The world can safely be split into two kinds of people - those who think September is way too early to even think about Christmas and those who love everything festive and are happy to talk tinsel long before the big day. This week the fans of all things festive got their way as London played host to The Big Christmas Press Show, a yearly event that allows thousands of journalists and influencers to get early glimpses of some of the things tipped to be big for Christmas 2024.
As co-editor of The Mirror's Secret Elves Club newsletter, which brings Christmas news and ideas into readers' inboxes 52 weeks of the year, the event is one of my annual highlights. So between munching on mince pies and sipping Belvoir's Mulled Winter Cordial - you can't drink mulled wine all day long - I was given a chance to see some of the big name (and in some cases surprisingly reasonably priced) items tipped to be making appearances under trees up and down the country for 2024.
While these aren't full reviews as I didn't get extended time with the toys, I did get my hands on everything mentioned and with prices starting from £4.99 and options for all ages there's something here for everyone from stocking fillers through to main presents.
Gravitrax Star Wars (£99.99)
This looked hugely impressive set up to play with and is the kind of present which will end up spread across the living room floor for hours. This 190-piece set is a perfect mixture of crowd-pleasing and educational, with the Star Wars' themed take on a super-high spec marble run packed with replay value and lots of STEM skills as handy side-benefits.
It comes at a price that will make it one of the bigger gifts on a child’s list although, as with some of many of my other top choices, it’s possible to already save some money on the £99 RRP by shopping at Amazon where it’s currently £92.49.
Harry Potter Lego Sorting Hat (£69.99)
Now I won’t lie, when faced with a huge stand of new Lego there were plenty of more brightly coloured sets that caught my eye before this one, which has an RRP of £89.99 but is currently on offer on Amazon for £20 less.
However, when you actually get up close and see it in action this 561-piece beauty is huge amounts of fun. It looks really impressive once it's put together and on its display stand. It comes with a sound brick (and batteries) that means the hat will sort you into your Hogwarts house. I was a bit wary of lifting it to put it onto my head in case I broke it, but I'm reliably informed you can tip the hat to activate the noises too.
Luke Littler magnetic dart board (£19.99)
The British darts sensation famously first stepped up to the oche aged 18 months old and, while this child-friendly set isn’t aimed at youngsters quite that little, it’s a great way to get kids into the game. Don’t let the fact it’s magnetic put you off - you can throw the darts at pretty much any angle and they’ll land solidly onto their target.
For less than £20 it’s solidly put together and hours of fun and I’m expecting it’ll appear under many trees this Christmas.
The board is one of a host of officially licensed Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler gifts hitting stores this autumn courtesy of Target Darts, with a great cabinet, darts and dartboard set for £69.99 perfect for older kids and even the high-spec tungsten darts as used by the star himself available to buy.
Thor’s Hammer Toolkit (£75)
Seeing this on the Menkind stand tucked among a host of other quirky gift ideas made me do a real double take. All closed up it looks like Mjolnir, Marvel superhero Thor's legendary hammer, but if you unclip the side it opens up into a toolkit packed with everything a DIY fan would need to do jobs around the house.
The quality of the tools seemed pretty decent for a starter set and included a spirit level, tape measure, hammer (obviously), ratchet screwdriver and bit set, pliers and much more for the price.
Craft Buddy crystal art (from £4.99)
Crystal art is a mess-free way to make pictures by putting tiny sparkly gems onto a board and has won thousands of devotees for being relaxing and easy to do - and giving stunning results whatever your age or skill level.
Craft Buddy is arguably one of the biggest suppliers of the crafting mindfulness craze in the UK and, with stocking fillers from £5 and a range of licences on everything from Disney and Harry Potter through to Marvel and Beatrix Potter there’s something for everyone.
As an unusual gift, the personalised crystal kit (from £19.99) caught my eye which allows you to upload a treasured photo and then make it into your own unique artwork. New shoppers can get 10% off their first order by signing up with the brand’s newsletter.
Bluey Transforming Plane Set (£59.99)
Bluey is not only beloved by youngsters but also huge numbers of adults who appreciate the gentle humour about some of the quirks of parenting. In recent years a Christmas staple with both a Bluey house and DIY barn, this year’s must-have toy is a 3-in-1 aeroplane, hotel and boat available on Amazon for £59.99.
Having been stung with a PJ Masks playset a few years ago which, I realised while wrapping it, didn't include any figures at all one of the notable things about this cheery and chunky set is it doesn't just include a host of pieces to play with including furniture and accessories but also comes with a Bluey and Bingo figure.
The Traitors Christmas Crackers (£25)
If you want to add a frisson of acrimony to festive family get-togethers then these crackers from Not on the High Street are just the thing. They include everything you need to set up your own version of the iconic game of treachery at home although, fear not, traditional jokes and party hats are also included.
With The Traitors one of the TV events of the year, there are also card and board game versions available from £9.99.
Let’s Hit Each Other with Fake Swords (£22)
Continuing on the gaming front, alongside my band of volunteers I’m already pulling together ideas for this year’s roundup of best family board games for Christmas and there were some excellent early options out on show. I’m expecting the 13 Beavers board game and Lad Baby’s Sausage Roll and the stunning Disney Lorcana Gateway board game to be popular this Christmas.
Let’s Hit Each Other With Fake Swords literally comes with two cheery looking foam swords and is a card game where players have to duel each other in a series of different ways to emerge the victor. Alongside Lorcana this hilarious new launch by Exploding Kittens is the one I know will be busted out Chez Flanders to burn off some of the post-turkey lethargy.
Disney Real FX Stitch (£69.99)
With the new live-action Stitch movie due for release next summer, there seems to be no sign of the love surrounding the chaotic blue Disney alien dying down. From Lego to craft sets, Experiment 626 is definitely one of the most popular characters this Christmas and this FX plush is going to be top of many letters to Santa.
A cross between a puppet and high-tech animatronics, this is huge amounts of fun - of everything I saw and played with through the day this was the thing I genuinely felt pangs about giving back. He's incredible. Soft, cute and makes more than 100 different movements and sounds, including purring when you stroke his nose which makes him an adorable virtual pet.
A launch earlier this year has largely sold out across many retailers although Smyths Toys and Amazon have some stock available. Alongside the PS5 Pro I think this is going to be one of the toys people struggle to track down this Christmas - it’s definitely one to snag early.
Hello Kitty Little Stationery Bags (£6.99)
Sanrio’s iconic cat is celebrating her fiftieth birthday and is as popular as ever. Fans are spoiled for choice this year - from tiny coin purses and squishies through to Hello Kitty Oodies and electronic LED masks and face cleansing gadgets. These cute mini rucksacks packed with handy stationery items particularly caught my eye.
Anyone who has children of a certain age know there is little that causes both so much excitement and disappointment as a blind bag - where the contents of a set are a mystery until they’re opened - but the quality and usefulness of the notebooks, washi tape, pencils, paperclips and other bits and bobs in these sets make them a great choice for Christmas stockings this winter.