Yellowknife (Nov 29/06) - Tickle-me-Elmo and Furby dolls have held the title in previous years. Both were the must-have toys of past Christmas seasons.

With less than a month left before the big day, Yellowknife toy retailers are stocking up on what they hope will be the hottest buys as they ready for their busiest time of the year.

While all of the Nintendo Wii consoles are sold out at Wal-Mart, Isagani Mayordo, a customer service specialist at the store points to the 12 different games available for the system. Besides traditional toys, gadgets are also a possible gift idea for shoppers. - David Ryan/NNSL photo

"There is nothing as big as the Tickle-me-Elmo this year," said Richard Farquhar, Yellowknife Wal-Mart store manager. "Though there could be a few items that come close."

Wal-Mart Canada released a list of its top 10 hot toys for the shopping season. While the Yellowknife Wal-Mart won't carry all of them, it will carry the most popular choices, he said.

Farquhar expects the Glo-E Bear and Baby Alive to be two of the most popular items, but the store only has a limited number of each.

"We're having a hard time getting those in because of the demand," he said.

He also predicts the V Flash Home Edutainment Learning System to be popular. The system is a learning-based game for children ages six and up.

While toys will always be popular during Christmas, the newest video game systems also tend to attract a lot of attention, said Farquhar. The store received 20 of the new Sony Playstation 3 game consoles and 60 Nintendo Wii units, but both have sold out.

"They sell out as soon as they come in," he said.

While Farquhar would like to have more in the store before Christmas, it's up to the game companies distributing the units, he said.

As the number of Wal-Mart shoppers has increased so have the shipments of merchandise - to five trucks per week, he said.

"December is our busiest month by far," he said.

At JJ Hobbies, Lego kits remain one of the most popular Christmas gifts, said store manager John Eggenberger.

Kits range from $5.99 all the way up to $119.99.

Basic craft and art kits are also popular for gift seeking shoppers, he said. The Cup of Yarn knitting kit, which comes with needles, yarn and instructions, goes for $13.

While the Christmas shopping season is the busiest time of year, customers don't often panic, Eggenberger said.

"People come in on Dec. 23 and ask what's left to buy," he said.