystals that the cheese acquires with age.

Wine and food matching expert Fiona Beckett, partners this cheese with some ripe fruit or soft tannins red wine, the Quinto do Crasto, made from the same grapes as port, goes really well with mature cheddar like the Crackler.

Davidstow Cornish Classic mature cheddar is matured for 14 months and has a perfectly balanced rich, long-lasting, full and ‘nutty’ flavour with a creamy texture and pale glow. Fiona suggests trying an oaked Chardonnay with this rich mellow Cheddar For a great match.

Two Michelin starred Cornish chef, Nathan Outlaw, whose restaurant Nathan Outlaw in Rock, recently received its second Michelin star, has partnered with Davidstow to create a collection of recipes.

See all of his recipes at www.davidstowcheddar.co.uk.
RRP: £3.99. Available at Sainsbury’s and www.milkandmore.co.uk
Twitter: @Davidstowcheese

Donald Russell meats

Royal Warrant holder and mail order butcher, Donald Russell (www.donaldrussell.com), is passionate about supplying its customers with only the best and its range of delicious food products are perfect for Christmas.

Browse from the huge selection of products online, for starters opt for Ultimate Gravadlax Salmon which has been lightly smoked over Oakwood chips, for your Christmas dinner choose between Free-Range Loué Geese, Free-Range Turkey, Easy Carving Roasts or a 5-Bone Rib of Beef, grass-fed and traditionally matured on the bone.

And for the perfect ending to your Christmas meal enjoy a Mosimann's Christmas Pudding created by legendary chef Anton Mosimann (prices on request).