Yes, it's nearly here , the yearly BargainFest that is Black Friday. Every year, stores try and tempt you to part with your Christmas cash early with amazing discounts on a wide variety of goods.. It may be the big ticket items that grab the headlines (not to mention the rather edifying footage of rugby scrum style shopping frenzies) but there are genuine deals to be had if you know where to look and know what you want. 

First of all, a caveat. A bargain is only a bargain if you a) need it and b) can afford it. Please shop responsibly!

Amazon.co.uk
Amazon have been building towards Black Friday with a week long celebration of deals. Clear the diary, charge the laptop, put on the kettle, and see what you can get!

Hot tip: Amazon Prime membership can now be bought by the month for just £7.99, so you can join and save with unlimited one-day delivery and get earl access to those hot Deals. A bargain in its own right!

Toys R Us
No firm details of offers, but it's always worth checking out their half price toy bargains between now and Christmas.
Toys R Us Black Friday deals

The Entertainer
We've always liked The Entertainer website, and we particularly like it when they discount toys by up to 60%. There are lots of Star Wars Rebels and Black Series figures, and a great selection of Nerf bows and blasters. 
​http://www.thetoyshop.com/c/black-Friday-deals

Argos
Argos really is becoming a go-to place for toy bargains, with lots of '3 for 2' deals plus the special Black Friday toys. If your kids are into Minions, Star Wars, Frozen, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, dinosaurs and more, it's well worth checking out the discounts.  And, of course, they are all available now - why wait until Friday! 
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/ArgosPromo3/includeName/black-friday.htm

Tesco
Tesco Direct know how to ramp up the tension, with a cool countdown clock on the website and promises of some tremendous deals. However, like every other online stores, there are special offers on toys already available, including their 2 for £15 deals and Toys Flash Sale. So, check out what's available now, and then on Friday, to make sure you get the toy you want at the best price.
Tesco Black Friday
Tesco Toys Flash Sale

Like a spaceship appearing slowly across a cinema screen, the new Star Wars film is coming to our galaxy on December 18th. No doubt fans already have their tickets  Star Wars: Episode VII and eager to see the latest lightsabers and spaceships, but actually you can see them right now - in the shops!

Star Wars The Force Awakens toys have been on the shelves for several weeks now, with three toys making the Dream Toys list this year:

LEGO Star Wars The Force Awakens Millennium Falcon  75105
The iconic spaceship that took on the might of the Empire is back, so now a whole new generation can fly Hans, Chewy and a cute little droid across the universe.

This detailed LEGO model has a detachable cockpit with space for 2 minifigures, rotating top and bottom laser turrets with hatch and space for a minifigure, dual spring-loaded shooters, sensor dish, ramp, entrance hatch and opening hull plates. Inside, you'll find a hyperdrive, holochess board, secret compartment, and extra boxes and cables. 

As Darth Vader himself says; "Asteroids do not concern me, Admiral! I want that ship, not excuses!"

Star Wars Bladebuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber
Now who wouldn't want to build their own lightsaber! Lots of add-on pieces to create new styles of lightsaber complete with light and sound effects. Be prepared for lots of 'swooshing' around the house this Christmas - and get a stock of batteries too…

LEGO Star Wars Kylo Ren's Command Shuttle set 75104
Kylo Ren is (reputedly) the baddie in the new film, so he's bound to be popular just as Darth Vader was before him. This toy is expected to be sky high on Christmas lists after the film comes out. 

Why we are soooo exited!
Actually , we're really looking forward to the new film, partly because it assembles the gang we knew and loved from the original film, but mainly because director JJ Abrams is at the helm. He's the genius who took the Star Trek film series from embarrassment to excitement with his relaunch, and we still love the film for its sense of danger, humour and, of course, the flare lighting effects. If the new Star Wars looks half as good as Star Trek did, we are in for a visual treat.

So, we suggest you also buy a torch or two for the kids, just in case they want to do the lighting thing too!

Yes, we predicted delayed toy deliveries for Xmas 2015, and sad to say, it's already started.

Tesco Direct have launched their special toy deals, and the bargains have caused a rush on the site. (Not surprising given the number of superb toy bargains!) 

Would-be customers are greeted with a big red banner saying "Sorry, due to unexpected high demand all deliveries will take 5-7 days. We are currently experiencing high demand. If you choose Click+Collect or Standard delivery, please allow five to seven days for your order to arrive. Express delivery is currently unavailable."

For any organised parent who is buying early for Christmas, this shouldn't be an issue, but we think it is a taste of things to come, especially as the toy price offers supposedly run right up until Christmas Eve (subject to stock levels of course.)

