As children subtract the number of sleeps left until Santa Claus comes, grown-ups are just trying to get organised before December 25 arrives.

There may only be a few shopping days left, but Wagga retailers are still brimming with suggestions for the best gifts for even the most difficult-to-buy-for relative.

Anyone with children has probably already been supplied with a list as long as their arm, but if not, there’s a dazzling array of options.

Children of the early 1980s wanted Teddy Ruxspin, a Cabbage Patch doll or a Transformer, and by the end of the decade were hoping to find a Nintendo GameBoy under the tree.

In the 1990s, youngsters wanted a Tamagotchi, anything featuring the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, Furby or a Tickle Me Elmo.

The new millennium brought wishes for Razor scooters, Bratz dolls and Beyblades, with the Xbox 360 launching in 2005 and the Nintendo Wii in 2008.

A great many of these toys have become classics that remain firm fixtures on children’s Christmas lists, alongside newcomers for 2017 like Fingerlings and anything from the blockbuster Frozen or recently reinvigorated Star Wars universe.

If you have a young literary fan in the house, there’s a huge array of popular books and some are going to be instant winners with the kids.

At Gateway Bookshop, which specialises in children’s books, one of the best-sellers this Christmas is anything with Pig the Pug on the cover.

Author Aaron Blabey has written a series of books about the grumpy canine, but David Payne from Gateway says the Christmas-themed editions, Pig the Elf and Pig the Star, have been hot favourites.

Bad Dad, the latest book from British comedian and children’s author David Walliams is also in high demand, alongside his previous works.

And fans of Lynley Dodd’s works will be delighted to know there is a new Scarface Claw storybook out: Scarface Claw Hold Tight.

For the slightly older kids or family techie, the top must-have could well be a drone.

Daniel Brown from Harvey Norman said demand has been high for drone of all sizes.

But if the gadget fan already has a drone, don’t despair: Portable bluetooth speakers are a perennial favourite, as are STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) toys.

For the sci-fi fan who just cannot get enough of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Mr Brown suggests a R2-D2 building kit, or a smaller remotely controlled droid, like the popular BB-8.

Perennial favourites like smart phones and gaming consoles are still big sellers.

For the family revhead, there is a seemingly endless array of much-wanted car accessories.

Ashley Lucas from Autobarn said gift buckets brimming with car wash products have been on many Christmas lists this year, along with some quirkier gadgets.

The Air Hawk Compressor, which looks like a hand-held drill, has been been a bit of a must-have, Mr Lucas said.

For the relative planning a lot of travel over Christmas, Mr Lucas has a suggestion: How about an in-car coffee maker or oven?

No need to pull over at an inconveniently located rest stop when the coffee is on hand.