Must-Have Christmas Gift Guide

IT’S CHRISTMAS!!!!!!! This means one thing for all the good little boys and good little girls – Must-Have Toys! For Parents and Grandparents it can be a minefield trying to work out what our kids will want each year, and inevitably whatever they tell us, many will have a last minute change of mind on Christmas Eve. 

At The Hub we’ve been listening to the local children all year long about what their favourites are and have a great range of big brand toys, including LEGO, YooHoo & Friends, Moshi Monsters, Top Model and much, much more. We’ve even got our Toy Testers (Archie & Ruby) involved in reviewing the toys we sell and link to these reviews online...so you can find the toys children really love. 

We’ve updated our Top Toys Christmas list to show the toys available now, and the ones due to be released in the next week or so....

Boys Toys

1. Harry Potter Monster Book of Monsters - £26.99
2. LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon - £132.99
3. LEGO Star Wars Anakin Skywalker & Sebulba’s Podracers – £81.99
4. Pokemon Christmas Tins - £12.99
5. Iball 3 - £16.99

Girls Toys

1. Lite Sprites Prisma & Wand - £29.99
2. Xia-Xia Pets (due in 8th December)– Prices from £9.99
3. Moshi Monsters Moshling Treehouse - £19.99
4. Top Model Make Up Model - £11.99
5. Milky the Bunny - £59.95

 

Top Family Games

1. Pass the Pud– £14.99
2. Cars 2 Frustration - £15.99
3. Bananagrams – £14.99
4. LEGO Creationary – £24.99
5. Dobble - £12.99

Sensational Stocking Fillers

1. Moshi Monsters Gold Tins- £9.99
2. YooHoo & Friends Christmas Wannabe's & Keychains - from £3.99
3. LEGO Minifigures - £1.99
4. LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader Keylight - £6.99
5. Arctic Force Snow Fort Maker - £3.99

At The Hub we have Christmas all Wrapped Up – with our fantastic online ordering service at www.thehubdirect.co.uk , you can choose to have pressies delivered straight to your door, or arrange to pick up your order with our Free Collect At Store Service...we’ll even gift-wrap it for you if you want the ultimate stress free festive season!

That’s not all – we try to cater for the whole family at Christmas, and as well as some cool gifts for mum & dad, such as the Motormouse Wireless Mouse, we can also provide all your wines for the festive season from our varied selection of Independent Wines. We have specially selected Christmas Cases, available to view online at www.thewinehub.co.uk , as well as free local delivery when you order 6 or more bottles. 

So that’s The Hub Christmas All Wrapped Up for you, in one convenient independent local store! 

TOY TESTER REVIEW - LEGO Games Banana Balance

As we know, Christmas provides the opportunity for the whole family to get together.  Almost as traditional as the turkey itself, families gather after Christmas Lunch to try out the latest games.  LEGO have created some fantastic games this year and Banana Balance is reputed to be one of the best for beginners.  Archie, one of our Toy Testers agreed to try out with his younger brother to check that it really is as good as we think.

LEGO Games Banana Balance - £7.99

PLAY VALUE - how much fun is the game?  

It was good because I can play it with my whole family, including my little six year old brother.

There are different ways of playing the game which is good and keeps you interested. You can even make your own rules up!                                                     

Play Value Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 8

LONGEVITY – Is the toy a one off or will you play with it lots?

The game can last a very short time to a very long time. You will have to be a very skilled person to win this game! But it is a good bit of family entertainment.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Longevity Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 9

PACKAGING – How easy was the packaging to remove? Is there too much packaging? Is it eco-friendly? 

There were only two bags in the box so it wasn\'t that bad.But they could have put cardboard boxes instead of plastic bags. They could have also provided a cloth bag to keep the bananas in  because they are VERY SMALL!!

PACKAGING Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 9

BUILD QUALITY – Will the toy last?  Is it built well?   

I didn't need any help building this one. But it is quite hard getting all the bits of the tree in the right place. You can change how you build the tree though. The tree does fall over very easily which means my little brother gets frustrated with it but it is part of the fun of the game.

BUILD QUALITY Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 8

VALUE FOR MONEY - Looking at the price above, do you think it is value for money?

I think it is a very good price at £7.99. My Mum says it would be a great present for birthday parties.

VALUE FOR MONEY Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 10

OVERALL IMPRESSION – Are there any other comments you would like to make about this toy?

IT IS ALL VERY GOOD!!!!

OVERALL IMPRESSION Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 9

Banana Balance is just one in a whole series of different games produced by LEGO.  With prices starting at just £7.99 there is a varied range to suit all budgets and ages.  Our website shows some of the games we have in stock at The Hub, and we're pleased to say that looking at the January preview of new LEGO Games for 2012 the fun will keep on coming! 

The Toy Testers will soon be getting their December toys to review, so check back soon for more reviews. 

TOY TESTER REVIEW: Banangrams

We'd heard a lot about the game "Bananagrams", but wanted to know for sure that it was a great toy...so what better way to find out than to get our Toy Tester Ruby to try it out during November.  She's created the most amazing Youtube review, as well as the written one below.  Be sure to pause the video when she tells you to :)

Bananagrams - £14.99

PLAY VALUE how much fun is the toy?

