Even those who profess love for Christmas shopping can easily learn to hate it after fighting through the crowds of shoppers. Finding that perfect gift can make this time of year extremely stressful for many.
So KENS 5 did some investigative work this holiday season to help our viewers and compiled a list of the must-haves. Among them are hot items shoppers can still get their hands on.
Video games continue to fly off the shelves this year, but no surprise there.
“Wii, Xbox, and games are selling fast. Televisions, and Apple products are also popular” said Mark Martinez, a manager at the Best Buy at The Rim shopping center.
Electronic readers, however, are the No. 1 sellers, Martinez said. “We haven’t been able to keep them in stock.”
New this year is the colorful touchscreen e-book reader called the Nook Color by Barnes and Noble. This reader’s tablet resembles a shrunken iPad with built-in Wi-Fi and has newspapers and magazines in color. It will also read interactive picture books to children with the voice of narrators.
No. 2 on the list doesn’t read words, but it does understand body language.
Xbox 360 Kinect allows users to play games without a controller. You hook up Kinect to your gaming system, then step in front of the television and Kinect will respond to how you move, kick and jump. You can even control it with your voice.
No need to speak for choice No. 3, you just need to know how to draw.
The Wii uDraw Gametablet lets you draw using a stylus and then see your art on the big screen. It's like Pictiionary for the 21st century.
No. 4 on the list certainly drew our attention at the store. Sony’s Internet Google TV is a television that lets you surf the web, check Facebook and look at videos. You have two choices: You can either buy the integrated television or a Blu-Ray Player with Google TV integrated.
And for those shoppers who prefer to play it safe, it's hard to go wrong with Apple products.
That takes us to No. 5 on the list. The iPad is still in style and very much in demand. You can browse the Internet, view photos and videos and check your e-mail by simply touching the screen.
As for the little ones who aren't tech-savvy just yet, we visited Target for a list of some of the most popular 2010 toys.
No. 1 is Lalaloopsy, also known as Bitty Buttons dolls. These rag dolls come with their own stories and a pet.
Dancing Mickey is No. 2. It's a Fisher-Price Mickey Mouse unlike any other before it. It sings to the “Hot Dog Song” from the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He also tells jokes and says fun phrases.
Zhu Zhu Pets came in at No. 3. These are battery-operated hamsters that move around like a real animal in their playsets. Although popular since last year, many new Zhu Zhu Pets were made for boys this year.
And at No. 4 we have Sing A Ma Jigs, which are fun and cuddly creatures that love to sing. If you put them together in groups, they can sing together in perfect harmony.
Belinda Ortiz, a Target manager at one of the local stores, said boys’ action figurines have also been among the most popular toys this year.
If you still haven’t seen what you’re looking for, here are a couple of unusual ideas that also caught our eyes online:
Pet’s Eye View Digital Camera: http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/pets/afbc/
Electronic Rock Guitar Shirt: http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/interactive/e1aa/
We wish you stress-free holiday shopping this Christmas!
