The Toy Box: Last minute Christmas gift ideas for the whole family


If you’re looking for ideas for last minute gifts or wondering where to get them, you’ve come to the right place.

The Toy Box is an occasional online exclusive column where we take a look at the latest in toys and collectibles out there.

It’s Christmas Eve today! Wait, what do you mean you haven’t bought gifts for the kids yet?

Well, if you’re looking for ideas for last minute gifts or wondering where to get them, you’ve come to the right place.

Building a Family Christmas Tree

Yes, you may already have a Christmas tree up at home, but if you’re looking for a great gift AND a fun Christmas Day activity for the entire family, then the Family Christmas Tree set by Lego is perfect for the occasion.

The set consists of a large Christmas tree measuring 46cm high and 33cm wide, which also has a base that has several opening panels and hidden rooms for added playtime.

The set and instructions are designed in a way that multiple family members can work on different parts of the tree at the same time, and later combine them all into one impressive tree. 

The Family Christmas Tree has four rooms for added playability.The Family Christmas Tree has four rooms for added playability.

The tree itself has four rooms – a kitchen, Santa’s workshop, a canteen and an entertainment room with games for the elves, plus a base with a train inside, with a knob you can turn to make the train go round and round.

There’s a separate Santa Claus sleigh for Santa to send his toys around the world, a reindeer figure, snowman, and reindeer ‘cuddly toys’, Mrs. Claus and 5 industrious elves, along with fun accessories. And for good measure, the designers have even thrown in a little brick-built ‘Cataclaws’ figure.

And the best part is, when Christmas is over, you can separate it into sections for easy storage, ready for next Christmas. (Or you could just dismantle the whole thing and make building the tree into an annual family tradition).

The Lego Twinkle Town: Home of Santa's Magic event is now happening at 1 Utama Shopping Centre until Dec 28.The Lego Twinkle Town: Home of Santa's Magic event is now happening at 1 Utama Shopping Centre until Dec 28.

To encourage more family playtime this holiday, The Lego Group has also partnered with 1 Utama Shopping Centre on the Lego Twinkle Town: Home of Santa’s Magic experience, which is now ongoing until Dec 28.

The showcase features an immersive showcase of Lego festive installations, including Santa’s Christmas Factory, Santa’s Post Office, and various fun play activities for kids and parents alike.

Bring the safari to your home

Ikea's Sandlöpare range is a new wildlife-inspired play collection that ‘brings the savannah to Malaysia’.Ikea's Sandlöpare range is a new wildlife-inspired play collection that ‘brings the savannah to Malaysia’.

Ikea recently launched its new Sandlöpare range, a new wildlife-inspired play collection that ‘brings the savannah to Malaysia’.

Inspired by the adventurous African savannah, the collection was developed in collaboration with the Swedish wildlife conservation centre Nordens Ark.

Featuring a variety of 29 products, Sandlöpare brings uniquely designed and affordable soft toys, textiles and play furniture that transform everyday life at home into immersive play experiences.

Children get to reimagine stools as zebras, role play as a cheetah with a bath robe, or turn the entire bedroom into a savannah campsite.

The collection has 29 products, from soft toys and textiles, to play furniture that transform everyday life at home into immersive play experiences.The collection has 29 products, from soft toys and textiles, to play furniture that transform everyday life at home into immersive play experiences.

The collection is designed to encourage curiosity and care for endangered animals through imaginative play and storytelling.

Ikea Malaysia has also teamed up with Teach For Malaysia (TFM) to ensure play makes a difference beyond the home. Under this collaboration, Ikea Malaysia will donate RM1 to Teach For Malaysia for every soft toy purchased from now until Dec 27.

The eligible ranges include Sandlöpare and all other IKEA stuffed plushies, such as the iconic Fabler Bjorn teddy bear, Kramig panda, Blahaj shark, Blavingad ocean animals, Aftonsparv space-themed collections and more.  

All contributions will support TFM’s Fellowship Programme, a two-year leadership development programme that recruits and places outstanding graduates and young professionals in high-need schools across Malaysia.

Robots, bakers, and bankers

Hasbro has curated a 2025 Christmas Collection, consisting of thrilling hero adventures to creative crafting and collectible cuteness, the 2025 Christmas lineup promises something for every child (and every kid-at-heart).

The Transformers Cyberworld Swapticons are a cool and relatively affordable stocking stuffer for little Transformers lovers. Each 4-inch Swapticon transforms into two different bots – from Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus to Bumblebee and Hot Rod – bringing a whole new dimension of play to the Transformers.

The Transformers Cyberworld Swapticons are a cute little stocking stufffer for little ones.The Transformers Cyberworld Swapticons are a cute little stocking stufffer for little ones.

While the adults cook and bake  for the Christmas feast, kids can also pretend to do the same with the Play-Doh Cupcake Tower Playset, which comes with six moulds, eight bright Play-Doh colours, and a three-tiered cupcake tower, which is ideal for children ages 3 and up.

Whether you’re looking to fuel imagination or bring families together through friendly fun, these must-have holiday picks available at Toys”R”Us, Hasbro Official Store on Lazada and Shopee  are sure to deliver big smiles and even bigger memories this festive season.

And last but not least, if you need a fun game for family boardgame night, check out the new Monopoly App Banking set, in which the classic family favourite gets a digital twist!

Monopoly App Banking set gives the classic boardgame a digital twist.Monopoly App Banking set gives the classic boardgame a digital twist.

With this new version, you can tap, trade, and upgrade using your own app-connected bank card… with no cash required. From auctions to upgrades, every move happens at the tap of a button. Fast-paced, tech-forward, and packed with friendly rivalry, it’s a fresh spin on Monopoly that brings everyone to the table.

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The Toy Box , toys , Lego , Hasbro , Ikea , Christmas

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