Popular Gifts Likely to Sell Out in 2020 (and What to Buy If You're Too Late)

Good things may come to those who wait, but that adage doesn't apply to holiday shopping, especially when it comes to the hottest toys and gifts of the year. Wait too long, and that coveted doll, coffee maker, smartwatch, or pair of roller skates may be sold out, leaving someone very, very disappointed. But just because one must-have gift is gone from store shelves doesn't mean there isn't another that's just as good — or even better — waiting to be discovered.

Related: Top Items Our Readers Have Bought So Far This Holiday Season

Regular Price: $59 from Amazon
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This has been the hot item since Prime Day kicked off an early holiday shopping season in October. Yoda knows how to make 25 sounds and gestures, plus he can wiggle his ears, move his arms and head, and open and close his eyes. And he loves having his head patted. 

Regular Price: $24 from Amazon
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This less-interactive version of Baby Yoda (which has also been hard to find) can make 10 sounds and gestures, plus he's huggably soft. Give him a squeeze and listen to him coo, or just pose him in the corner to keep an eye on things.

Related: 50 Great Gifts to Buy Your Grandkids

Regular Price: $200 from Amazon
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There are earbuds and then there are Apple AirPods. These top-of-the-line earbuds are a perennial bestseller at Amazon (50,000 glowing reviews and counting). They've got active noise canceling to tune out the world to focus on important stuff, such as remote work. They come with a charging case for up to 24 hours of battery life, and they're water-resistant.

Regular Price: $180 from Amazon
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These wireless Jabra earbuds deliver, according to owners and reviewers at Runner's World and PCMag, and are capable of more than 28 hours of play time when used with the charging case. Like the AirPods, they’re sweat- and waterproof; unlike Apple’s version, the Jabras are available in six color options.

Related: 13 Perfectly Good Wireless Earbuds Way Cheaper Than AirPods

Regular Price: $15 from Amazon
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Play-Doh has been a holiday favorite for generations, but its newest creations are weirder than anything your parents or grandparents played with. This six-pack contains Play-Dohs that sparkle, crackle, squish, ooze, and more.

Related: The Hottest Holiday Gifts From Walmart

Regular Price: $15 from Amazon
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Just about any kind of Play-Doh is cool in our book, but we also admit these new formulas are pretty nifty. If the Compound Corner pack is sold out, this variety pack with six crumbly, stretchy, and sparkly sand Play-Dohs makes a swell substitute.

Related: Unusual Gifts They’ll Never See Coming

Regular Price: $200 from Amazon
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Experience Alexa's dulcet tones in brilliant, five-speaker clarity (not to mention your favorite music) with this high-fidelity version of Amazon's ubiquitous smart speaker. During Prime Day, the brand-new Echo Studio sold out quickly.

Regular Price: $199 from Amazon
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If high-quality audio is what you seek from a smart speaker — in addition to Alexa compatibility — this Sonos is a good alternative to the Echo Studio. Control it with your voice or use the Sonos app; pair it with a second speaker for stereo sound. Available in black or gray.

Related: The Hottest Tech Gifts This Season

Regular Price: $385 and up from Amazon
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Apple’s iconic smartwatch has been a brisk seller since the first ones appeared in 2015. The latest Series 6 watch is a wee bit more sophisticated than that first timepiece. In addition to making calls, playing music, and keeping you connected to the internet, this Apple Watch can monitor blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep quality. It’s also got a faster processor.

Regular Price: $370 from Amazon
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Anything the Apple Watch can do, Samsung's can do, too. If you're on Team Android instead of Team Apple, this is the smartwatch for you.

Related: Get Going With These Great Gifts for Runners

Regular Price: $140 from Amazon
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Keurig’s latest single-serve coffee maker uses K-cups like its previous models, but promises a more flavorful cup of coffee thanks to its upgraded brewing mechanism. Choose one of four beverage sizes, plus extra-strong and iced coffee modes. Nice detail: The water reservoir can be attached at the side or the rear to make the most of limited counter space.

Related: Perk 'Em Up With These Great Gifts for Coffee Lovers

Regular Price: $139 from Amazon
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This Cuisinart has an even larger water reservoir than the Keurig (72 ounces vs. 66 ounces) and includes a reusable filter cup so you’re not beholden to using prepackaged K-cups. It’s got five beverage sizes and adjustable brew strength, though it lacks the dedicated iced coffee mode found on the Keurig.

Related: The Best 10 Coffee Makers to Buy at Walmart and Target

Regular Price: $15 from Walmart
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Test your ability to remember and then follow instructions — bop, pull, twist, whatever the Mandalorian commands — or lose your turn. Bop It! has been around since the 1990s, but this Baby Yoda version is new.

Regular Price: $29 from Amazon
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May the Force be with you as you search for Baby Yoda, but maybe he isn't even their favorite Star Wars character. There's always R2-D2 or Chewbacca.