I think this Toy is really good fun, but I have to say my Mum really enjoyed it. She is a Librarian and loves Scrabble.  I thought it was better than Scrabble though as you have other options, you make your own grid, so do not have to wait to see what the other players word is. You can also get other letters as you need them. It is good that you can take it anywhere as it is in a cute Banana pencil case, and just like Scrabble you can make your own rules if you want.

Play Value Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 9

LONGEVITY – Is the toy a one off or will you play with it lots?

I have played this several times in the last week. I usually just play one game at a time though. This toy is really good for any child or adult as long as you are old enough to spell! As it is similar to Scrabble it will last for ever, and there is several different ways you can play this game.

Longevity Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 10

PACKAGING – How easy was the packaging to remove? Is there too much packaging? Is it eco-friendly?

There was no packaging on this toy. It comes in a cloth pencil case which holds the tiles. Very eco-friendly!

PACKAGING Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 10

BUILD QUALITY – Will the toy last?  Is it built well?   

The toy is very well made. Strong plastic scrabble tiles and a sturdy cloth pencil case to keep them in. There was a sheet of instructions in the case, which I read and understood. The game is easy to understand after one try.

BUILD QUALITY Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 10

VALUE FOR MONEY - Do you think the game is good value for money?

I think this is good value for money, as you will keep it for years and years and the whole family can enjoy it.

VALUE FOR MONEY Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 9

OVERALL IMPRESSION – Are there any other comments you would like to make about this toy?

This is good for either a boy or girl. It is also good to take on holiday or visiting people. It is a game that you have to think about though, and you need to be good at spelling! A good christmas gift for either adults or children.

OVERALL IMPRESSION Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 9

Games are so popular all year round, but particularly at Christmas and after reading this review we know it's a must-have for families.  We're in the process of adding all our Games & Toys onto our website, but in the meantime  you can contact us directly via our Facebook page to order. 

Halloween Horror

Here's a quick run down of some of our favourite Horror movies at The Hub.  Perfect viewing for the weekend before Halloween to get us in the mood!  New or old...these are some of the best we've seen to send a shiver down your spine or have you cowering behind a cushion....

Have a fright night in this month with our selection of the best horror movies around!

The Hole (12)

From the director of Gremlins this is a great family friendly adventure that explores the fears and secrets of kids. It tells the story of two brothers who discover a bottomless hole in their basement shortly after moving to a new home.  With strange shadows around every corner and nightmares coming true can they face their darkest fears and face the evil unleashed from The Hole.  A great story, which is genuinely creepy for all watching, so keep the cushions handy!

Paranormal Activity (15)

The first in the series, Paranormal Activity is the story of a carefree couple who try to capture evidence of a demonic presence in their house after experiencing strange phenomenon.  Simple story line which is well acted and certainly left us sleeping with the lights on.    

Triangle (15)

Melissa George (Jess) is fast becoming the queen of the horror movie. Triangle tells the story of a group of friends who are enjoying a day out when their yacht is hit with a sudden storm.  They board a liner believing they are safe, to find it deserted....or is it?  Only Jess holds the key to end the terror.  A great premise for a horror movie that really makes you think...and jump!

30 Days of Night (18)

A remote town in Alaska is plunged into darkness for 30 days every winter.  It is besieged by a group of marauding merciless and bloodthirsty vampires who plan to feast uninterrupted on its helpless residents.  This is a great gory film, which will have you hiding behind a cushion as you watch. 

SAW (18)

The original and the best in this series of films – SAW introduced the Jigsaw Killer, a maniac who uses elaborate traps to test his victim’s dedication to life.  A must see for horror fans everywhere. 

Mother's Day (18)

An intensely gruesome horror where a couple and their friends are taken hostage in their new home by it's previous occupants.  The sadistic, bloodthirsty family are on the run following a bank robbery gone wrong and the matriarch (Rebecca De Morney) has a taste for terror and extreme torture.  Gruesomely gory!

Whatever you get up to over the weekend, have a Happy Halloween, from all at The Hub!

TOY TESTER REVIEW - Monster High Fashion Sketch Portfolio

We're delighted to publish our second Toy Tester Review of the month - this time from winner Ruby Ginoris (10).  We asked her to try out the Monster High Fashion Sketch Portfolio (£9.99), one of our top tips for a great birthday present for a girl aged 8+.  One of the things that impressed us about Ruby's application was her use of YouTube, and she's created a special YouTube video review for us (just click the link).  You can also read her comments below.  :

Monster High Fashion Sketch Portfolio - £9.99

PLAY VALUE - how much fun is the toy?

I think the idea of the sketch pad is really good, as it is more than just colouring in an outline, you can choose exactly what clothes you would like for your doll design. I enjoyed coming up with lots of cool and crazy outfits for the monsters, it is relaxing to do on a rainy day especially in caravan in Blackpool.

