The Inside Line on the Hottest Holiday Toys

"With the movie coming out, searches for anything Harry Potter-related have been extremely popular, even more than during the year," said Jason Hovey, senior producer for Yahooligans!, which tracked the gifts kids most want this holiday season.

Despite its $50 price tag, the 400-plus piece Hogwarts Express Lego Set has been generating buzz with Lego fans and Potter fans alike, because it includes all kinds of accessories, like capes, wands and broomsticks, that haven't been Lego-ed before.

Other Good Picks: Harry Potter Basilisk Playset, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets action figures, Harry Potter Snape's Potion's Class Edible Activity Set

Close, But No Cigar: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Toy stores are still peddling last year's movie and related tie-ins, but after 12 months, kids are far more eager for the new batch of goodies. Keep a close eye on which Harry you're buying.

The Killer Collectible: Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Cards

Ever since Pokemon made its stateside splash six years ago, companies have been attempting to capitalize on the popularity of trading-card-based games. As with Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh players strategically use the cards they collect to defeat an opponent in a duel. But because Yu-Gi-Oh has a dragons-and-knights look that older kids prefer, the series has surpassed the more cartoony Pokemon in popularity.

The series ranked fourth in a poll of the most popular toys picked by children through the Yahooligans! Web site. Cost-conscious shoppers are sure to flock to Yu-Gi-Oh trading cards as a source of inexpensive gifts. Retailers have had trouble stocking the $12 starter decks, which tend to have the hard-to-find cards that kids crave.

Other Good Picks: If the starter decks are gone, you may want to consider snapping up individual booster packs, which cost $3 each but only have nine cards. If those are gone, there are special gift sets that cost $20 and include an exclusive card and five booster packs.

Close, but No Cigar: Pokemon. The no-brainer gift from a few years back has finally run out of gas. Chances are the Pokemon player you knew has outgrown Jigglypuff and company. Also, avoid purchasing other Yu-Gi-Oh gear, like DVDs and toys. Though these are popular, experts say kids are craziest for the cards.

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