DealTaker has holiday tips to save on shopping for toys

Starting last week, I began a series of columns to pass along the tricks, tips and trends that the moderators at DealTaker.com have found in some in-demand categories during the holiday shopping rush. As you can imagine, much of the hottest holiday conversation is about electronics.

However, the holidays are for the kids and kids want one thing: Toys.

Many years, the popular toy is the most talked-about aspect of that particular holiday season. When I was a kid, parents were playing shopping cart demolition derby to get their hands on a Cabbage Patch Kid doll (with their cute little dimples). Anyone who has ever had a kid who collected Beanie Babies knows what it's like to search for that in-demand toy.

And I'm sure I don't have to remind anyone about the Tickle Me Elmo phenomenon.

This holiday season there hasn't been one hot, in-demand item. There are, however, some trends that can help you get the toys you want.

The first rule to remember this holiday season is that the less expensive the toy is normally, the higher the percentage discount is right now. I was talking to a friend who has a young son about to experience his second Christmas. Like any toddler he's been showered with all kinds of toys and gifts in his young life. "His favorite toy, though," his mother told me, "are his simple little toy cars."

In general, those stocking-stuffer toys (toy cars, stuffed animals, nonlicensed action figures, etc.) will be offered at 30 percent to 50 percent off. This means my friend's family can buy a lot more toy cars for their little one.

Secondly, if the kids in your family are anything like the millions out there who love Hannah Montana, Batman, Iron Man, the Jonas Brothers, Bratz, Littlest Pet Shop, Pokemon or the other collectible licensed toys, then there is some good news and some bad news.

First, the bad news: You probably won't be able to find any of these items for pennies on the dollar. Retailers know that these are the hip-hop-happening items of the year and they aren't going to leave money on the table knowing that you are ready to buy them.

The good news, though, is that if these are items that you ever plan on buying, then now is the time you should. Although retailers are not just giving these items away, they, like the rest of the country, have been feeling the pinch during this economic downturn. The result is that a lot of retailers will try to push as much of their inventory out the door as they possibly can during the next couple of weeks and, although you will not find drastic discounts, you will likely pay less now than you will at any other time.

Finally, don't forget the power of the Internet. Online coupons and the ability to compare prices with the click of a button rather than a drive between stores will keep some of that money in your wallet this holiday season. Even if you ultimately buy in a store, research the items before you go, and see if you can find coupons to buy the items online for significantly less.

Keeping these tips and trends in mind during this holiday season will help ensure that you are as happy with the money you've saved as your kids are to play with their new favorite toys.
Dylan Biles is a moderator and bargain-hunter for DealTaker.com, an online shopping Web site owned by Media General. E-mail him at .