Buying Christmas toys can be a frustrating business. Popularity does not necessarily mean quality and very often, the item in most demand can be impossible to find in the shops. But try explaining that to your little Johnny or Jane who has yet to forgive you for not finding a "Buzz Lightyear" 12 months ago.
To avoid disappointment this time round, it is advisable to get into the shops as early as possible and, above all, use your child as your main guide as to what to buy. Other factors worth considering include the propensity of the toy to go out of vogue shortly; how many accessories and embellishments it requires; and whether it offers any educational benefit.
This year's red-hot product is the Teletubbies, a group of four furry aliens made famous through their BBC children's television programme. Demand for the soft toys has reached such extraordinary heights that parents are willing to queue for hours to meet their latest consignments from the Far East.
Last month, a near riot was caused at Smyths toy shop in Tallaght, Dublin when a batch of 96 Teletubbies arrived - four days after some parents had started queuing for them.
Mr Noel Gilmore, assistant manager at the Smyths head office in Galway, says "every second phone call we get is from people looking for Teletubbies". While Smyths may receive a further batch before Christmas, he says, it would only go a small way to meeting demand.
With the Teletubbies effectively off the market, traditional toys - notably Barbie and Action Man - are selling strongly. As one Argos salesman put it: "It's the year of nostalgia."
Although there is no obvious educational advantage to either Barbie or Action Man, both are appealing to parents in that the basic models are relatively cheap and never seem to go out of fashion. In addition, children can collect various accessories which means they tend not to get bored with their purchases too quickly.
For children of six years old and under, Sesame Street and Barney reign supreme. "Tickle Me Elmo", a giggling, cuddly version of the Sesame Street character priced at £26.95, caused stampedes in US toy stores when launched last year, and is selling strongly here along with "Talking Barney" at £32.99.
The undisputed queen of the doll market is Baby Boom (£32.85), which boasts seven life-like functions: it "drinks, wets its nappy, cries real tears, eats its food, soils its potty, squeezes and is moveable". A wide range of accessories is available, from bibs at £3.99 to a playroom and bed at £39.99.
For the more creative child, Lego remains a popular choice with building blocks designed for children aged three years old and upwards. Prices for sets range from £6.99 to £49.95, depending on their size.
In the teenage market, Lego Technic has a strong competitor in K'Nex, which can be used to build model machines or vehicles with moving parts.
Alternatively, the Crayola Creative Station (£20.95) - packed with crayons, markers, stencils and stamps, and contained in a neat, portable case - is perfect for the budding artist.
Particular care should be taken when purchasing electronic toys. Each video games system has its own specific selection of games. All require a television set for their use, which is worth bearing in mind if you ever hope to see your favourite programmes again.
The three main systems, in increasing popularity, are the Sega Mega Drive II, keenly priced at £75 with six free games; the Nintendo 64, reduced to £100 in most shops this Christmas; and the Sony PlayStation at £130.
The portable, pocket-sized Nintendo Gameboy remains a big seller at £36. Unlike the other video games systems, it works with games which are bought outside Europe.
Also doing well this year are Vtech electronic learning toys. For the aspiring yuppie, the talking laptop telephone at £19.99 is a must. More advanced models teach grammar and algebra, and include trivia tests and word processing functions.
The other big seller this year is Spice Girls merchandise. In a rare marketing blunder, the famous five decided to delay the launch of their toy figures until the New Year. However, they are represented with products ranging from flasks and lunch-boxes to watches and cameras, priced £2.50 upwards.
And let's not forget last year's best-seller Buzz Lightyear, the steely hero from Disney's smash-hit movie Toy Story. This time round, the toy figure, with retractable helmet, wing release and four programmed phrases, including the unforgettable "to infinity and beyond", is widely available at £29.95. However, toy shops predict he will sell out before Christmas. You have been warned.