Regular Price: $128 from Amazon
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There's nothing quite like fresh herbs and greens, and you can have that year-round with this countertop AeroGarden. Grow up to six plants at a time with the help of water and a high-performance LED lighting system.

Regular Price: $80 from Amazon
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There are a slew of no-name indoor hydroponic growers available on Amazon. This model does everything the AeroGarden does, though it doesn't come with starter seeds (you have to provide your own).

Related: The Best Gifts for Plant Lovers and Green Thumbs

Regular Price: $20 from Amazon
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Always a welcome stocking stuffer for a coffee junkie, this well-loved Contigo travel mug continues to rake in accolades. Buyers say it's easy to drink from without spilling, fits in car cup holders, and keeps their drinks hot or cold for hours.

Regular Price: $7 from Walmart
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This Ozark Trail insulted tumbler holds 20 ounces, just like the Contigo travel mug. And although it's not available in nearly as many color options (just one: brushed stainless), buyers don't seem to mind, especially at a fraction of the Contigo's price.

Related: These Walmart Tumblers Rival Yeti's at a Fraction of the Price

Regular Price: $70 and up from Amazon 
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If your child loves nothing better than an afternoon at the local skating rink or on neighborhood sidewalks, these traditional roller skates are a good choice, parents say. The lace-up boot is comfortable and provides plenty of ankle support. A boys' version is also available.

Related: Where to Buy Cheap Roller Skates

Regular Price: $32 and up from Amazon 
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Roller skating was the hot pastime this summer, and there's no doubt it will continue to be trendy. These skates have a fixed, lace-up boot that provides more foot and ankle support than step-in beginner skates. A girls' model is also available.

Regular Price: $50 from Amazon
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Kids' video cameras are nothing new, but VTech takes it to the next level with the KidiZoom. Not only does this camcorder capture HD video that can be edited right in the camera, it's also loaded with 20 animated background effects. Pretend it's a day at the beach, a night on the TV weather report, or that you're being chased by a hungry T-Rex! Use the included tripod to record time-lapse video or as a self stick for that closeup.

Regular Price: $43 from Amazon
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Create videos in high definition with this HD camcorder. It's waterproof up to 100 feet, so kids can take the camera to the pool or beach without worry, and it's got a built-in light for when the sun goes down. Add one of 12 funny frames to a video or apply one of seven colored filters for even more fun. Bonus: It also shoots still photos.

Related: The Best Gifts for Photographers From Newbies to Pros

Regular Price: $130 from Amazon
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The 300 ppi Kindle Paperwhite provides a crisp, clean 6-inch display for Mom's e-books at a hard-to-beat price. She'll never have annoying glare on a sunny day, and the battery provides weeks of juice. There's also a built-in light that's adjustable for reading in any environment, no matter how bright or dim.

Regular Price: $120 from Amazon
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Amazon more or less has the e-reader market cornered, and their Kindles dominate in professional tests and reviews. If you don't want or cannot get yours hands on a Kindle, reviewers say this Kobo is the best alternative for the price. It's got a 300 ppi eInk touchscreen and 8 GB of memory.

Regular Price: $341 from Amazon
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Pet owners know the battle against the fur never, ever ends. A versatile vacuum can help. A lot. This Bissell stick vac converts to hand-held so you can chase down those elusive fuzz bunnies and comes with a roller brush attachment for stairs and furniture and a lighted crevice tool. 

Regular Price: $300 from Best Buy
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Just like the Bissell, this Dyson converts from stick vac to hand vac in seconds, with optional crevice and rolling brush tools. It can run for up to 30 minutes on a full charge.

Regular Price: $30 from Amazon
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As any dedicated Star Wars fan will tell you, the darksaber was created by Tarre Vizsla, Mandalore’s first Jedi Knight, and it possesses special powers no lightsaber does. It’s also got cool light and sound effects to liven up the next duel.

Regular Price: $50 from Best Buy
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For the Star Wars traditionalist, nothing but a classic Lightsaber will do. And what makes this cooler than the Darksaber is the fact that it’s interactive. Download the companion app and use it to hone your lightsaber skills.

Regular Price: $200 from Amazon
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Instant Pots were the hot item last holiday season. This year, the company behind the Instant Pot has rolled out a range of small kitchen appliances, including this toaster oven that doubles as an air fryer. It can also toast, roast, bake, broil, and slow-cook foods.

Related: 24 Kitchen Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed

Regular Price: $200 from Amazon
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Cuisinart's entry in the multipurpose toaster-oven wars has a smaller capacity and footprint than the Instant, but like the Omni it can bake a 12-inch pizza, as well as air fry, roast, and broil. Unlike the Instant Omni, which comes in one color, the Cuisinart is available in black, copper, or stainless-steel finishes.

