While Santa is putting the final touches on his list of which kids have been naughty or nice, parents everywhere are scrambling to malls, shopping centers, toy stores and onto the Web in search of the perfect holiday gifts for their kids. This year, it’s easier than ever to go over-budget when buying your kids what’s on the top of their holiday wish lists. Among newly divorced parents, absentee parents, and those who feel guilty for having to hold down a job (instead of focusing exclusively on raising their kids), spending a bit extra on their kids’ gifts is all too common.  


10 TOP TOY PICKS FOR THE HOLIDAYS              

Toys like Barbie dolls, Lego and classic board games are a proven favorite year after year, and always can be counted on to provide countless hours of fun. This year in particular, anything having to do with Disney’s High School Musical (including the DVDs, books, games, and dolls) are also extremely popular.           

 For less expensive and collectible toys, Webkinz (www.webkinz.com) and Littlest PetShop (www.Hasbro.com/littlestpetshop/) are extremely popular among kids in the five to 10 age group. With the shopping days before Christmas dwindling quickly, the following list features Divorce360’s top 10 toy and gift picks (listed in alphabetical order), should help you easily choose something that’s affordable - and equally important, age appropriate – for your kids.           

1.  American Girl dolls. 
For anyone with a daughter who plays with dolls, you probably already know that the American Girl dolls (and Bitty Baby dolls for girls, ages three to six) aren’t just another popular toy line. These dolls and their related products, accessories and clothes, have become a nationwide phenomenon. Created in 1986 by Pleasant T. Rowland, the company was acquired by Mattel, Inc. in 1998. These dolls aren’t available at your local toy store, however.

You’ll need to visit an American Girl Place retail store in Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta or Dallas, or visit the Americangirl.com website to purchase them. (According to the American Girl Web site, you have until December 20th to place your order and guarantee Christmas delivery, although rush charges will apply.) The dolls themselves are priced around $100 each, however, a wide range of accessories, designer outfits and books are available and sold separately. There’s also a bi-monthly American Girl magazine that makes a great gift. Oh, and a movie is in the works for a July 2008 release. Mattel reports that since 1986, more than 13 million American Girl dolls and 117 million American Girl books have been sold worldwide.