After Toys R Us drew massive crowds last year with doorbuster deals like a $50 gift card with the purchase of an XBox 360, this year's toy deals are likely to fall short of expectations, said Jim Silver, editor in chief of TimetoPlayMag.com. Last year, "They were giving away money and that's not going to happen to the same extent," he said.
This time, retailers have reeled in their inventories to avoid those severe price cuts. That means even the season's hottest toys, like the LeapPad Explorer, will also likely be in short supply. "Have your kids make a list," Silver advised. "If they want a hot toy, buy it early."
Not only will those gizmos not be discounted later in the season, they could be sold out altogether.
What will kids be begging for this holiday season? Expect a lot of classic toys with a high-tech twist, according to TimetoPlayMag.com, which released its list of the year's hottest toys.