Related: Gifts Under $25 for Food Lovers

Regular Price: $269 and up from Amazon
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These blankets are pricey but unlikely to be stuffed in a closet and forgotten. Made in the U.S. of 100% wool, they are available in twin, full, and queen sizes, or as a throw, and each comes with a commemorative label honoring one of nine national parks, including Yellowstone and Acadia.

Related: Thoughtful Gifts That Are Made in America

Regular Price: $325 and up from Hudson’s Bay
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These English-made wool blankets have been a Hudson's Bay tradition for more than two centuries at the venerable Canadian retailer. If you can't go north of the border, bring a bit of Canada home to your bedroom with one of these blankets, available in sizes from twin to king.

Regular Price: $120 from Amazon
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Legos never go out of style for the holidays, and neither does Star Wars. The latest Lego Art kits feature the Sith Lords: Darth Maul, Kylo Ren, and Darth Vader. Each kit measures 15.5 inches square and contains more than 3,400 pieces (and comes with a downloadable soundtrack). Build and display them separately or combine them into a triptych.

Regular Price: $120 from Amazon
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There's no proven correlation between Star Wars fans and Beatles fans, but we'd wager there's some crossover. If you can't find the hot new Sith building kit, the Beatles version makes a mighty fine substitute. Each kit contains more than 2,900 pieces.

Related: Unique Gift Ideas for Every Occasion

Regular Price: $48 and up from Amazon
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Denim jackets will never go out of style, and the addition of a cozy sherpa liner makes this one as cozy as it is classic. Choose from seven colors, including timeless Divided Blue. 

Regular Price: $35 from Target
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At less than half the price of the Levi's jacket, you could buy two of these denim sherpa jackets and keep one for yourself. Available in sizes from extra-small to 2XL.

Regular Price: $30 from Amazon
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Kids who are too young to use a 3D printer pen — and anyone who considers themselves a chocoholic — will love making sweet creations with this gizmo. Use the accompanying molds to create yummy multicolored chocolates shaped like animals, toys, or Blume Dolls, or make freeform designs all your own. Top cupcakes or enjoy the chocolates on their own.

Regular Price: $30 from Amazon 
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Tiny chocolates are nice, but big bars have so much more sweet goodness to offer. This kit comes with everything a young chocolatier needs to make a variety of filled bars, including five molds, plus wrappers and labels for a truly custom creation.

Related: Great Gifts to Buy Your Grandkids

Regular Price: $68 from Amazon
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FurReal's interactive plush critters were a hot item in 2019, and you can bet they will be again this year. The interactive Mama Josie comes with three joeys and a smoothie (parenting is hard work!) and comes programmed with 70 reactions and sounds. She also comes with a riddle that she and her babies must work together to solve.

Regular Price: $25 from Amazon
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Not into kangaroos? How about a kitty that needs a cuddle ... lots of cuddles. This cutie with fangs can't stand being cold and will shiver and chatter until she's warmed by your hugs and love. North comes programmed with 35 sounds and responses.

Related: The Best Gifts for Cat Lovers

Regular Price: $229 from Amazon
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If you have a big home (or just a lot of digital devices), a mesh router such as this one can provide seamless Wi-Fi coverage that regular routers may struggle to deliver. Amazon's latest iteration of the Eero Pro can cover up to 2,000 square feet and handle 75 devices. It's also compatible with Alexa.

Regular Price: $169 from Amazon
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Google's mesh router can provide slightly more coverage than the Eero (2,200 square feet vs. 2,000 square feet) and support up to 100 devices. A Google Assistant smart speaker is part of the package.

Related: The Best Wi-Fi Extenders and Mesh Router Systems for Better Internet at Home

Regular Price: $35 from Amazon
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"Unboxing" toys such as these — which are designed to be disassembled to reveal figurines, tokens, and other tchotchkes — have been all the rage for the past few holidays, and every year they become more intricate. Rescue the ship's captain from the clutches of the evil kraken as you uncover weapons to fight the beast, plus gold coins and other treasure.

Regular Price: $25 from Amazon
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Know a curious youngster who loves anything slimy and gross? Get 'em this kit. Kids can dissect the alien, uncovering all sorts of goodies it swallowed, as they race to rescue the alien hunter. Relax, parents: It comes with a dissection tray to keep all that space goo confined.

Related: Subscription Kits to Entertain and Educate Stir-Crazy Kids

Regular Price: $400 from Amazon
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Love that high-end stainless steel look, but long for the ease of nonstick? You get both in this 10-piece set, which fuses shiny stainless steel on the outside with a ceramic coating on the inside. It includes two fry pans, two saucepans with lids, a sauté pan with a lid, and a Dutch oven with a lid. 

