Christmas Gift Guide 2013: GIRLS

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Published on Friday, 29 November 2013 11:00

Last Updated on 02 December 2013

Monica Costa

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My favourite Christmas gift guide is clearly the girls’. And I am sure all mums (even those who have boys like me) would enjoy girls’ toys …. There’s a playful girl inside all of us 🙂

LEGO Friends launches Dolphin Cruiser

Finally even girls get to play with proper construction toys.

The infinitely popular LEGO Friends range is set to wow fans with the latest addition to the collection, the must-have LEGO Friends Dolphin Cruiser. Available now, hop on board the two-storey yacht and set sail on your very own ocean adventure with LEGO Friends.

Taking inspiration from holiday cruise boats, the Dolphin Cruiser has a host of realistic and fun features such as a waterslide, Captain’s deck, kitchen, living room, bedroom with two beds, bathroom, shower, bow deck with snack bar, chaise longues and a personal water scooter. And it doesn’t end there, the upper deck lifts off to reveal even more entertainment inside.

With each character taking on a role in running the ship, there’s a pastime for everyone to enjoy. Budding sailors can steer the boat, taking the girls for a spin around Lighthouse Island, or get dressed up to celebrate on the Captain’s deck with a shower and some party preparation in the bathroom.

The make believe play roles games girls can play once this is built (it will take ages!!) is incredible. Lots of detailed accessories are included. From a search for dolphins with the sonar to a ride on the water skis, followed by a relaxing afternoon on deck with an iced tea, there is something for every cruise enthusiast.

The LEGO Friends Dolphin Cruiser is priced at RRP £59.99 and is available in all good UK toy retailers in store and online now.

To find out more about LEGO Friends visit www.legofriends.co.uk

NEW BRATZILLAZ BACK TO MAGIC DOLLS RANGE

Since their launch a year ago the Bratzillaz™ dolls have never disappointed me in terms of creative ways to face the Monsters High world domination. If anything the Bratzillaz™ dolls are less scary and are better looking dolls without loosing their quirkiness.

The new range has the school theme, the ‘Bratzillaz™ Academy’ fashion magic academy, and new foreign exchange students witches are introduced: Victoria Antique from China and Illiana Honesty from India. We love the fact that new international flavours are shown in their clothes and accessories.

The new Bratzillaz™ Back to Magic dolls are dressed in unique witchy school fashions including delicate detailed clothing, with trendy magical patterns, and fashionable hair styles.

Bratzillaz™ Back to Magic dolls are priced at around £16.99, suitable for ages six plus, and available from all good toy retailers nationwide.

For further information please visit the website: www.bratzillaz.com or join the Facebook page www.facebook.com/BratzillazUK

LOTTIE ‘Hero’ Dolls

Lottie™ is the multi-award-winning doll for children aged 3-9 years. You might remember our interview with the creator of this original doll last year. Well this year she has created a NEW range released by Arklu where Lottie™ helps celebrate female heroes with: Pirate Queen Lottie™, Robot Girl Lottie™, Kawaii Karate Lottie™, Lighthouse Keeper Lottie™ and Butterfly Protector Lottie™, with NEW outfit and accessory sets available for pursuits such as football, body boarding and gymnastics. Each new doll comes with its own fun and inspiring back story. A wholesome antidote to other leading doll brands, Lottie™ has been designed under expert guidance to both look and dress like a regular child (no make-up or high-heels and a childlike body shape), helping deal with parental concerns of: negative body image and the desire to return to good old-fashioned creative/imaginative play. Lottie™ also has the ability to quite literally stand on her own two feet, a valuable asset which eludes so many other dolls on the market. The NEW Lottie™ hero doll range makes for an ideal Christmas gift for young children. We absolutely love Lottie!! Price: £16.99 RRP Available from: www.lottie.com

Barbie Build ‘n style luxury mansion by MegaBloks

Who said that only boys like construction toys? Now even girls can build, design and decorate their very own dream house with the Mega Bloks Barbie Build and Style Luxury Mansion. This beautiful home includes eight interchangeable rooms that can be built any way you want. Build a bedroom with a beautiful canopy bed, a fun living room where Barbie can relax or a bathroom with a ‘bubbly tub.’

There is even a working elevator all the way to the top floor for a super fun party with the Fab Girl Barbie and Fab Girl Teresa.
Included in the pack are also glam accessories for endless design and decoration possibilities as well as Fab Girl Barbie and Teresa mini-fashion figures each with extra outfits that they can share. They are not full scale Barbies but at least the house is in a reasonable size, not as big as the ready made Barbie house. And the fun here is in the construction of the mansion.

Available for RRP 59.99 (instead of £79.99) from Argos.

Tidlington House

For those girls who prefer ready made dolls’ house, we recommend this one.
(3yrs+)
RRP £125
Tidlo Toys from John Crane Ltd
www.john-crane.co.uk