To avoid last-minute holiday shopping stress, we’ve rounded up the hottest toys of 2021 that you should consider buying now due to shipping delays, and gifts to buy before they predictably sell out—from toys to electronics. Let’s cover the basics about the 2021 toy shortage, and what parents need to know.
Why is everything out of stock?
These days, it’s easier to give a list of goods that aren’t out of stock than those that are. Global supply chain bottlenecks and backorders have affected nearly every industry, including bicycles, cars, clothing, food, toys, pet food, and even paint. Not to mention, we are still in the midst of a global pandemic. COVID-19 has torn through factories, warehouses, and fulfillment centers, causing a shortage in laborers and available working hours. As consumers purchased more than ever last holiday season, many factories completely sold out of their inventory and are still trying to play catch-up while being met with these obstacles at every turn. Larger stores have attempted to mitigate these effects by stocking up on more inventory earlier, with Target having 26% more inventory by the end of June 2021 to ensure they were appropriately prepared for the holiday season. However, smaller retailers are more likely to see their shelves get wiped out with more ferocity due to a greater disparity between supply and demand. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued warnings of a microchip shortage, which could result in inflated prices and fewer deals this holiday season. If an industry relies on semiconductor chips—such as electronics like digital cameras, smartphones and televisions, appliances like washing machines and refrigerators, and even LED bulbs—they are likely to see the ripple effects of shortages in those markets. This also goes for lumber, which will affect your ability to get your hands on new furniture or even a Christmas tree. Between these roadblocks and merchants launching their sales earlier than ever, it could get to the point of there being little to no inventory left come Black Friday. Whether it’s toys, sweaters, or Christmas decor, Leslie Blackwell, the Director of Public Affairs at the BBB serving Central Virginia, cautioned shoppers “If you find it, grab it right now.”
What toys will be hard to find this holiday season?
We’ve all seen Jingle All The Way, but if you want to avoid living it, you want to pick up those hot toys early. Between parents rushing to keep their kids entertained with the limited options they have and microchip shortages throwing a huge monkey wrench into the mass-production of toys, it can be very easy for the Grinch to steal your kid’s Christmas this year. If your child has their heart set on a particular toy, you want to start looking now instead of playing the waiting game to see if the price drops any lower.
Popular Toys for 2021 That Could Be in Short Supply
Tonka Trucks
While the classic Tonka Mighty Dump Truck is out of stock at Walmart, you can grab the Tonka Steel Classics Mighty Dump Truck at JCPenney for $34.95 right now. The Excavator for $26.81 is also available at presstime.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Stunt Tire Playset, Originally $22, Now $17, Macy’s
You and the kid in your life will be thanking your lucky stars that you found one of the hottest (literally) toys of 2021. This stunt set includes the Tiger Shark monster truck and a Hot Wheels 1:64 scale vehicle and can be folded up with a handle to take with you wherever you go. As evidenced by the recent cast announcement of the upcoming Mario Bros. movie, literally anyone can play as the heroic plumber and his gaggle of friends and foes with this playset. With 231 pieces, kids ages six and up can make LEGO Mario collect virtual coins as he runs and jumps through this interactive obstacle course. This 335-piece set has been back-ordered multiple times already, so if your kiddo wants this, your best bet is to snag it while it’s back in stock. Each calendar comes with 17 mini builds and popular characters—yes, including Baby Yoda.
L.O.L. Surprise Omg Movie Magic Studios, Originally $136, Now $100, Walmart
L.O.L. Surprise Dolls have remained at the top of every kid’s Christmas list thanks to their unique looks and element of surprise. Kids love uncovering what new experiences are in store for them, and with over 70 surprises, the L.O.L. Surprise Omg Movie Magic Studiosis sure to be one of the most coveted toys of the holiday season.
Magic Mixies Magical Misting Cauldron (Blue), Originally $70, Now $60, Walmart
A wave of a magic wand may not be able to help you get your hands on one of the hottest kids’ gifts this season, but your fairy godparents at Parade can! Already back-ordered by 1-2 months from most retailers and selling for as high as $150 by toy scalpers (we’re just as surprised as you are), you need to act fast if you want to pick up this whimsical toy. The Magic Mixies Magical Misting Cauldroncomes with a magic wand, cauldron, potion ingredients, and a surprise furry friend.
PAW Patrol: The Movie Ultimate City Tower Playset, Originally $160, Now $130
PAW Patrol is on a roll! If you have a toddler, chances are they’ve already got this big-ticket toy on their Christmas list. This 3-foot tall tower boats six action figures, as well as a toy car and oodles of interactive features, like lights and sounds.
Squishmallows
As fun to say as they are to squeeze, you can’t go wrong with gifting one of these ultra-popular stuffed animals as an oversized stocking stuffer this holiday season. But given that some are rarer than others, you’ll need to act fast if you see the one you want!
