It looks like Dave the Funky Shoulder Monkey is already heading for the top, toy spot for Christmas 2010.

With remote controlled action, plus some funny, rude gestures it has been tipped as a real favourite by most of the big toy retailers. And many are now buying extra stock, forecasting a last minute rush to buy this cheeky monkey. This type of virtual-pet toy has been a craze before and it looks as if toy history will also repeat itself this Christmas 2010.

Often, the popular Christmas toys are difficult to find as they run out of stock. But there is already a disturbing warning from Dave the Monkey's manufacturer, Wow! Stuff. They say that they will not be able to meet the demand as Christmas approaches. A shortage is certain so we can envisage harassed parents searching all the local toy shops for this little cheeky monkey.

The interest in the US for Dave has been stimulated by Toys-R-Us who has officially listed Dave the Funky Shoulder Monkey as a popular, hot kids’ toy that is likely to be purchased from all of its US nationwide stores.

Dave is made in China and to cope with the worldwide demand, a third production centre is to be opened. This additional factory aims to produce around 450,000 toys but it is feared that this extra stock will not hit the toy shops in time for the busy Christmas rush. But it is believed that the UK should have around 70% of its demand fully satisfied but the US market may be the big losers. It is reported that only about 7 -10% of the US demand - estimated to be about one million units - is expected to be met for the Christmas holiday. Naturally, parents are being urged to shop and order now. Otherwise it may just be too late.

The hot Christmas toys all have eye catching and interesting features.

The Dave the Funky Shoulder Monkey kit consists of the monkey itself plus the remote control unit with full instructions. Insert a 9V battery and the fun can begin! But it seems the race is on to get your own Dave the Monkey before he becomes an extinct species!

Dave the Funky Monkey is certainly charming and will appeal to adults as much as the 5 to 12 age group for which he was originally created. Recently, I attended a fancy dress party and met a Pirates-of-the-Caribbean type character sporting Dave the Monkey as a humorous, shoulder accessory. Is this the start of a new party fashion I wonder?