What to buy almost 5 year old boy for Christmas

[greentriangle]

DS will be nearly 5 at Christmas - wondering what you are planning to get your similarly aged boys? Main present and stocking present suggestions appreciated - is there going to be a "must have" toy that is going to sell out? I don't have many ideas so any help gratefully rececieved!

Also other suggestions of Christmas things to do or buy...I have forgotten how to do Christmas - I know I need an advent calendar though!

Have 5 year old girl and pre-teen boy but read that some of the 'boys' most wanted toys this Xmas are going to include Stinky the Garbage Truck and Buzz Lightyear. Lego is always a safe bet to sell out. Playmobil seemed popular on this thread last year.

I am getting ds (4.11) a bike and lots of battery operated/clockwork subs and boats for the bath as he is really into boats at the moment. Other than that I don't know! Have you seeen trio? DS has some and its really good (also on special offer in elc/mothercare atm) may get him some more or some meccano

Thanks, must get some lego soon - I googled Stinky and he seems to be sold out in loads of places already - does it happen so soon, or is it Nov/Dec when the toys sell out? DS has a bike - will investigate the trio and meccano - remember that form when I was a child!

Lego
Meccano
Speed stacks
Football and goal

Presents for teacher, teaching assistant and any other teachery type people.

Stocking stuff - balls/gogos/choc Santas etc

We also leave a Smarties trail from where Santa gets into the house to the big pres under the tree

We buy at least one new Christmas decoration for the tree each year

greentriangle, they can sell out now but you'll usually find another wave (or 2) of stock arriving before Christmas. Personally I would aim to buy a 'fad' present by end October to ensure you get one. Look at Sainsburys, Boots and the like who do 3 for 2 offers (usually late Sept onwards) too. Often stuff shows as unavailable online but shops still have stock. Loads of people leave too late and resort to ebay (and exorbitant mark-ups) by mid-November.

Ds (5) got for his birthday (last month) a 2 wheeled scooter and some characters from Toy story 3 (Buzz &Woody).

For Xmas I have already got him a Vtech smile (think thats what its called, the hand held one anyway ) with a few games. Basically to see how he looks after it before demanding a DS

He is also hankering after a skateboard so he will probably get one of them too (from Grandparents) and probably a Roald Dahl book.

Mine is getting a set of walkie talkies.