Toys to Avoid this Christmas

We are inundated with tons of ads, commercials, and online reviews about what toys are the greatest gifts for each holiday season. Retailers touting their toy as the next big thing, but what about the toys to avoid?

What are some of the worst toys to buy this Christmas. Toys that made this list are not necessarily bad toys, they may have made the list for being too pricey, quick to lose interest, or just a plain bad design or bad idea all around.

Here is a list of a few of the worst toys for this Christmas season and an idea for a better alternative.

Described as "a ton of stylin' fun at your fingertips", the digital nail printer seems like a pretty neat idea. And with the average full set and nail design at around $30 to $40 a session, one could see how this might save you money, plus allow your creative side to shine. Your daughter (or son I suppose) can have fun with more than 1,000 nail designs and various color options.

The Barbie Digital Nail Printer makes the list of toys to avoid this Christmas, not because it's a bad idea or because it doesn't work, but more for the cost. The Barbie Digital Nail Printer retails anywhere from $139 to $179. That includes the printer, CD Rom, and instruction booklet.

What it does not include is an extra ink cartridge, which costs an average of $55, a USB cable needed to connect to the computer (roughly $25) and a computer itself. Granted, we hope you don't buy this product for someone who doesn't have a computer, but it could happen. So total cost, you are looking at about $200.

Reviews have been mixed. Some parents claiming that it was well worth the money, using it for slumber parties, and girl's night, and touting it's amazing design. While others have complained that the original ink cartridge that comes with the printer ran out of ink only after a few prints, or that the nail designs can't be shrunk to fit very small nails.

For a more inexpensive alternative, look for Konad stamp nail art products. You can find stamp nail art kits from Konad at www.nail-impressions.com or www.amazon.com ranging from $27 all the way up to $140. Nail art stamps allow you to reuse the designs over and over again without the costly use of ink cartridges. You may have more complex designs available with the Barbie Digital Printer, but you can still find a large variety of nail art stamps for any occasion.

Another Barbie product makes the list, again not because it's a bad toy or design, but simply because of the cost. It appears that you are paying more for the Barbie name than you are for what the product offers.

The Barbie 3-Story Dream Townhouse may be big, with three floors, but it has little else to offer. If I am paying over $130 for a playhouse, I expect more than just the sounds of a doorbell, fireplace, shower, and toilet. It does not even come with a barbie or batteries. I would expect for that price to at least play music, have some electronic moving parts, or at the very least come with a Barbie.

Reviews have not been that kind to the Barbie 3 Story Dream Townhouse, with most people saying it was cheap quality plastic and not worth the price. If Mattel wants to win back customers they can't rely on just the Barbie name to cover up the made in China quality.

If you are wanting better quality for about the same price, you can look at KidKraft Dollhouses. They are constructed out wood and are far more sturdier than the flimsy plastic of the Barbie Dream Townhouse. The KidKraft Savannah Dollhouse normally retails for over $200 but we found multiple websites that sell it for 50% making it more affordable than the Barbie Dream Townhouse.

The KidKraft Savannah dollhouse offers four floors with six rooms to play in. The floors are tall enough to accomodate Barbie sized dolls and have removable wooden furniture that will allow your child to redecorate each room however they deem fit.

For a more affordable dollhouse, you can also try the Badger Basket Fantasy Play Castle Doll House for around $70-$80. It not only comes with furniture, but it even comes with a king, queen, knight, and a horse and carriage.

A rat, need I say more. Although, the most inexpensive toy on the list at $14.99, the Animal Planet Infrared Remote Control Rat makes the list because of it's horribly bad idea. No parent wants a rat in their house, even a remote controlled rat.

Anything would be better than a remote controlled rat. But if you are insisten upon an electronic animal, try the FurReal Friends Walking Kitty at a reasonable price of $16.99. It's far more friendly and cuddly, and mother approved.