The hell that was 'The golden coin maker' haunts me still, what to avoid this year?

[zanz1bar]

If any of you got conned into 'The golden coin maker' my sympathies.
What do you suggest is best avoided (amongst the general tat I will probably get)to keep my sanity in tact

Crap toys : Moonsand - actually broke a hoover with this. Rainbow in my room - for about 20 seconds before it munches the batteries. Secret Journal thingy was bought a couple of years ago and is languishing in the back of a cupboard somewhere. ANY WILD! science kits, they're all equally crap. Kids smoothie makers, my DD has had 2 different ones, both rubbish. This year I bought her a proper kenwood one, at least it'll work! The cupcake maker is a pile of poo, we have used it twice since last christmas, now hoping she's forgotten about it so I can 'lose' it! Sticker makers, all kids ones are rubbish. (however if you buy the card-making adults one, Xyron X, it works properly...). In fact all and any 'kids' food makers are pants. DD has been asking for the coin maker for 2 years now, have told her I'll take her to lakeland in the new year and get some proper chocolate moulds and we'll do it properly!! SHE has read this thread over my shoulder, and now (finally) realises what a waste of money it is!!. . Bubble gum machines/jelly bean machines - the ones from BHS seem to work REALLY well (too well if you ask me!). We have never gone for the elefun, it looked too much work for me. Flipping penguins - they got the ruddy name right, that one's disappeared. Any hot wheel sets, all tripe. Romp thru the swamp and Uno moo however, are ruddy EXCELLENT.

We've got a make your own lipgloss kit, from my Uncle which we've not hag out yet and he also bought a Hannah Montana hair streaking thing which actually is good, but DD has just below shoulders straight hair.
I doubt it would be as good on wavy hair and I wouldn't bother with curly hair as it will tangle in it.

I love this thread.
I have experienced loads of crap toys not worth the money.
Keep them coming please.
Oh and I have also had the misfortune of the golden coin maker.
I couldn,t believe it when I found out that you can only make two coins at a time and that even that takes all day. you still end up with an unrecognisable mess.

have just made the chocolate coins! I have to say much better value than the cupcake maker,we now have both!