And stores are being more narrow this year in their return policies in an effort to keep shoppers from getting their money back. The National Retail Federation estimates that 13% of stores tightened the rules for certain merchandise- especially electronics like cameras, cell phones, and personal computers, and stores like Target, Sears and Wal-Mart have made their return periods shorter, and many will try and give you a gift card to encourage you to buy something else.

Target, for example, has cut their return window in half, from 90 to 45 days for all returns, rather than just videogames, DVDs, and electronics. And all items must be in original packaging – unopened and sealed. Walmart, drastically cut returns to 15 days for cameras and other electronics. If your toy was bought online at Amazon, you may return most new, unopened items sold and fulfilled by Amazon.com within 30 days of delivery for a full refund, which usually takes about 2-3 weeks (although most refunds are fully refunded in 3-5 days after receipt and processing). Toys R Us seems to have the most liberal return policy with most items falling under a 90 day return period, but there are exceptions: Video Games, Accessories, and Systems, Computer Software, DVDs, Music, Electronics, Radio-Control Items, Trading Cards, Collectibles all must be returned within 45 days.

Photo credit: CNN Money

For a list or return policies, check out this article by ABCNews.

For Girls:

1. Barbie – let’s face it, you can’t go wrong with Barbie. At 50 years old, she’s still hot and fashionable and with the new I Can Be a Computer Engineer Barbie, she’s putting forth a great message that girls can be anything they want.

2. Bizu Style Studio – With Bizu Studio, girls can make their own jewelry and accessories. Comes complete with beads, Beading Tool, 4 Character Templates and 2 Key-Chain/Backpack Attachments.

3. Fur Real Friends Electronic Pets - Nothing beats a puppy for Christmas. And with the realistic fur and interactive nature of the Fur Real Friends, kids can have that special friend without parents worrying over potty training! When you talk to her, she responds with a puppy babble. Give her a bone, she makes crunching sounds like she’s chewing it. And pet her back and she barks and wags her tail.

4. WowWee Paper Jamz Pro Mic Series – with Paper Jamz Pro Mic series, kids can live the rock star fantasy of their favorite stars. Features 2 built-in songs, auto mode that adjusts effects on the fly, Perfect pitch to keep you in tune, auto harmony sound, and a Chorus Multiply mode

5. Gift cards – When in doubt, the all purpose gift is a gift card. And if you give an iTunes gift card, you’re turning your coolness factor up to 11.

For Boys –

1. NERF – It’s NERF, or Nothin’. That’s the slogan and it’s true. Boys love the Nerf NStrike toys and the new disc shaped Vortex line is a must have for the holidays. Greater range, cooler designs, and disc shaped darts. But if you don’t want to risk getting something they already have, you can always just get accessories like more ammo or the cool bandoliers (you can’t have enough clips), or don’t worry about it, you can always use a second gun!

2. Hot Wheels Video Racers – With a video camera built into it, the Hot Wheels Video Racer gives a driver’s eye view of all the action. And every kid has the fantasy of racing on a Hot Wheels track. So this is a must. Just make sure you bring a track if your Nephew doesn’t have one. Or if he does, more track is always welcome.

3. LEGO – There’s no way you can go wrong with a LEGO building set. Because one, kids can always use more bricks and b) with sites like Rebrickable, the more sets you have, the more sets you can build you don’t have! And if you’re kid is into a certain line – like Ninjago, Star Wars, or especially the new DC Super Heroes line, they’ll certainly think you’re the coolest Uncle or Aunt on the planet with a new set under the tree!

4. Video games – What kid doesn’t like video games? And with new titles like SkyRim, Portal 2, and Little Big Planet 2, there’s a great game for all ages.

5. Gift Cards – Why a gift card? Well, kids love to choose their own toys and they’re likely to get more cards from other family members. Adding to the talley means they can get larger gifts or multiples. And if you’re the Uncle who gives the card that gets them over the top on a huge gift, he’ll remember you for it!

The Star Wars Death Star Trench Run set is on sale for $89.99, plus you get a free $10 “Star Wars Bucks” gift card good for purchases in 2012. But Star Wars deals aren’t the only sales … you can pick up a nifty Crayola Digital Camcorder for about $40 for that budding Steven Spielberg in the family, Marvel Super Hero Squad action figure sets for about $8, buy one get one at 50% all LEGO sets, $30 Nintendo 3DS, 50% electric guitars, bikes for $50, free games with the purchase of an XBox Kinect controller … there’s even a wired PS3 controller for FREE with the purchase of a PS3 game system (and they’ll toss in a $25 TRU gift card)!