Play Value Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 8

LONGEVITY – is the toy a one off or will you play with it lots?

I immediately designed 3 dolls outfits and enjoyed it. I have since been back and added more a few times. There are loads of pages to fill so it could last quite along time, but I suppose eventually it will be full, I think it is just for immediate fun not years.

Longevity Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 5

PACKAGING – How easy was the packaging to remove? Is there too much packaging? Is it eco-friendly?

There was only a little plastic seal round it. The book is made of cardboard and paper so could eventually be recycled, so really quite eco-friendly

PACKAGING Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 10

BUILD QUALITY – Will the toy last?  Is it built well?   

This toy is not really designed to last forever but it is bound well and would not fall apart. I could work out exactly what to do myself from the instructions, but it was obvious what to do from the cover of the sketch pad.

BUILD QUALITY Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 9

VALUE FOR MONEY - Do you think the toy is good value for money?

I think £9.99 was good value for money. I would have to save up if I wanted to buy it myself, but I think it would make and ideal birthday or Christmas present for a friend.

VALUE FOR MONEY Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 8

OVERALL IMPRESSION – Are there any other comments you would like to make about this toy?

I think the Fashion sketch portfolio is good fun. It does require some concentration though and you need to enjoy creative things in the first place. It would be good if some pencils or pens were also included.

OVERALL IMPRESSION Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 9

You can view some of our toy range online at www.thehubdirect.co.uk or email us for more information if you can't find the specific toy you need.   Our November reviews will follow soon.....

TOY TESTER REVIEW - LEGO City Space Shuttle 3367

At The Hub we recently ran a competition to get some Toy Testers on board and give us real reviews from real children on real toys.  We do not alter their reviews in anyway - so here is the first review from our Toy Tester Archie MacKechnie, who was given the LEGO City Space Shuttle (3367) worth £26.99 to test during the month of October.  Here's what he thought of it....

LEGO City Space Shuttle - £26.99

PLAY VALUE - how much fun is the toy?

I've had lots of fun with the Lego City Space Shuttle. The shuttle would be a great addition to the Lego Airport. Although I don't have the airport I enjoyed making my own NASA space station out of mixed up Lego.

Play Value Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 9

LONGEVITY – Is the toy a one off or will you play with it lots?

I have played with it every day since I got it. I pretended putting the satellite into space for the weather forecast. I made up lots of fun games to play with the Shuttle. It comes with one figure but you can add other figures. (I bought mine at the Hub of course!)

Longevity Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 9

PACKAGING – How easy was the packaging to remove? Is there too much packaging? Is it eco-friendly?

There are some good, easy ways to open the box. There were four plastic bags in the cardboard box. It is great that Lego divide the pieces into bags but to be more eco-friendly they could use cardboard boxes 

PACKAGING Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 7

BUILD QUALITY – Will the toy last & is it built well? 

The Shuttle is very stable. My  Lego plane is nowhere near as stable.It was quite easy to build.  It took me 75 minutes to build it all by myself.

BUILD QUALITY Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 10

VALUE FOR MONEY - Do you think the toy is good value for money?

It is quite a good price at £26.99. Not a pocket money price (without saving for weeks).

VALUE FOR MONEY Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 8

OVERALL IMPRESSION – Are there any other comments you would like to make about this toy?

Suggestion for all Lego products, maybe put a tool in the set to get off pieces of Lego, to save me breaking my teeth or swallowing pieces! (Like the ones you get in Lego games)

OVERALL IMPRESSION Marks out of 10 (10 being top): 10

The Extra Mile....

As Autumn takes hold and rumours start about snow this winter, a shiver runs down my spine as I think of the freezing cold temperatures we faced last year.  It was our first Christmas and a big test to us (and other retailers) as the online companies stopped sending out parcels to customers in Scotland, and obviously our stock struggled to arrive! 

We did the best we could under the circumstances, shoveling snow from the front of the shop to allow people access, spreading what little grit we had around to make sure that people wouldn't slip and generally trying to remain cheery about it all.  One of the main things that really impressed me was how all the little local independent shops got together to make sure that our customers could still get the things they needed.  Whether bread, milk, veggies, meat or indeed toys & wine!  We all pulled together to deliver what we could in whatever 4x4 vehicles were available (the gadgetman still remembers delivering a very heavy load of bird-seed to one elderly resident). 

This is the difference between us, and some of the larger organisations out there.  By the very nature of the fact that we are smaller, we are face-to-face with all of our customers and often go the extra mile to help them out.  

This year we are planning ahead for "the extra mile", including getting our Christmas stock into the shop earlier, offering additional products such as gift-wrap and trying to take the hassle out of Seasonal Shopping with our new online order & free collect at store service.  Of course we are also working really hard to know what will be at the top of every child's wish-list for Santa this year (we'll be writing our guide soon), and making sure that we know all of the toys we sell inside out to give you the best advice we can when you are choosing those all important gifts!

Of course, in case there is another flurry of snow, we've also stocked up on our own grit and snow shovels...so no matter what we'll be here for you and carry on going that extra mile!