BUYING GUIDE.

Got kiddos on the Christmas list? A year ago, the market crash had a grinch-like effect on the holiday, forcing even well-heeled parents to cut back on gifts for their children. But this year, grown-ups can start believing in Santa Claus again, as toymakers have begun to offer scaled-down versions of popular models at parent-friendly prices. Even though expensive products haven’t disappeared entirely and low-cost substitutes sometimes elicit groans on Christmas morning, here are some examples of less pricey alternatives that can help you make the most of your holiday budget.

Rebecca Mini Doll
BY AMERICAN GIRL
List Price: $22
Available at: Amazon ($15)

BUZZ: Tied in to characters from historical novels, the coveted American Girl dolls can get pricey, with the larger, 18-inch versions costing more than $100. This 6.5-inch version of Rebecca, a Russian-Jewish character based in New York City circa 1914, comes with an abridged version of the first book in her series.

Stinger XS
BY FISHER-PRICE
List Price: $320
Available at: Toys “R” Us ($350)

BUZZ: This dinky dune buggy might not be as blinged-out as other ride-ons—no working mp3 player or cupholders—but it has seat belts and a safety lock that curbs speed at 2.5 mph.

Lulu My Cuddlin’ Kitty
BY HASBRO
List Price: $55
Available at: Toys “R” Us ($47), Wal-Mart ($40)

BUZZ: During last year’s crash, Hasbro’s robotic plush puppy was a tough sell at $180. The smaller Lulu rolls over, licks her paws and purrs when rubbed. Her electronic innards may make her a less-than-comfy cuddle.

Spike Jr. the Ultra Dinosaur
BY FISHER-PRICE
List Price: $25
Available at: Wal-Mart ($18), Amazon.com ($22)

BUZZ: Half the size of its $140 predecessor, Spike, this robotic dino can still yawn, sniff, laugh and roar. But sorry—no remote control.

NBA Pinball Machine
BY STERN PINBALL
List Price: $3,999
Available at: Amazon.com ($3,999)

BUZZ: This arcade-style game, sold at some retailers for $5,800, weighs 250 pounds and features 20 players from 20 different NBA teams. But its graphics, pegged to 2009 players, may soon seem dated.

For more information
For more on retail outlets, check out our where to buy Hot Toys article.

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