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Holiday Season's Hottest Toy Sold Out Across Great Falls

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Nov 19, 2009 at 5:42 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 19, 2009 at 6:14 PM MST

With just six weeks to go before Christmas, this year's hottest toys are already hard to find. In fact, the holiday season's early hit is already sold out at stores across Great Falls. But one local toy store in the Electric City says there are plenty of other options to make your child's face light up this holiday season.

Santa's making his list and checking it twice, and so are holiday shoppers. Every year, there seems to be one toy that everyone wants to get their hands on. But finding that toy is no easy task, even for the most experienced shopper.

Remember the Tickle Me Elmo craze from a few years ago? Well, move over Elmo, there's a new furry friend in town, that is racing off store shelves. Dave Campbell, the owner of Amazing Toys in downtown Great Falls says, "Zhu Zhu pets have been the most asked for toy this season."

Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters are furry, interactive toys. They look just like real hamsters but they don't eat poop or smell and they only cost about ten bucks. Problem is, the hamster is almost impossible to find.

The toy is made by a small company based out of Saint Louis, Missouri. Campbell notes, "We tried to get them about three months ago and they didn't even answer our request." And you can’t even find the hamster at bigger stores. Target, Wal Mart and K-Mart in Great Falls are all completely sold out of Zhu Zhu hamsters.

But even if you can't get your hands on one , there is another hot ticket item for those who want the force to be with them this holiday season. Campbell says, "The Star Wars mind force trainer. It's an apparatus you put on your head and uses your brain power to move a ball up the tube."

And if that is too far fetched, you can always count on old favorites. Campbell tells News Channel Five, "People seem to be thinking more basics. Like slinkys, yo-yos, paddle balls, jacks. They're selling better than they have in the past few years. People are trying to think back to their roots, simpler times, and they were fun times!" And the best part, these are items that don't require waiting in line for hours.

Target told News Channel Five that the store is getting in another shipment of toys Friday morning. Employees are hoping there will be some Zhu Zhu hamsters on the truck, but they can't guarantee they'll be on store shelves for very long.

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rmac said on Sunday, Nov 22 at 11:08 PM

Get notified right away when amazon get's more Zhu Zhu pets and buy them at retail price, just go to azstalker.com

Mary Billings said on Friday, Nov 20 at 12:31 PM

Looking for Zhu Zhu and don't want to pay inflated prices? check out amazon butler http://www.amzbutler.com ; the site watches your amazon items and notifies you when they are in stock at amazon retail price, not inflated prices.

John said on Friday, Nov 20 at 8:49 AM

Readers might be interested to know that there is a tool that will watch Amazon like a hawk for you automatically and alert you the very moment they come back in stock. You can use this tool for any item on Amazon, but I know most are using it for the Zhu Zhu Pets. It puts you at the front of the line. http://www.az-grabber.net

Jen said on Friday, Nov 20 at 6:56 AM

I love that Tickle Me Plant. I can't believe I never heard of this before. I just got the greenhouse. My kids are going to flip when they see the plant move when Tickled.

Tina said on Thursday, Nov 19 at 6:18 PM

No Zhu Zhu? Grow a Pet TickleMe Plant. This is a house plant that MOVES when you Tickle It! The leaves instantly fold up and even the branches droop when you Tickle It! This is the green alternative and no batteries required. My kids love it. http://www.ticklemeplant.com See the video

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