Don't be put off, thought, as there are some superb offers from Tesco in this mega toy sale (http://www.tesco.com/direct/toys/?icid=christmas_giftsforkids_alltoys) And it's not just the 'also ran' toys on offer; some of the top toys for Christmas 2015 are reduced by up to 50%, including:

Thunderbirds Are Go - Interactive Tracy Island Playset

i-Que interactive intelligent robot

My Friend Freddy Bear

Out of stock toys
​We also voiced concerns about toy supplies being affected by world events, and it looks like some are already hit. At Tesco, some of the top toys are out of stock due to high demand, including the comedy custard pie game game Pie Face, and there are low stocks of the Frozen Singalong Elsa too.

So, if you're planning on buying your Christmas toys online, the message is loud and clear: Buy early if you value your blood pressure and nails!

Inspired by the original Spirograph of the 60s, the Spirograph Design Tin Set from Kahootz Toys is one of the most popular drawing toys on the market today. 

Designed by a mechanical engineer, the Spirograph has been fascinating and enthralling young artists for decades with its creative designs and beautiful creations. The Spirograph Design Tin Set includes 1 central ring and 1 rack, with 7 design wheels and a 10 page guide book to explain and suggest many elaborate designs. 

Additionally, the Spirograph Design Tin Set comes with Spiro Putty rather than pins to hold the central ring in place. Not only is this safer for children, but it ensures there are no holes in the page.

Is the Spirograph Design Tin Set Worth Buying?

There has always been something mesmerizing about the designs that can be created by the Spirograph, and absolutely nothing has changed. The 10 page guide book is very welcome, as it can be helpful in inspiring children as they understand the various creations that result from different wheels. 

Of course, there is nothing quite as fun as playing with different wheels and experimenting, but the guide book provides a solid introduction for novice users who are unfamiliar with the mechanics of a Spirograph.

The Spiro Putty is new, but this too is an excellent addition. Although some parents have reported being disappointed that the Spirograph Design Tin Set does not come with pins to hold the central ring in place like the original, the reality is that the Spiro Putty is far safer. There is no danger of piercing the skin, and the Spiro Putty also protects the paper from being punctured with various holes. 

While the Spirograph Design Tin Set only includes one central ring, there is plenty of scope for creativity. Some parents might rather a larger set, and if so, they should look for the full Spirograph set.

As far as nostalgic toys go, the Spirograph Design Tin Set is one of the few that really hasn't changed all that much over the years. At its core, it is still a mechanical drawing set that fosters creativity and encourages experimentation. As fun now as it was then, the Spirograph is something unlike most other toys out there. Children are rarely encouraged to engage in arts, crafts and design these days, and the Spirograph Design Tin Set does just that. Introduce your child to the Spirograph today, and let their creativity run wild. You won't regret it.

The VTech Smart Shots Sports Center is the perfect accompaniment for your budding little sports stars. Score points by shooting baskets through the basketball hoop, or kick the soccer ball into the back of the net! 

The animated scoreboard will keep track of your child's score, helping them to with their numbers along the way. The sports center sings along as you score, and shouts out encouragement to your child as they try to score. The Smart Shots Sports Center boasts over 50 songs, phrases and melodies to keep your children entertained, and it also shuts itself down after inactivity to preserve battery life. 

Encourage activity in your children from a young age, and introduce them to the VTech Smart Shots Sports Centre!

Is the VTech Smart Shots Sports Center Worth Buying?

The Smart Shorts Sports Center is a durable and well-made toy that can provide endless fun for children. It is perhaps a little ambitious to call it a sports center, considering that it only really allows children to play two sports. However, this is somewhat beside the point, as what the Smart Shots Sports Center does, it does extremely well. 

The animated scoreboard is encouraging and engaging, and counts cumulative scores up to ten, so while the VTech Smart Shots Sports Center is obviously helping children with their motor skills and hand eye co-ordination, it is also helping them with their numbers.

Although the package is listed as including batteries, many parents have reported receiving their Sports Center without any batteries included. Although this is a minor inconvenience, and the Sports Center takes 3 standard AA batteries, it is none the less annoying when these kinds of toys aren't usable straight out of the box, particularly when that is what is claimed. 

While the VTech Smart Shots Sports Center is categorised as being ideal for children from ages 1-3, it is unlikely that many 3 year olds would get extended use from the Sports Center. For most 3 year olds, the Sports Center will be simply too small and not provide enough of a challenge. However, for children between the ages of 1 and 2, the Smart Shots Sports Center is absolutely fantastic. It offers just the right level of difficulty, and encourages children to keep at it to improve. 

The automatic responses from scoring provide children with a sense of achievement, and the dual mode of basketball and soccer ensures that the toy stays fresh in children's minds. There's no doubting it; VTech have done it again!