TAHLEQUAH — Area children are making their gift lists and checking them twice, ensuring sure they don’t miss a single “I want” item this holiday season.

According to  Meghan Lowry, marketing, advertising and sales representative of Lowry Liquidation in Tahlequah, battery-powered ride-on toys are exceptionally popular.

“All the big items – the Power Wheels and other battery-powered ride-on toys – are really big, not just this year, but every year,” said Lowry. “While we keep toys in stock all year, we really lay in extra stock throughout the Christmas season.”

Lowry said the outlet store on South Muskogee Avenue has toys to fit any age group, from infants to big kids, and has prices friendly for all budgets.

“I haven’t seen one specific item as the most popular,” said Lowry. “We’ve been selling a lot of Easy-Bake ovens, Nerf guns, and e-readers, especially the Mobitabs, which are like handheld video games for the younger kids. Those have been selling really well.”

Lowry Liquidation is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and will also be open from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23.

The Press polled its Facebook friends, asking what sort of toys their younger relatives have been asking for this year.

Local resident Jennifer Crittenden has two daughters, ages 3 and 5, and said they haven’t really asked for any big-ticket items.

“The biggest things they want are anything Barbie Princess and the Pop Star, or Hello Kitty,” said Crittenden.

Brittoney Jackson has 3-1/2-year-old twins, who are interested in the electronic learning tablets, as well as toys with a Cinderella motif.

“My almost-7-year-old wanted – and got – a Nintendo 3-Ds with the Wreck-it Ralph 3DS game with it,” said Jackson. “Apparently that’s a popular game this Christmas season, because I had to go to five different stores between here and Fort Smith, Ark., before I finally found it. And my 8-year-old wants the alien dissection kit and a new bike.”

Toys “R” Us has listed its “Fabulous 15” toys for the 2012 holiday season, which include a variety of both electronic and traditional toys. Topping the list is the Nintendo Wii U, a new tablet controller that works as a gaming system on its own or with the traditional Wii. Hasbro’s Furby – a talking “animal” – has made a comeback for 2012, as have the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Other favorites include Barbie, Lego, Disney Princess, and a wide variety of board games.

Locally, though, it seems electronic toys are the most popular.

Olga Hoenes’ 7-year-old grandson, Andy, is one of several kids asking for electronic gaming items.

“He wants a [Sony] PSP,” said Hoenes. “I want someone to buy it for him!”

Ayla Smith said she’d rather buy her child the electronic toy than the other gift he’s requested.

“My 4-year-old wants an Innotab and a motorcycle with training wheels,” said Smith. “He’s getting the Innotab, but I think we’ll wait a few years on the motorcycle. Thankfully, he thinks Santa will bring him the motorcycle, so at least I won't be in trouble.”

Local resident James McIntosh is also purchasing electronics for his grandchild.

“Our 9-year-old granddaughter wants an iPad,” said McIntosh. “We gave in [and bought one]. I mean, we asked Santa to get her one.”

Cherokee Lowe said her son’s wish list could put a strain her pocketbook.

“Well, of course, my 7-year-old boy wants the Wii U, a Nintendo 3-Ds, and loads of the newest movies and games,” said Lowe. “I sure hope Santa has money for all this stuff, because I’m broke!”

Many parents and grandparents are taking the electronic gift route, but some parents prefer to keep things simple.

 

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