Batman has countless fans all over the globe, and as Xmas is racing towards us faster than the Batmobile, the time is right to consider what to get in the way of presents for the Batman fans in your life. Due to the cross-generation appeal of the Caped Crusader, there are a number of merchandise and collectables available in shops for fans both old and young.

For fans of the well-known Batman comic books there is an enormous range of graphic novels and special edition Batman books in shops to check out and collect, and for fans of the animated incarnations of Batman there are some brilliant Batman action figures in shops. For fans preferring the movies, like recent runaway success The Dark Knight, there are also action figures however additionally there are statues and every manner of higher quality collectables to fill each supporter’s Batcave.

For the Batman supporter who already has all of the DVDs and graphic novels, what about Batman Lego toys? There are some brilliant play sets and kits in shops that everyone can enjoy. In a similar way, what about the Batman Lego video game? The choices are endless. Sadly, as some of the most desired merchandise and collectables are no longer being produced, the prices of these items can become very high, however there are still a brilliant amount of merchandise, games and different items based mostly on the Batman character out there for each pocket.

While choosing a Batman gift for a faithful supporter, then, it’d be best to try to discover things that match in with their specific interest with Batman. Thus, make certain you are aware if they prefer the movies, the comics, the video games, the TV shows or whatever. This is often right down to the very fact that the planning of the characters, and indeed the tales, change from line to line and medium to medium.

Hardback books or special edition DVDs are great for older fans, and merchandise and action figures could well match higher for the younger fans. Check out the varied official Batman Goods available on-line, and see how many Batman adventures the fans you know can have !

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Although the Zhu Zhu Pets were only released in August of this year, they have become a runaway success already. Kids across the nation have just gone crazy for the cute little motorized hamsters that include artificial intelligence which allows them to interact with their surroundings, other Zhu Zhu hamsters and the kids who are playing with them.

Apart from the fact that these robot hamsters are small, cute and furry, kids just love the interaction. The team of hamsters – Mr. Squiggles, Chunk, Pipsqueak, Patches and Num Nums – have a library of forty different sounds which they produce when given the appropriate cue. For example, when they go into the bathroom of their hamster habitat, they make tooth brushing sounds. If they go into their hamster bedroom then they produce snoring noises.

However, lots of retailers have quite deliberately set stock levels of toys in general at unusually low levels this year. This is partly due to the current economic climate and partly due to the fact that stock levels were too high last year. A lot of retailers had to offer big discounts in order to clear their shelves.

It’s easy to see the reasoning behind the decision – but considering upon the evidence thus far, the retailers may have misjudged the mood of consumers. Popular toys such as the Zhu Zhu pets and Mattel’s Mindflex game are flying off the shelves. Demand is much higher than supply and it’s becoming hard to find these toys in the shops. This is only going to get worse in the run up to Xmas.

Now having realised their mistake, many retailers are now ordering new stock. However, most toys are produced in the Far East nowadays. This means that delivery will include a sea voyage of four weeks or so. Arranging new stocks in time for Christmas might be easier said than done.

As a consequence of the disparity between supply and demand, it is now possible to find Zhu Zhu hamsters on eBay for more than $ 150. That’s way above the recommended retail price – and these prices could rise higher still as we approach Xmas. It does seem like an excessive price to pay for a child’s toy which, although it is the latest fad, is highly likely to be yesterday’s news in just a few short months.

If you don’t want to pay an excessive price for the latest trend, then you could always look at more traditional gifts this year. Classic traditional toys such as Lego, Scrabble, Monopoly and Hornby Dublo train sets are classics for a reason. They are always a welcome addition to any kid’s toy collection and they will most likely still be in use and giving pleasure long after this year’s fad is forgotten.

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