Toys for Kids and Adults 2021 that You Should Buy Now
Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS, 40mm), Originally $400, Now $330 It should come as no surprise that the Apple Watch is consistently at the top of everyone’s holiday shopping lists. However, even a tech giant like Apple isn’t immune to the effects of supply chain shortages, which is why we won’t be seeing a new smartwatch launched alongside the latest iPhone as we have in the past. You’ll need to act fast if you want to snag one of the hottest gifts of 2021, but don’t worry, we have faith in you! (Pro-tip: If you aren’t married to the idea of one particular color, the (Product)RED design usually sees the most discounts.)
Nintendo Switch
How do we love the Nintendo Switch? Let us count the ways: It’s compact, portable, and easily connects to your TV if you’d prefer to play on a larger screen. However, we’re not the only ones to see this gaming console’s appeal, which is why you’re not likely to see too many discounts on what is sure to be one of the first electronics to sell out come Black Friday.
Oculus Quest 2
Warning: Once you put on a pair of these VR goggles, you may never want to take them off. The Oculus Quest 2 has proven to be one of the most popular gaming accessories of not just Black Friday and Cyber Week, but 2021 as a whole. Is this real life, or is it a simulation? You’ll only find out if you can manage to pick up this virtual reality headset before it sells out, which it most certainly will.
Sony PlayStation 5, Originally $1,029, Now $929
The ever-elusive PS5 has a history of selling out in minutes as soon as it goes on sale and, like many other video game consoles, is in high demand this holiday season. Don’t be surprised if you’ve got some sticker shock here—like many other big-ticket items, the price gauging is real. If you plan on picking one up, don’t delay, because the likelihood of seeing a substantial discount is low (until Sony releases the next model, that is).
Samsung The Frame LCD TV (65-Inch), Originally $2,000, Now $1,498
What can shoppers do to avoid any potential headaches this shopping season?
Besides shopping early, consumers can take a few extra steps towards crossing off most, if not all, of the items on their gift lists. Many stores mark hot-ticket items as out of stock early so they can drop the rest closer to Black Friday. You can set in-stock alerts for buys that are tough to find, but don’t put too much faith in that being your only method of recon—machines can make mistakes too, so check your bookmarked favorites every now and then to make sure a stock update or sale didn’t slip through the cracks. Another tip is to check the return and price match policies of the retailers you’re buying from. For example, Target stopped price matching all other retailers a few weeks ago in anticipation of Black Friday, so they’ll only be matching their own online prices. If you happen to buy an item and it goes on sale at a later date, it’s always good to know ahead of time whether or not you’ll be able to get an adjustment. Furthermore, if you buy online and opt for store pick-up, not only can you avoid those pesky shipping fees, but you can also take advantage of online prices, which are often more competitive than those found in stores. Using browser extensions like Honey can also help maximize your savings by doing the heavy lifting for you and seeking out coupon codes to net you further discounts. Finally, always have a back-up plan (or two, or three). No matter how many precautions you may take, things may not go the way you expect, such as in the form of an item selling out faster than anticipated or not going on sale at all. No matter the circumstances, as Ross Geller would say, pivot! Missing out on a great deal or popular gift doesn’t mean you can’t make your loved ones feel any less special—it truly is the thought that counts. After all, “Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.”
Will shipping delays affect our holiday gift exchange?
The shipping delays plaguing manufacturers and retailers alike will also have an effect on consumers. If you want to ensure Santa comes on time and doesn’t get “stuck in sky traffic,” major delivery couriers and services have already set guidelines for when you need to mail those gifts. The United States Postal Service (USPS) recommended the following deadlines for delivery to the 48 contiguous states by Christmas Day are:
Retail Ground: December 15First-Class Mail: December 17Priority Mail: December 18Priority Mail Express: December 23
However, some of the dates listed above do not apply to Alaska or Hawaii. If you are shipping packages to Alaska, the USPS deadlines for delivery by Christmas Day are the following:
Retail Ground: N/AFirst-Class Mail: December 18Priority Mail: December 18Priority Mail Express: December 21
If you are shipping packages to Hawaii, the USPS deadlines for delivery by Christmas Day are the following:
Retail Ground: December 2First-Class Mail: December 17Priority Mail: December 17Priority Mail Express: December 21
The United Parcel Service (UPS) previously suspended its service guarantee, but announced that beginning on October 18, it will be making some “operational adjustments,” such as extending delivery commitment times, to [make people’s packages arrive] in a more timely manner. The UPS deadlines for shipping gifts domestically in time for delivery by Christmas Eve are:
3-Day Select: December 212nd Day Air: December 22Next Day Air: December 23
For ground shipping, you will need to check the UPS website to get a quote. FedEx’s deadlines for shipping gifts domestically in time for delivery by the holidays are:
FedEx Home Delivery and FedEx Ground: December 15FedEx Express Saver and FedEx 3Day Freight: December 21FedEx 2-Day Shipping: December 22FedEx 1-Day Freight and FedEx Extra Hours: December 23FedEx Same-Day Shipping: December 24
Needless to say, orange is the new black—you should start your gift buying in October rather than waiting until Black Friday (or later) if you want to guarantee timely arrival. Want to get an A+ for your teacher gift? Here are 25 teacher gifts!
