Imperfection tops Christmas gift list

A doll with life-like teeth and a strangely-shaped head has been tipped to top Christmas lists this year as an 'imperfectionism' trend takes over the toy market, according to retailer Hamleys.
Fugglers may have imperfect teeth but they are set to become a Christmas number one bestsellerFugglers may have imperfect teeth but they are set to become a Christmas number one bestseller
Fugglers may have imperfect teeth but they are set to become a Christmas number one bestseller

Fugglers have made the famous toy shop’s list of expected top sellers, despite featuring tiny mouths full of alarmingly human-like teeth and mismatched eyes, for a price of between £15 and £25.

Hamleys said there were signs that imperfectionism was beginning to emerge as a trend “as children increasingly resist the pressures of idealised perfection in social channels and celebrity icons”.

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It said £40 Crate Creatures, which have pointy ears, a naughty grin and glowing eyes alongside a “charm that will allow your child to be as cheeky as them” was part of the trend.

Similarly, the £80 Boxer Robot toy is “needy and fallible - bumping into things, falling over and sometimes saying the wrong thing”.

Hamleys said even established institutions such as Monopoly had seen “a new blast of reality” with the latest £22 ‘Cheaters Edition’ letting players steal, deceive and fib to beat fellow competitors.

Victoria Kay, head buyer at Hamleys, said: “We have cute, we have cuddly, we have fun, we have education, but this year in some of our toy categories we are also seeing an antidote to the highly polished perfectionism portrayed in many social media channels.

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“Importantly, these toys are being delivered with character, fun and cheekiness at their heart and we love them.

“It makes for a wonderfully diverse and interesting range this year - for kids and kidults alike.”

Collectibles such as L.O.L Surprise Dolls, 36 different Hairdorables dolls, Fingerlings, 11 Flippables - an array of animals wrapped in hundreds of sequins - and the mythical pets called Pomsies, are also expected to be top sellers this year, as is the Elasti Plasti soft plastic toy.

Older children are expected to send sales of the latest Nerf gun - the Laser Ops Pro-Alphapoint two-pack - soaring, as well as the highly-anticipated £75 Lego Hogwarts Express.

The Jurassic World Chomp and Roar Blue Mask lets children bring film fan favourite velociraptor Blue to life, while GraviTrax teaches youngsters about gravity and magnetism.

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