Every year around October, Toy Wishes Magazine announces the highly anticipated Hot Dozen toys of the holiday season. The Hot Dozen is a list of 12 toys that are predicted to be the most in demand this holiday season. It has been the most consistently cited hot toy list since the magazine's debut in 1999. For anyone looking for holiday shopping ideas for young kids, the Hot Dozen list is a great place to start.

For older kids, we came out with our own list of robotic toys. Ever since the launch of the Pleo dinosaur last year, prices on robotic toys have fallen to a more affordable price point. And there is huge demand for these toys - just look at eBay listings to see the premiums! Shop early so you won't be disappointed.

Toy Wishes magazine provided this list:

• Animal Scramble - a game that gets kids moving, thinking, listening and learning, all while having fun
• Bakugan - combines the strategy and skill of marbles, trading cards and action figures in one hands-on game.
• Bratz Girls Really Rock - honing in on the tween dream combo of music, fashion and doll play
• Crayola Glow Station - takes the basic play pattern of drawing in the dark!
• Disney Fairies Clickables - uses new technology to merge Disney's virtual Pixie Hollow with the classic play patterns of tweens.
• Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker - learn the skills and thrills of baking with the easy to use cupcake maker.
• Kota the Triceratops - featuring sophisticated electronics, animatronics and a playful design, this 'life-size' baby dinosaur 'comes to life' when kids climb on his back, creating a magical jungle ride for preschoolers.
• Mobile Command Center - In true LEGO style, these classic bricks let kids build, play, and imagine in a spy adventure.
• Sit to Stand Alphabet Train - make tracks with the Sit to Stand Alphabet Train, teaching little ones letters, numbers, colors, songs, stories and more.
• "This Is Serious!" Ming Ming - brings to life great signature phrases, songs, and dance moves from Nickelodeon's wonderfully heroic duck, Ming-Ming.
• U-Dance - combines the hot trend of dancing with the stars with motion control technology, with no dance mat required.
• Ultimate Wall*E - an advanced robot that truly brings this beloved movie character to life.

Our own list of the hottest robotic toys of 2008.

• Fisher Price Elmo Live - For the first time ever, in this truly life-like creation, Elmo really appears to be speaking as his mouth opens and closes just like a muppet.
• D-REX Interactive Dinosaur - the ultimate pet for boys. A ferocious yet loyal dinosaur robot with an independent personality, D-Rex combines robotics, interactive sensors and reptilian-like skin to create lifelike appearance and behavior.
• Fur Real Friends Biscuit My Lovin Pup - this ultra-realistic FurReal pup is the perfect first pet for any little girl or boy. Biscuit responds to you and obeys six different commands: sit, lie down, sit up, beg and speak.
• Fisher Price Imaginext Spike the Ultra Dinosaur - he walks, he stands on his hind legs, he blinks, his mouth opens and closes, his spikes light up and you make it happen with the easy-to-use remote control!

If you are interested in making some easy cash on eBay by buying high demand toys and selling it on eBay, we highly recommend two resources.

AuctionCloud is a powerful and free tool for eBay sellers and buyers. For sellers, see what eBay users are really searching for in each category. Take advantage of this information for drop-shipping ideas or products to resell or simply following trends. For buyers, get ideas on what items are hot with eBay users. Use this information for immediate or future gift ideas or long-term investments.

Jenni Hunt publishes an annual 2008 Holiday Toy Selling Guide for eBay sellers. In her words, the key to making the most profit is to know what toys are selling for more than retail and list them in a way that allows you to meet the highest bidding potential. This is a must have step-by-step guide that will introduce you to the world of toys and the magic of Ebay at Christmas time.