Christmas gifts for children

General Magmar's Siege Machine of Doom combines a traditional LEGO set with characters from the Nexo Knights Cartoon Network TV series and gaming app. The set has more than 500 pieces, including catapults and giant spiked wheels. Price: £34.99. Contact: Lego.com.

A charming toy for lovers of Beatrix Potter: Peter Rabbit soft toy. Price: £20. Contact: JohnLewis.com.

The CHiP robot dog with artificial intelligence can recognise you, follow you around and be trained to respond to voice commands. A dog that's for Christmas not just for life. Price: £189.99.Contact: Red5.co.uk.

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Build your own blaster for each mission. The Nerf Modulus Tri-Strike from Hasbro features three different ways to blast your enemies. Price: £72.49. Contact: Amazon.co.uk.

Keep snuggly and warm in the winter months with this fleece Reindeer Onesie from John Lewis. Price: from £20. Contact: JohnLewis.com.

The Aurelius Paradise Teddy Bear sits up straight and has a soft, cuddly interior. He's one of a limited edition of 2,000 from the venerable bear-makers Steiff. Price: £125. Contact: Selfridges.com.

The Selfridges silver-toned Penny Boards skateboard will earn you extra kudos at the skate park. Price: £170. Contact: Selfridges.com.

Stuart graduated from the University of Leeds with an honours degree in biochemistry and molecular biology, and from Bath Spa University College with a postgraduate diploma in creative writing.

He started his career in journalism working on newspapers and magazines for the medical profession before joining MoneyWeek shortly after its first issue appeared in November 2000. He has worked for the magazine ever since, and is now the comment editor.

He has long had an interest in political economy and philosophy and writes occasional think pieces on this theme for the magazine, as well as a weekly round up of the best blogs in finance.

His work has appeared in The Lancet and The Idler and in numerous other small-press and online publications.