Price checkSaving moneyOld favourites given a new twist sit alongside modern gadgets – it's the dream toys vying for a place at the foot of the tree, and where you can get the best dealsThe "Dream Toys" for Christmas list includes a few old favourites alongside some new, and sparkly, additions. According to retailers, Furby has stood the test of time making the list of this year's most wanted gifts, just as it did in the original wish-list 15 years ago.
If you're looking for any of 2013's anticipated favourites, shopping around can save you a fortune. Here are the best deals currently available from the major chains, plus some tips on how to get the most for your cash.
Lego City Coastguard 60014 (recommended age five upwards)
Over the years Lego has had a regular place in this list. This set includes six mini-figures including the pilot, rescuer, "stricken people", two water cannons, a submarine, dinghy and lighthouse. You could pay around £60, but many retailers are offering better deals. Toys R Us is currently charging £39.99.
Doc McStuffins Doctor's Bag Set (recommended age three upwards)
This toy doctor set comes with a thermometer, syringe, light-up stethoscope, blood pressure cuff and bandage cuff. It's generally around £20, but Toys R Us is again best priced at £12.99.
Flutterbye Flying Flower Fairy (recommended age five upwards)
The fairy will fly guided by your hand, though does eat 6 AA batteries while doing so. Smyths and Toys R Us are best priced in-store at £23.29, but the latter has run out online.
Furby Boom! (recommended age six upwards)
Combining the old favourite soft toy with a virtual world. Your Furby Boom responds to you, remembers the name you give it, changes personality based on how you treat it, and dances away to your music. The Furby app is optional, allowing you to create baby Furbys.
Once again Toys R Us leads the field at £45.99, but it is out of stock on many designs and is limiting orders to two per customer. Smyths has all designs at the same price, while Asda has five designs at £48 each.
VTech InnoTab 3S (recommended ages three to nine years)
A children's tablet with a 5in touchscreen featuring a photo/video camera, secure internet browser, art studio and magic beanstalk game. One retailer wants £129 for it (even though the manufacturer sells it for £89 with a recharageable battery pack), but you can get either the blue or pink versions at Smyths for £69.99. You can also get the blue version for £71.89 via Toys R Us with a free Kidiwatch.
LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra (recommended for age four upwards)
With the 7in tablet you can write, draw, take photos and make videos, as well as play games, read eBooks and use the internet powered by secure browser Zui. Argos currently offers £33 off, asking £86.99 for the pink or green version.
Monopoly Empire (recommended for age eight-plus)
Yet another twist on a classic, this time you have a tower to fill with big name brand billboards. Monopoly can be high on the list of unfinished games, but Hasbro has tried to combat this by making Empire last around 30 minutes. Toys R Us win out again with an in-store £12.99.
Monster High 13 Wishes Doll (recommended for age six up)
The Monster High pupils have made it on to the list for a third year in a row. The dolls vary in price, but you would be top of the class if you paid £12.89 for Draculaura with Toys R Us or £12 at Asda for the Gigi doll.
Nerf N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike (recommended for age eight upwards)
Be prepared for persistent attack from behind the sofa with 18 darts that can fly up to 20 metres. You can always "forget" to buy the required batteries, at least giving you peace until Boxing Day. Toys R Us have the best in-store price at £23.99; John Lewis has it for £24.49; and Smyths for £24.79.
RoboFish and bowl set (recommended for three-plus years)
The tail activates when the fish hits the water. The bowl comes with one fish, although you can buy more. Available in-store with Toys R Us for £14.29 and at Smyths for the same price.
Teksta Robotic Puppy (recommended for five-plus years)
The puppy responds to your voice, gestures, lights and sounds and has more than 100 physical and interactive gestures, including a back flip. Available in pink and blue at Toys R Us for £46.89.
Other ways to save
Prices change rapidly, but there are some things you can do to get better value wherever you shop:
Look for voucher codes: websites like Savoo and Vouchercodes give discounts to retailers and brands, all you have to do is add the code, normally at checkout.
Get cashback by ordering through a third-party website. Quidco and Topcashback offer money back after your purchase, but you need to be registered with them.
Pay with a cashback credit card, or with a debit card offering cashback. Santander, for instance, is offering 123 accountholders 1% cashback on Amazon purchases.
Look for "click and collect". Some retailers have a better online price than they do in-store, but charge postage. Often you can avoid the postage by taking ordering on their website and picking up the product at a local outlet.
Use loyalty cards to pay – Christmas is a great time to spend your accrued credit. Tesco Clubcard, for example, is currently "boosting" their vouchers so that £5 equates to £10 in tokens for toys and games, which would allow you to buy the Doctors set mentioned above for £5.99.
Look out for "3 for 2" deals: at this time of year many retailers offer bulk-buy toys and games. As long as the prices work out better than the cheapest retailer, get together with friends and take advantage of the discounts offered. For example, Toys R Us is currently offering three Hasbro games for the price of two, meaning you could pick up three Monopoly sets for less than £9 each.
Use price promises. Some stores not only match on price, but beat the best available, although there tends to be restrictions and proof of the better price is required.
There are a multitude of great toys and games that have been around for years. Which do you love? Please add your thoughts below.
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