CLICK AND DOUBLE CLICK: WEB SITES PROVIDE GREAT IDEAS ON THIS CRHISTMAS SEASON'S HOTTEST TOYS

What are the hottest toys of the season? Let's check out the big toy sites to find out what will or won't be in Santa's sack this year.

In my opinion, these sites are great places to get ideas, but they still shouldn't replace the local merchants. Issues to consider when shopping online include shipping charges and return policies. Security over personal information is also a concern for many people. Toys R Us offers toy recommendations by several categories, including the hottest toys and holiday picks.www.toysrus.comVideo games seem to be at the top of the heap for best sellers, including the new Dreamcast by Sega and color GameBoy. As far as games, the new Donkey Kong 64 and WWF Wrestlemania 2000 are holiday best sellers, according to Toys R Us.

Food fights versus ring theatrics. There seems to be a theme going on here.

Of course, some of the old standbys are still popular such as LightBright, Hot Wheels and Barbie. It's good to know some things have lasting appeal.

And lest we forget Pokemon. Practically anything with the Pokemon logo trading cards to video games is hot, hot, hot.

Toys R Us also says that dolls remain popular, from ones those with radio control skateboards to those straight from the garden.

Furby was the hard-to-find gift last year. Move over, Papa. This year, Furby Babies are hot, according to this Web site.

And, of course, retailers are hoping Toy Story 2's record success at the box office will translate into big movie merchandise sales in the coming weeks.

If you need ideas for toy presents, you can search this site by age, brand, category, character/theme, gender or price.www.faoschwarz.comFurby Babies are number one on the list of FAO Top Toys, followed by Polaroid I-Zone Cameras. This is an instant camera just for kids that offers the option of making the photos as stickers.

Dolls are high on the list as well, including a plastic version of teen idol Brittney Spears and a Millennium Princess Barbie fashionable even on the eve of the next 1,000 years.

Pokemon, of course, has a spot on the top 10 list at FAO Schwarz, along with Star Wars. Bar codes take on a whole new meaning this Christmas. The Pokemon Cyclone II offers battles using a bar-code reader.

Also is an interesting technology twist to little notes little girls pass to one another. In my day, we just folded them in tiny triangles. Today, you have password journals or other secret devices that are password protected. At what point do we become too high-tech.

CBS and FAO Schwarz are counting down the 30 days to Christmas with the season's hottest toys. You can check it on the tube at 7 a.m. or online later that day. Monday's pick: Furby in a Santa suit. Ho! Ho! Ho.

This site also offers advice on gifts by age and award-winning favorites as picked by kids.www.kbtoys.comAnything Pokemon is the buzz word this Christmas season, with cards and a special camera among the bestsellers. Two years ago, it was Tickle Me Elmo. This year, he's back and he's bad as Rock N Roll Elmo in a black leather jacket.

Other hot holiday toys: Furby and Furby babies, Hot Wheels, Ooglies, Barbie, wrestling figures and accessories, Toy Story 2 merchandise and family board games.

KB also offers the Toybox message board, where you can talk toys with other parents. For example, some parents liked the Pokemon camera; others didn't. This unedited dialogue could prove very useful for buyers bombarded with choices.

You can also get toy ideas by searching by age, price, brand, category or by bestsellers. You can also check out the current newspaper circular ads online.

In addition to the message boards, KB's online community includes articles, parenting clubs and an "Ask the Experts" area.www.pokemon.comWhat's the skinny on this Pokemon fever? You can learn more at the official Pokemon site, which offers news about video games, books, comics, TV shows and movies. A good place to start is the General FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) in Pokemon World.

I like this question: "What the heck is Pokemon?" Their answer: "Pokemon is the general name given to the many creatures found in the Pokemon universe. There are over 150 different types of Pokemon, and each type has a unique name. These Pokemon are the stars of video games for Game Boy Color and Nintendo 64, trading card games and cartoons."New trainers can also find out more about these pocket monsters that originated in Japan. This is a busy site, so expect some delays during peak periods. You can also downtown free trainer badges and wallpaper for your Windows or Macintosh.www.barbie.comShe's pretty in pink and still one of the most popular toys. Perhaps that's because Barbie is always changing with the times. Hot Barbie products this year are the Barbie Airplane, the Millennium Princess Barbie and even a Barbie computer.

My kids like to design their own Barbie. Click on "My design" on the top right hand side of the page and let your kids have fun. You don't have to order these Barbies unless you want. You can e-mail them to a friend or start over again. It's very popular with the younger set.

You can also look at the current models or get a peek at the 2000 line preview.

What's your favorite toy sites? E-mail me at click@semissourian.comSee you in Cyberspace.

Joni Adams is managing editor of the Southeast Missourian.