Background Story

Barbie 'Chic Vacation Gift Set' ($29.90)

Lego 'Bionicle' ($79.90-$139.90)

Transformer Animated 'Bumper Battlers' ($10-$49.90)

For younger children

Pull-Along Dancing Alligator ($29.90)

Meccano - Easy, Mechanical and Motorised Sets ($45-$60)

For the collector

Meccano Special Edition 100th Anniversary ($150)

Porsche Cayenne Turbo car model ($260)

Information from Tangs department store, The Better Toy Store, Action Toyz and Nikko

3 top-selling educational toys this Christmas

1 V Tech 'Write it Right' Learning Laptop ($59)

2 Viva Topo! board game ($79.90)

3 Djego Art Collection do-it-yourself kits ($19.90 to $49.90)

Saving on necessities

'There was a 50per cent sale, so I just bought what I needed and I made a saving.' - MS SUSAN TAN, 46, a housewife

A one-off splurge

'I bought some shirts, but it will probably be the only shopping I do all year.' - MR DANIEL POON, 21, a student