What is hot this Xmas?

Trade Me statistics show online toy buyers in Canterbury have favoured new radio control vehicles, Lego and building toys in the last 45 days.

But wooden toys are uncool with locals - they were the slowest selling toys for Canterbury Trade Me users for the period.

Trade Me spokesman Paul Ford said more than one million new items were currently listed for sale.

"[It's] definitely not just a garage sale anymore."

New trampoline purchases have clocked up the highest sales value figures in the past 45 days.

Lego and building toys were the website's most popular new-toy purchases, followed by radio-control vehicles and ride-on toys.

Mr Ford said South Islanders had been more generous with their Christmas purchases, spending slightly more on average than their North Island counterparts.

Women, especially mums, had bought a lot of Lego and building toys, dolls and metal toys.

Radio control vehicle toys, models and metal toys were popular purchases for men.

Top picks for book-lovers this season include Richie McCaw and Valerie Adams' biographies, according to Whitcoulls marketing manager Maggie Butler.

JK Rowling's first adult novel The Casual Vacancy and Dr Libby's Real Food Cook Book were also selling well, she said.

Whitcoulls' picks for children include storybook Read Me Another One Please, which features stories and poems from various local authors including Tessa Duder, Margaret Mahy and Joy Cowley.

Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid has also been popular.

Shoppers are also being asked to spare a thought for families unable to fill their own Christmas stockings.

Major Pam Waugh of the Salvation Army said Christmas was often a difficult time for many Kiwi families.

"There's lots of pressure for our families and a lot of them are coping with a huge amount of debt - prices, rent and power have gone up over the year."

People keen to help could place a wrapped gift under any of the K-Mart wishing trees around the country, Major Waugh said.

"That's a wish for every child - a new toy, wrapped under the tree."

Tear Fund communications manager Helen Manson said New Zealanders could also buy gifts for residents in poverty-stricken countries through the charity's Gift For Life scheme.

Purchasers would receive a Christmas card to send out to their loved one or friend, Mrs Mansen said.

"The card will tell them you have bought a gift on their behalf for someone overseas.

"Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, the actual item will be given to the person who needs it more."