Remember when we were kids and there was a run on Cabbage Patch toys? Think Christmas circa '84, '85, somewhere in there. Every girl just HAD to have one. Parents were in a frenzy to BUY them. Then the manufacturers went on to market and create the same frenzy over Cabbage Patch Preemies the next year. Then Cabbage Patch silk-haired dolls.(You could actually brush the hair!) I think mine was named Elyse Izadora. It had a birth certificate and everything.
Some evil (brilliant?) sales executive said "Yeah! What a great idea! We'll short order a supply of a toy we think every kid will want. We'll market the hell out of it. We'll advertise like crazy and they'll be so few in stock, they'll just fly off the shelves! We'll play upon the competitive, sick nature in parents. We'll guilt them into to clawing through the toy shelves so that their child won't feel left out!"
That guy also invented Elmo, and talking Elmo, and dancing Elmo, etc. I am pretty sure he is indirectly responsible for killing that guy in the Walmart stampede, as well.
Anyhow...it's 2008 and the "HOT" must-have item for boys 3-7 years old this Christmas is this:

The Batman Mega Cape. Retail Price at KB Toys $49.99 (Sale price at Walmart the day after Thanksgiving $30.00= Stampede.)
I never thought I'd be one of those parents. But.... (sigh.) I have looked at least 10 different places for this thing when it was on sale, and it's always sold out. My boy is absolutely nuts about getting it. I refuse to pay $49.99 for it online or otherwise...so I guess our son will have to be happy with whatever else he is getting and finally learn about the New Year's Panda.
What is the New Year's Panda, you ask?
The New Year's Panda comes on New Year's Day to all good little boys and girls who didn't get what they wanted on Christmas day from that old hack, Santa. The New Year's Panda understands the value of a dollar, a hard days work, and shops on clearance after Christmas. I am pretty sure the PANDA has about 12 of these batwings tied to his bamboo shoot sleigh! Now, don't feel bad for my poor son. He is getting absolutely spoiled, as usual. I will get those Batman Wings for him, of course. (It's too built up of a challenge NOT to!)
I would like to attempt a totally handmade Christmas one year, and I half-attempted it this year. Instead of buying toys for our friends' kids, Lucas helped me make a cozy Christmas eve blanket for each one. (20 in total!) I think they turned out great given my wonky "organic" sewing skills. Thank goodness my husband took home economics (since I didn't,) and he prevents me from kicking my sewing machine on a regular basis! Our son also "helped" with the sewing. It was quite fun, imperfections and all! Toys are more fun of course, but a practical gift is okay once in a while!
(Click to enlarge photos.)


If you aren't into "crafts" with a capital C... you could also come up with something equally thoughtful and creative like Stephanie's friend did at Cottage Thoughts. I love the idea of giving someone a taste of another city, in a box. She received "London in a box" from a friend traveling abroad. Her box included a beautiful tin of English Breakfast tea, an antique teacup, a candle, two chocolates wrapped in paper decorated with London scenes, two dried tea roses, and an envelope of British pence to show to her children. Even without the Spice Girls and the Queen...you get the flavor of the city. Simple, sweet, and thoughtful.Those types of gifts beat out lame gift cards, (you mind as well give cash in a box..) DVD's, and all the plastic, overpriced Batman crap you can handle!