Regular Price: $420 from Amazon
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Viking bonds a stainless-steel base to heavy-gauge aluminum, then applies a nonstick coating to the interior. This 10-piece set includes matching tempered-glass lids so you can keep an eye on what you're cooking.

Regular Price: $58 from Amazon 
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If artist Jeff Koons decided to make an interactive kids' toy, it might look something like this. Like a real dog, Squeakee will stand and sit on command, respond to petting and tummy rubs, and needs to be fed and taken on potty breaks. Cute as Squeakee is, it's worth pointing out that he's not really a balloon — the robot is made of hard plastic — and doesn't truly inflate and deflate as the manufacturer implies. On the upside, this means Squeakee won't pop accidentally.

Regular Price: $40 from Amazon
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Squeakee may have a unique appearance, but he doesn't have the market cornered on cool tricks. Dimple's digital eyes light up, blink, and look around as it waits for you to teach it new tricks. This robot pup comes programmed with four songs to sing and dance along to, plus a remote to control Dimple's every step.

Related: Great Gifts for Dog-Obsessed Humans

Regular Price: $20 from Amazon
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Crayola is one of those brands that has been around for decades, and one nearly every kid is familiar with. Of course, Crayola toys these days are a bit more advanced than those old 64-crayon kits. Build flowers from paper, then "plant" them in dye-infused water and watch the colors bloom as they spread up the flower. Once they dry, embellish them with the included markers.

Regular Price: $22 from Amazon
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Science-minded kids — even grown-up ones — will get a kick out watching these crystals slowly form. The mature crystals come with mini-display kits to show off your creations.

Related: 25 Toys and Games That Will Trick Kids Into Learning at Home

Regular Price: $10 from Target
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Another hot holiday item from 2019, Blume Dolls are back with a whole new series of collectible dolls that "bloom" when you add water to their flower pot homes. Each comes with 10 surprises to find.

Regular Price: $8 from Target
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Blume Petal Pets are unlike anything you'll find in a garden. Just water the potted "flower" and watch the petals open to reveal a new friend. Each pet comes with a charm bracelet and stickers to customize the pot. A dozen critters are available.

Regular Price: $80 from Amazon
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When all else fails, Legos are always a kid-pleasing gift. This 529-piece set includes a three-level police base, jail cell, police plane, getaway car, and six minifigures. 

Regular Price: $100 from Amazon
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Another kit from Lego's City collection, this set contains 669 bricks to build a passenger jet and control tower, plus eight minifigs.

Regular Price: $34 from Amazon
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Serious Barbie devotees wait all year for the debut of the annual holiday doll. This year's Barbie is dressed in dazzling gold tulle with a snowflake-patterned overlay, chandelier earrings, and painted nails — ready for every holiday ball in town. She's available in three skin tones, with blonde, brown, or black hair.

Regular Price: $30 from Amazon
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At the opposite end of the fashion world, you'll find these six dolls paying homage to six decades of Barbara Millicent Roberts (Barbie, to the rest of us). Barbie and her pals sport colorful duds with a decidedly '90s flair. Baggy sweats, eye-popping graphics, and bold hues are the name of the game.

Related: 11 Barbie Dolls That Could Become Collector's Items

Regular Price: $140 from Amazon
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You may not be an executive, but your aching back doesn't need to know that. Upgrade your home office chair with this well-padded, well-reviewed model upholstered in bonded leather. 

Regular Price: $130 from Office Depot
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This vinyl chair's waterfall-style seat is height-adjustable with a tilt function that can be locked in place for when you need some  feet-up-on-the-desk time. A minority of buyers caution that assembly can be challenging.

Related: 15 Stylish Office Chairs That Won't Break the Bank (or Your Back)

Regular Price: $17 from Amazon
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Celebrate your bargain hunting with these stemless wine glasses. The set includes four 15-ounce tumblers. They’re dishwasher-safe and made in the U.S.A.

Regular Price: $19 from Amazon
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For a couple bucks more than the AmazonBasics tumblers, you get a set of four stemless 17-ounce glasses. The Libbey wine glasses are dishwasher-safe, too.

Related: 20 Affordable Wine Clubs That Will Satisfy Even the Snobs

Regular Price: $500 from Best Buy
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Even before Black Friday, the PlayStation 5 has proved to be difficult to pre-order. Sony expects them to sell out completely this holiday season, so if you see a console available, don't hesitate. The brand-new rival Xbox Series X is no cheaper ($499) and expected to be just as scarce.

Related: Incredibly Fun Toys for Adults

For all the serious gamers who will be salivating over the PlayStation 5 and Xbox X, the previous versions of these consoles will hold no interest. Instead of beating the bushes for an impossible-to-find gaming console, consider buying your favorite gamer a collection of their favorite titles, such as "Assassin's Creed: Valhalla" ($50), the latest installment in that popular series. Or build them a gamer's gift basket they'll never forget, including books, tees, stickers, and other goodies.

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