The two day sale ends tomorrow night, with TRU staying open round the clock until then. But I wouldn’t wait until the last, last minute because that store will look like a picked over warzone by then!

Hat Tip – Rebel Scum

In 1920, nearly 50 years before I was born, the top toys for Christmas were the Teddy Bear, Erector Set, and Lionel Trains. Noteworthy facts about each, the Teddy Bear was named after former President Teddy Roosevelt – who refused to shoot a black bear while on a hunt. and Lionel Trains is now owned by musician Neil Young.

Then, in my era, the hot toys were Rock’em Sock’em Robots, Barbie, GI Joe, and the introduction of a little juggernaut known as Star Wars action figures. It also marked the beginning of what would soon come to dominate the toy world, as video games like PONG were the obsession of every kid willing to forsake outdoor play for watching a little white dot bounce back and forth across the screen.

By the 1990s and 00s, video games were well entrenched as kids have wanted Game Boys, Playstations, Nintendos and XBoxes. Yeah sure, kids have wanted action figures like Power Rangers and Buzz Lightyear, LEGOs and Transformer Dolls (and remember POGs?), but it’s clear that kids trends have gone from imaginative play and building things, to virtually blowing stuff up while networked with other kids all around the world. For a peak into the evolution, check out the timeline here.

Nielsen conducted the survey and they found that the number one “toy” that children aged 6 to 12 want for Christmas is the iPad 2. Kids 13 and up also asked for an iPad. All told, a whopping 44% are asking Jolly Ole St. Nick for Apple’s miracle tablet. But they’re electronic tastes also extend to other technology …

Thirty percent of children want an iPod Touch, 27% want an iPhone (that’s 101% if you’re paying attention – Cupertino), then followed a computer, an Android tablet, Nintendo 3DS, Kinect for Xbox 360, Nintendo DS/DSi/DS Lite, Playstation 3, television set, and Android smartphone (non iPhone). At the end of the tike tech list, came a Blu-ray player. And the same tech obsessions don’t abate as a child gets into their teens.

All told, kids really want technology for Christmas. And that means games. It seems that kids have jetisoned the tired old vibe that imaginative play is the best thing for a kid. The heck with that. Who wants imaginative play when Call of Duty and Skyrim are out? Who wants to imagine G.I. Joe storming a machine gun nest when kids can lob a pair of Angry Birds overheard?

But there’s a slight disconnect as the economy seems to show that while kids are asking Santa for hi tech toys, it’s more likely that the ripe Jolly Ole Elf and Mrs. Claus either won’t be able to afford it, or will go deeper in debt to keep visions of sugar plums dancing in their kids heads.

Hat Tip – Sound and Vision Magazine

The Marines have been collecting Toys for Tots since 1947. Semper Fi!

And it’s grown far beyond and extra curricular activity for off duty Marines. In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved making the annual Toys for Tots drive an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve. Over the last 62 years, the US Marine Corps Reserve have distributed over 400 million toys to more than 188 million needy children and the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation has added to the toy collections by purchasing nearly a half billion dollars in toys to insure that no child gets left behind at Christmas.

And this year, as with any year, the campaign needs your help. You know the mission – pick up an unwrapped toy for a boy or girl and look for one of those dashing jarheads sitting next to a collection box near the entrance to the store. Or, you can Swing by http://www.toysfortots.org/ to make a cash donation to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. While at the site, you can find more information on a toy collecting center in your area.

Semper Fi and Merry Christmas!

The website where you can craft a custom video greeting from the North Pole is at PortableNorthPole.tv. At the site, in just a few easy steps, you can create a personalized video from Santa Claus for your kids or other family members, and even adults. all you need to do is answer a few questions like notable events, trips, what age the kids are, boy or girl, what they specifically want for Christmas and what they’ve been asked to do during the year to be nice, that kind of thing. You can also give it more street cred by uploading a picture of the intended target and a few pictures from the last year. They will be included in the video as well. And this year, the elves will be working a special machine to help Santa decide whether or not you were good! It’s all very suspenseful and fun to watch. Not really thrilled about asking for birthday information, but you can always tell a harmless white lie to get by that one. Besides, Santa already knows anyway, right? He’ll appreciate your discretion to keep Junior’s personal info top secret.

