Argos releases top toy predictions for Christmas 2017
Memorable childhood gifts including dolls and LEGO, as well as the latest tech driven toys, look set to dominate Christmas wish lists this year, according to leading UK toy retailer, Argos.
It has today released its predictions for the toys that will feature in letters to Santa across the country this year. They are:
Luvabella
LEGO Friends Sunshine Catamaran
Airhogs DR1 Official Race Drone
PJ Masks Headquarter Playset
Disney Cars 3 Lightning McQueen
Transformers: The Last Knight RC Sqweeks
Hatchimals & new ColleGGtibles
Fisher Price ‘Teach n Tag Movi’
LEGO BOOST
Paw Patrol Sea Patroller
Tiny Treasures Twin Set
SoundMoovz
Linzi Walker, chief toy buyer for Argos, who has been curating the list with her team since the beginning of the year, said: “This year’s top toys list is a fantastic blend, as toymakers evolve childhood favourites alongside the introduction of newer and more technology-led gifts.
“Dolls will have made Christmas memories for many children and this year is no different. Luvabella is an incredibly lifelike doll, with advanced animated features enabling it to drink milk from a bottle and fall asleep just as a real little one would. And Chad Valley has produced gorgeous twins as an extension of its authentic Tiny Treasures Baby Doll range.
“There are many opportunities for children and parents alike to embrace user-friendly technology this Christmas. LEGO Boost provides everything needed for children to make five different LEGO models that can then be coded using a free app. The Fisher- Price ‘Teach n Tag Movi’ is an interactive play buddy that helps kids learn on the go. And music lovers will love SoundMoovz, an exciting wearable tech toy for all ages where players can create their own beats and rhythms as they move by using Bluetooth-connected bands on their ankles or wrists.”
She added: “Popular on-screen toys are also set to feature, with appearances from Disney’s Cars 3 Lightning McQueen, PJ Masks Headquarter Playset, the Paw Patrol Sea Patroller alongside RC Sqweeks from Transformers: The Last Knight.”
Argos polled more than 1,000 parents of children aged 16 and under about their plans for Christmas 2017. One in seven parents (13 per cent) have already started buying presents for their children and almost a third (29 per cent) are planning to buy gifts for their kids over the summer.
The most popular choice amongst parents this year is a blockbuster gift, with over half (54 per cent) planning on purchasing a ‘gasp out loud’ present alongside a couple of stocking fillers.
Christmas is still set to be a family affair in 2017 and when it comes to ‘padding the pile’, a fifth of parents will be letting the wider family in on their present plans ensuring all bases are covered. And almost a quarter (23 per cent) will be creating a handy Christmas list to help them keep track!
The poll also found that the big kids in the family still enjoy Christmas toys too – 22 per cent of parents say they wish they had received the toys their children get at Christmas. This may explain why they are feeling extra generous this year; the average parent is happy to spend £114 on average on the main present, with parents in the North-East budgeting over £150 for the ultimate Christmas gift.
