You might think that what your children want for Christmas is the latest gizmo, gadget or modern accessory, but, no, it appears that what they are likely to get this year is a reminder of days gone by.

Toy retailers and commentators have published the lists of toys that they expect children to be unwrapping under the tree 88 days from now. Look through the lists published by Argos, Woolworths, Hamleys, Tiscali, Toysgamesgifts.com, the hot christmas toys blog and toptoysforchristmas.net and the message is clear: we will want to buy our children the things that we played with as youngsters.

On three of the lists was the latest version of the teatime classic Monopoly. Monopoly Here and Now features modern London properties, sky-high rents and apartment blocks for sale. Gone are the dog and top hat, new play pieces include a mobile phone, skateboard and hamburger.

Also on three of the lists was the Rubik's Cube (winner of the Toy Retailers' Association puzzle of the year in 2007). Again, it has been given a modern twist: Rubik's Revolution is electronic with lights, sounds and varying levels of difficulty. A far cry from the 1974 original. Hamleys has a leather-inlaid classic Rubik's Cube for discerning dads for just under £100.

Another clear favourite from the lists for 2008 is Lego. Lego was voted the parents' favourite toy in a survey of more than 1,000 adults by Argos this year. The final retro-inspired toy on the lists for this Christmas is a spin-off from the latest incarnation of Dr Who. The Dr Who Dalek voice changer helmet is set to be a sell-out. The electronic helmet is the modern version of putting your mum's laundry basket on your head and shouting: “Exterminate.”

The Argos survey of adults also showed that the gift a quarter of men wanted but never received when they were kids was Scalextric. The good news is that it appears on one of the top Christmas gift lists for 2008 as the James Bond Quantum of Solace digitial Scalextric set.

However, the most popular Christmas gift for 2008, which appeared on four of the lists, was the very modern In The Night Garden's Upsy Daisy in her bed - a cot and doll based on the popular television programme for young children.

Hasbro's Fur Real Friends Biscuit My Lovin Pup appeared on three of the lists. The life-sized golden labrador star of the Biscuit children's books responds to voice commands, barks, whines, wags its tail, sleeps, sniffs and chomps treats. Other popular toys each of which appeared on two of the lists were: the Leapfrog Tag, a pen that “reads” stories to children as it scans over the accompanying Leapfrog books; Ben 10 Omnitrix, a watch that comes with ten interchangeable glow-in-the-dark alien faces; and Tomy's Dance with Me Teletubbies, musical teletubbies that dance and play musical statues.

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