Dear Santa...

With each passing day we are getting closer and closer to that one magical day of the year. Christmas.

With this date coming around quicker and quicker each year, or that’s the way it feels anyway, we turn our attention to the Christmas lists written by our children so that Santa knows exactly what to bring with him on his sleigh.

I have been examining many a letter to Santa already, and I am pleased to share with you the toy’s that are going to be in high demand this festive season.

In no particular order I give you the Christmas 2012 Highly Anticipated Toys

Dear Santa,

This Christmas there are a number of very exciting toys that your elves have spent all year crafting, and I am so excited by what you may have in store for all the girls and boys.

Furby has recently been re-launched and is more life like than ever before. He dances, sings and even learns more English as your journey together progresses. He comes in a variety of bright colouring's and will be sure to add some extra excitement to Christmas day, maybe even annoyonce to many a adult!

The LeapFrog LeapsterGS is a gaming learning system for children aged 3-9 years old tailored in a robust kid's design. There is even a camera and video camera included so that you can edit your pictures or even put yourself into the game you are playing! 

The Innotab 2 is the latest creation from VTech for tech savvy kid's. There are many different apps to suit each child's taste from music, TV programmes and Ebooks, There are many children's favourites such as Peppa Pig and Thomas and Friends that you can download. 

The Mookie Scramble Bug is a unique ride on that can move in all directions due to the incorporated castor wheels. It features a fixed handlebar that your toddler can hold on to as they go along, the castor wheels mean that the Scramble Bug can turn 360 degrees with ease and is suitable for the use of children from 1 years old, right up to 3 years old. 

The Razor E90 Electric Scooter is aimed at children 8+ and reaches speeds of up to 8.5mph! It comes in a variety of bright colours and has recently been seen sported by One Directions Zayn and Little Mix's Perrie!

The Fisher-Price Wheelies Loops 'n' Swoops Amusement Park is the ultimate in toddler fun! There are play options on both sides and it stands at over two feet tall. It is the perfect height for kid's to send their Wheelies vehicles down a swirly whirly ramp filled with twists and turns and a gravity defying 360 degree loop! This action fun toy would not be complete without the many lights and that accompany!

The Mini Micro 3 in 1 Scooter  is exactly what it says on the tin! A toddlers very first scooter that will see them through until 5 years old. As the child grows you can adjust the scooter to reflect their new stage of development!

WOW Toys Dudley Dumper Truck is just one toy out of an extensive range of incredibly fun resilient toys that work with no battery's! 

So Santa please consider my Christmas list this year, and I promise that upon your arrival you will find a nice glass of Sherry and home made mince pies! 

P.s If you are still in the process of Christmas shopping, Argos Reserve and Collect is a great way to shop. You can reserve many of the above gifts online to guarantee collection in store! It really does take the stress out of Christmas shopping!

Merry Christmas!

Disclaimer: I wanted to put together a selection of toys that I have enjoyed this year that I think will be popular this year. In order to put together this composition I have been sent the toys to personally try out where possible and have or will be sharing my full experience with you. I have not been paid to write this and all views expressed are completely honest and my own.

The Roaring Raa Raa Review

Back in July Leo and I were invited to mi-commsPR Christmas in July event. Unfortunately as much as we would have loved to attend and see all of the exciting new toy's that Santa's Elves have been busily preparing throughout the year...We had already made arrangements and could not be in attendance. 

However I have had the pleasure of having a look through all of the press releases, and I can say that Christmas 2012 is going to have some fabulous new toy's for those special little people in our lives. 

My firm favourites were:

- JCB Kids - My First Talking JCB Assorted Vehicles

- Roaring Raa Raa

- The Mookie ScrambleBug

Leo has recently been sent the new Tomy Roaring Raa Raa to have a play with, and to put through it's paces. Raa Raa is the big star of the popular Cbeebies television programme and there is a wide selection of new Raa Raa goodies on there way.

Roaring Raa Raa is a big plush lion with the ability to roar! He has a big plastic nose and two button size plastic eyes. Raa Raa's mouth even has 4 plastic teeth, which have gone down a treat with Leo, as he thinks it is so funny when Raa Raa bites Mummy!

If you push down on Raa Raa's head he will reward you with a roar. If you hold his head down long enough for Raa Raa to say 'Get ready for my loudest roar!' Raa Raa will let out his biggest and most triumphant roar from the very pitt of his belly. He will then question whether or not he made you jump! Which I have to admit...The first time Leo and I heard his loudest roar, I was not expecting it and yes he did make my heart beat a little faster than usual.

When Raa Raa roars not only does he put all his effort into the roar it's self, he also flails his arms around to correspond with his almighty king of the jungle presence. A really great aspect of Raa Raa for me is that the voice over is used consistently between the television show and the toy. Older children can always tell when a voice is not authentic to the one they have become accustomed to, and it makes all the difference for them.

I know when I was younger, if the characters voice did not match the programme...I was not a very happy little girl.

Raa Raa has flat feet (this is where you insert the battery's and turn Raa Raa on and off) but this aspect is great, as it means you can stand him on the floor or on the table, and he will withstand some knocks before he falls backwards. Raa Raa's head is easy to push down for little one's, teaching them all about cause and effect. 

What does Leo think?

When Raa Raa arrived with us, I was just popping back in to see Leo on my lunch break from work. Of course I could not resist getting Raa Raa all opened up and to show Leo exactly what this little lion could do. From that very first roar Leo was in awe, and kept attempting to push Raa Raa's head down himself. Leo found this a little tricky but I put that down to age, the toy is recommended for children 18 months plus, and Leo is now 13 months. 

We have had older children around who happen to be that little bit older than Leo, and they have been very pleased with Raa Raa. They have even been able to make him roar all by them selves.

Despite Leo not being able to push Raa Raa's head down independently, he still loves me to do it for him, so he can hear the roar and watch him flail his arms around. Leo also loves to pick up Raa Raa and carry him around the house. He is obviously very impressed by his new friend from the jungle.

Roaring Raa Raa is sure to put a smile on many children's faces this year. I have been very impressed with the quality and most importantly the play value of Raa Raa, and seeing Leo play happily with it is what it is all about for me. I highly recommend this little lion and his abundance of fun this Christmas.

Roaring Raa Raa can be purchased from Toys R Us, Amazon and other online retailers for a RRP of £29.99.