there is no end to the associated merchandise – clothing, books, character costumes, stationery, lunch boxes, underwear, pyjamas, umbrellas, placemats, plates, cutlery, pens, DVDs, CDs and of course, Anna and Elsa dolls. In the immediate wake of the fi lm being released last December several retailers ran out of Frozen due to sheer demand so our advice is to stock up early on all things Anna and Elsa.
Barbie has always had a fi rm spot on Christmas lists but this year between Anna,
gather together under one roof to brave the horrors of high school”). The new dolls are a new sort of ‘monster’ a hybrid – The Freaky Fusion Hybrids are Bonita Femur – part Skelton, part moth; Avea Trotter – part centaur, part harpy and Sirena Von Boo part ghost and part mermaid. If you are over 12 you probably won’t see the appeal but your tweenie daughter will.
Odd looking creatures have always been part of the Dr Who universe. As the 8th series of the returned Doctor Who kicked off this year the doctor regenerated into his 12th form (actor Peter Capaldi). With a new doctor there are always new toys including a new 12th Doctor action fi gure, several books and even a Doctor Who 2015 Diary which looks like a Tardis (which some Mums might like themselves).
Elsa and
the Monster High dolls she’s not getting the attention she used to. Anyone without girls might wonder what a Monster High doll is – they’re fairly new having been introduced in 2010 but little girls love them. For Christmas there’s a whole new cast of dolls arriving at Monster High (“where the world’s legendary monsters
Board games never go out of fashion and it isn’t a traditional Christmas till you’ve played a marathon game of Monopoly over a few days and everybody has fallen out over it. In the interests of family unity perhaps Scrabble or Snakes ‘n’ Ladders might be a better bet.
There’s no way of sugar- coating the fact that toys can be
expensive. However there are ways to diminish costs around Christmas. Keep an eye on local web forums – (parents, selling, '‘freecycling’') as you will often fi nd people trying to make space by getting rid of unwanted toys. Don’t be fooled into thinking people only want to rid themselves of tat – plenty of second-hand goods are practically pristine and sometimes you will fi nd a whole box of Lego going for less than half price or even free.
Charity shops are also a good place to source toys. You need to buy well in advance in order to check that everything that needs to be in the box is there. Again, there’s a preconceived idea that things in charity shops are somehow faulty. No doubt some are but the majority of donations are made by people freeing up room in their house and getting rid of things that aren’t used.
Another good way to keep costs down is to keep an eye on supermarket voucher ‘boost’ schemes. Often around this time of year supermarkets will off er to double or triple the value of your loyalty card points – meaning you can use a voucher valued at £20 to purchase a toy of £60. (Please check the details before committing to purchase).
DODDINGTON HALL, LINCOLN. LN6 4RU ESTATE OFFICE: 01522 694 308
www.doddingtonhall.com
Choose a beautiful freshly-cut home-grown Christmas tree from Doddington Hall. Displayed in our atmospheric courtyard with Bauble Barn and new Toy Box shop with traditional toys and giſt s for children. Also, treat the family and enjoy the magical House decorations or pick up seasonal treats from the Farm Shop.
Trees on sale from Saturday 29 November. Open daily from Sat 29 Nov 9am-6pm (Sun 10.30am- 4.30pm, browsing from 10am); Christmas Eve 9.30am-3pm.
MEET SANTA & EXPLORE OUR WINTER WONDERLAND
29th November to 24th December (opens 12pm on Saturday 29th November)
£6.50 per child accompanying adults free* BOOKING ADVISED TO GUARANTEE YOUR VISIT
Book online at
oldrids.co.uk or at the Accounts Desk on the ground floor £1 booking free per transaction applies.
*Maximum of 4 accompanying adults per child, additional adults £1.50 each.
EXPLORE OUR WINTER WONDERLAND 29th November to 24th December
£1.50 per person • Tickets available on the day
EXPERIENCE A LITTLE WINTER WONDER IN OUR GIANT SNOWGLOBE OPEN NOW UNTIL CHRISTMAS
Enjoy a snowball fight and take some fantastic festive photos £5 for 5 minutes for up to 7 people Tickets available on the day
29TH TO 24TH
NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Gonerby Moor, A1, Grantham, Lincs. NG32 2AB • 01576 512333
www.primarytimes.net/lincolnshire 11
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