Tickle-Me Elmo. Furby. Every year there is a new one--the hot toy. Something every child will put onto their Christmas list. Every year a new name is added to the list.

The question at hand now is what the hot seller will be this year. Of course, the obvious, the words that have plagued the nightmares and waking hours of parents everywhere--dare I say it--Playstation 2. In the 'Santa, bring me this poll,' Sony's new offering is assured first place with a bullet due to limited shipments and excessive demand. Beyond the world of video games, the recent surge in the popularity of portable, miniature scooters such as the Razor (sold by high tech toy store Sharper Image) has made them a hot commodity on toy shelves. Also, electronic pets, such as Poo-chi and Tekno the robotic puppies are a hot buy. They perform several different tricks each, and exhibit some of the more honorable qualities of man's best friend without messy cleanup. These are all leaders with the older children as well as with some of the younger, but what about those that aren't ready for these higher-tech playthings?

It's for the tots that Fisher Price is sending out a new Elmo--'Let's Pretend Elmo,' who pretends to be many different things depending on what position the child moves him into. Leap Frog also makes their first real attempt at the big time with educational and fun toys like 'Read and Sing Little Leap' a stuffed frog that interacts and plays games with children and teaches them as well. The 'edutainment' genre is well represented for this age group.

Of course, the perennial favorites will make a good showing--Barbie Dolls, Easy-Bake Ovens, Toy Vehicles of all types, and Action Figures. Action figures are guaranteed to make a good showing this holiday season with the insane popularity of the Anime import 'Gundam Wing' and the accompanying model kit action figures. Don't forget to include fellow anime faves 'Dragonball Z' fresh with a new, more detailed line of figures. Also the resurgence in popularity of the Power Ranger series and their Megazords will have them back on the charts after several years absence.