Christmas Toys: Furby Tipped For Comeback

Christmas presents will be all too familiar for many parents this year after manufacturers gave age-old favourites a makeover.

According to the Dream Toys for Christmas list released by the Toy Retailers Association (TRA), regenerated gifts such as Furby, first released in 1998, will be most in demand.

The recognisable cuddly toy now features an iOS app which allows its owner to influence its personality through interaction with it.

For the first time, consumers will be able to communicate with their Furby through the 'Furbish' to English translator.

Mums and dads will be excited to see the return of such classics as Cabbage Patch Kids, Spider-Man, Twister and Lego, which all feature in this year's top 13.

"Parents feel comfortable buying toys they know they had fun with," TRA chairman Alan Simpson explained.

The blend between past favourites and modern ideals can also be seen through Lego’s Friends: Olivia's House.

"Two years ago no one in the industry could have predicted the top property would have been a girls' construction product," TRA member Miles Penhallow said.

Reports from market research company NPD Group suggested "the renewed interest from girls is the result of high-profile launches with strong marketing campaigns".

Global toy industry analyst Frederique Tutt added that "the unique blend of social media, content, innovation and technology" is attracting girls when they "would usually be ready to 'leave Toyland'".

Combining technological innovation with nostalgic backgrounds has helped curb the ‘getting older younger’ problem the toy industry faces.

Items such as the revolutionised Furby are "extending the age range" of the toy market, TRA member Gary Grant said.

Overall, the UK toy market is expected to report a flat year in 2012, but Mr Simpson said he "can take comfort in that".

He put the stability of the toy market down to the "constant updating of toys which make parents pull the stops out at Christmas".

:: The Top 13 toys for Christmas 2012:

Cabbage Patch Kids, JAKKS Pacific, RRP £29.99

Furby, Hasbro, RRP £59.99

InnoTab 2, VTech, RRP £84.99

Jake and the Neverland Pirates - Pirate Ship Bucky, Mattel, RRP £49.99

LeapPad 2, Leapfrog Toys, RRP £89.99

Lego Friends: Olivia's House, Lego, RRP £69.99

Lego The Lord of the Rings: The Mines of Moria, £68.99

Mike the Knight's Deluxe Glendragon Playset, Character Options, £29.99

Monster High Ghouls Rule Dolls, Mattel, RRP £22.99

My Moshi Home, Vivid Imaginations, RRP £39.99

Nerf N-Strike Elite Hail-Fire, Hasbro, RRP £44.99

Twister Dance, Hasbro, RRP £26.99

Web Shooting Spider-Man, Hasbro, RRP £34.99