St. Michael, Albertville Shoppers Seek the Hot Toys of 2011

Remember those years that brought out lines of shoppers trying to purchase a Cabbage Patch Kid or parents who were frantically trying to snag a Tickle Me Elmo for under the tree?

While there doesn't seem to that one must-have, blockbuster toy this year, top toy sellers have a few they think might be in kids' letters to Santa. Among some of the hot sellers, according to Maple Grove  marketing director Happi Olson,  are:

• Ed Toy MagnaMobiles
• Tegu Tints
• Sockette Glove Puppets
• Photo Loco Crazy Mixed Up Drawing Game
• Boogie Board LCD Writing Tablet

Closer to home, two St. Michael-Albertville locations have a good selection of toys. 

has a wide selection of secondhand toys that are in very good shape and sell for a reduced price over new items. They also have brand new, in-the-box toys from brands like Melissa and Doug (great puzzles), Fisher Price and more

Meanwhile, is a great consignment shop that has that unique gift that may differ a bit from the mainstream. 

If it's mainstream you're looking for, over at  (Maple Grove and Plymouth), some of the items they will be stocking up on include:

• LEGO Ninjago Lightning Dragon Battle
• Leap Pad Explorer Learning Tablet
• Silly Hair Dolls
• Playskool Poppin Park Elefun Busy Ball Popper
• Power Wheels Dune Racer

The Hot Toys of Christmas website offers an extensive list of toys expected to be best sellers this year, five of which are:

• Let's Rock Elmo
• Angry Birds Plush
• Xia Xia Pets Hermit Crabs
• Transformers Dark of the Moon Toys
• Perplexus Maze Games

If you are sending gifts to out of town tots, the United States Postal Service recommends these shipping dates to guarantee on-time, under-the-tree arrival:

• Parcel Post - Thursday, Dec. 15
• First Class Mail - Tuesday, Dec. 20
• Priority Mail - Wednesday, Dec. 21
• Express Mail - Thursday, Dec. 22

And, don't forget to pick up an extra something for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program!