OUR children, not to mention mums, dads and grannies, are swallowing yet again the marketing tactics of the Christmas toy promoters.

It is ridiculous that in the first week of October shops are already selling out of MicroPets and Beyblades, this year's must-haves.

Think back to the scrabble you had to find hula hoops, Cabbage Patch dolls, Tamagotchis, Teletubbies and Furbees.

Was it worth it? Where are they now?