Makin a List, Checkin it Twice

It's that time of year again...the turkey won't even be completely chilled in the fridge before the Black Friday rush begins to get everything the kids are wishing for.

Because the girls have outgrown the Wiggles, which is now on our beloved Disney Channel every morning at 7, they have commanded the remote and found Nickelodeon, which we never used to let them watch because of the commercials. Unfortunately, every commercial that comes on makes one of the girls say "I want that! Put it on the list" and "Oh, oh, oh, puh-leeeeeeease can we put that on the list?"

The list. They refer to it like it's Holy Grail. "THE LIST!"

We're very diligent to tell them that Santa Claus doesn't always bring something just because it's on the list. They shrug us off and roll their eyes when we say it.

Fiona wants anything with an Ariel on it. And a trompabone (trombone) and a drum set ("so I can bang bang bang crash all day long!" she says). Skylar wants some robotic dog that has a wet tongue, a scooter and some diamond-studded Bratz dolls. Fiona also wants some road cruiser that the diamond Bratz pile into. And then there are the things they ask to throw on "THE LIST" and they don't even know what they do or what they would be used for.

And everyone has a list. Toys "R" Us calls it the Fabulous 15. Toy Wishes calls it the Hot Dozen. Toy Insider calls it the Top 20.

Plenty of other resources are good stops when trying to figure out just what to get from the list. Today Show contributors Stephanie and Joanne Oppenheim do thorough testing, Chris Byrne (aka The Toy Guy) has fun all year long with toys, The National Parenting Center and Parents' Choice Foundation are two other good references. Dr. Toy always has a few tips, and Herb Weisbaum (aka Consumer Man) is taking a look at educational toys for MSNBC.com.

Herb makes a good point in his story: "Just because it’s on the shelf or advertised on TV doesn’t mean it’s a good toy. You can’t even go by what your kids tell you they want — they’re too easily swayed by TV commercials."

My suggestion: look for toys that have play value to them. Something that lights up or says the same thing over and over again doesn't have sustainable play value. My wife and I like to find the things that we know will spur role play (dress-up clothes, dolls), creativity (craft kits, LEGO), learning (like musical instruments) and repeated social/family play (board games -- we love the Cranium games like Hullabaloo and Balloon Lagoon!). Of course, we give way to some of the "hotter" things, but they don't dominate.

The big surprise this year: my wife and I love our iMac so much, we bought a Mac Mini for the girls, complete with some games and creative software. I can't wait until they see it (and start fighting over it) and let me get back to my iTunes and blogging on the iMac!

So this year, don't fret. Get organized, check the facts, read the reviews and opinions, and choose wisely. As long as you get one or two of the things on "the list," you can have your way with the rest.

P.S.: We're NOT going to be out in the mad shopping rush this time around on Friday -- instead, the whole family -- both sets of grandparents, aunt and uncle, my wife, girls and I -- are going to the movies to see "Happy Feet." With any luck, it could become our new day-after-Thanksgiving tradition to take in some good old film fun.

And probably will spur some additions to the toy list.