Every year, certain toys spike in popularity right before the holiday season commences and become the top sellers of the year. Tickle Me Elmo, Furby and the Cabbage Patch Kids have all had their time at the top of the list, but this year’s most popular gift ideas stray from the norm a bit.

The annual list of most wanted items, which was released on Friday, included turtles and tablet computers as gift ideas for kids. Though retailers are happy for any activity at all following last year’s disappointing holiday sales numbers, these items have some people scratching their heads. 

Retailers have been hard at work strategizing about how to turn things around this holiday season, and a popular option for the makers of costly toys is including a layaway option for parents. This may just come in handy this year more than ever, as more and more young children are becoming obsessed with their parents’ tablets and smartphones, if only for the cool games. Parents can get a jump on Christmas presents earlier than ever now, which will ensure that their item of choice doesn’t sell out before they can get their hands on it. 

Image via Shutterstock.

Among the companies who are trying out the layaway model as Toys R Us and Walmart, both of whom are implementing this new strategy to help out families who may not have much put away. Both companies have found that letting people pay a little at a time for holiday gifts boosts sales overall.

This is wonderful for retailers and consumers alike, as some of the most popular items on this year’s most wanted list are high-tech and rather pricey. Other than tablets, some usual suspects are also on the most-wanted list, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and returning champion, Furby.

Hopefully, this holiday season will turn out better for everyone on both sides of the cash register. 

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