Once you’re done giving Santa some details to include in the video, you give them your email (or Facebook login) and they will send you a notice when the video is done. And you can watch it online, or via mobile device with the Portable North Pole App for Android or iOS devices. And if you like it, you can choose to purchase an HD version of the video for about $6.99.

One thing though, the video is the same from name to name, so if you have multiple kids who are smart enough to notice, this may not be the video for you. Anyway, check it out, it can be a fun addition to the holiday season!

At Toys R Us, Geoffrey’s got some deals …

* $50 gift card, free with the purchase of any Wii ($149.99) and a Nintendo Wireless Ultra Sensor Bar with Extended Play Range ($19.99)
* $20 gift card free with the purchase of a Nintendo DSi ($149.99) or DSi XL ($169.99) and either a Kung Zhu Game Case ($9.98) or DSi XL Luxe Case ($9.98)
* Free uDraw Tablet with the purchase of an Xbox 360 uDraw Game Tablet
* Video game t-shirts, 3 for $10 deal. (Hoodies not included)
* Select video games are listed as buy one, get one for $5 with over 40 to choose from, including X-Men Destiny (Wii), Spider Man: Edge of Time (Wii) and Transformers: Dark of the Moon Stealth Force Edition.
* Buy one, get one free on select DS and Wii games priced between $14.99 and $29.99.

Over at Radio Shack, there’s these great deals:

* $199 4 GB Xbox 360 ($100 off retail) with Kinect Sensor
* $199.99 for PS3 console with Little Big Planet 2 and Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One
* PS2 Dualshock for $34.99 (save $20)
* $9.99 for a two-WiiMote charging station (looks like GigaWare on the item)
* Toshiba 15.6 in. laptop for $299 ($100 off)
* 17.3 in Toshiba laptop for $399.99 ($150 off)

Good luck!

The coupon is good for TRU’s two-day “doorbuster event” which runs from 3pm to midnight on Friday, November 18th and ends Saturday, November 18 at 1pm. Some of the outstanding deals include:

Some notable deals and discounts:

* $20 gift card with any PS3 or Xbox 360 game priced at $59.99 or more
* buy one Hot Wheels or Matchbox KidPicks, get a second for free
* 30% off select Nerf blasters
* 2 Nintendo DS games for $36 via printable coupon

Other deals are listed including Star Wars Battle Packs and a special 25% off sale on LEGO sets, but it’s probably best to check the Toys”R”Us 2-Day Super Sale ad for what other toys you can apply the coupon to.

Coupon good for in-store purchase only. One coupon per guest. Not valid with any other Toys “R”Us offer for same item or on prior purchases. Coupon must be surrendered at time of purchase and value is forfeited if item is returned. Sale quanities are limited and there will be no rain checks with this deal. And usual, Geoffrey’s lawyers say the offer is void where prohibited. Valid USA only.

Some of the 48 coupons included are …

* $5 off Holiday Barbie Doll
* $5 off Fisher Price Rock Star Mickey
* $5 off Lego Building Set
* $5 off Disney Princess Bedtime Stories OR Cars Storybook Collection
* $5 off Transformers Ultimate Optimus Prime
* $5 off Mega Bloks
* FREE Generation Doll Outfit w/purchase of Generation Deluxe Doll Set
* $10 off Little Mommy My Very Real Baby Doll
* $5 off select Crayola Products
* $5 NERF Vortex
* $20 off $100 or more Battery Powered Ride-On
* $10 off Leapster Explorer or Tag Reading System
* $10 off Step 2 New Traditions Kitchen
* $10 off Fisher Price Smart Cycle 3D
* $5 off select Hasbro Games
* $10 off Playstation 3 Dual Shock Controller
* $10 off Xbox360 Wireless Controller
* $20 off First Act Discovery Drum Set
* $10 off Licensed Character Bikes
* 20% off Razor Scooters, Ripstik, Bogo Pogo Sticks and more!

The Toy Book and coupons are available for download here and can be used in-store and online.

Hat Tip – Free Sample Freak