These hot holiday toys are expected to sell out
These are some of the in-demand toys that are expected to sell out this holiday season. Credit: Mattel; Spin Master
This is very unlike me, but I started my Christmas shopping ... in September.
By that I mean, I picked up one item — a singing "KPop Demon Hunters" doll — as I was back-to-school shopping in Kohl's and happened upon a display rack of new toys from the popular Netflix movie.
I was making an educated guess that the dolls were going to be in high demand once kids started crafting their holiday wish lists, so I figured I'd get ahead of that.
The only thing more annoying to me than holiday shopping is having to overpay for items your kids want because some third-party seller has decided to buy up the popular toys and sell them for a profit. So if I can avoid that, I'll start the process earlier.
To help you get a jump on yours, we've compiled this list of the hot holiday toys that are expected to sell out this year.
NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta take a sneak peek at some of the hottest toys on Newsday's 2026 holiday gift guide. Tap the link below to watch. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Also, check out this video featuring NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano testing out some of the toys, including some sought-after squishies and interactive Pokémon.
Menopause and your mental health
Ingrid Dodd hosts a podcast about menopause, where she discusses her personal experiences and perspectives on the topic. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Anxiety. Depression. Panic attacks?
Those aren't the symptoms we usually hear about when people talk about menopause, but experts say there is a connection.
In perimenopause, estrogen levels can "fluctuate pretty wildly," said Brittain Mahaffey, a clinical psychologist with Stony Brook Medicine. "Those changes can trigger feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, low mood, and there’s emerging evidence they may even, in some people, be associated with suicidal thinking."
For some, the physical and hormonal transition of menopause can bring about new mental health struggles. Podcaster Ingrid Dodd said she had her first anxiety attack at 45. "It felt like I was going to die," she said.
For others, existing mental health problems can worsen.
See what advice experts gave us for recognizing and managing the mental health effects of menopause.
NY's hardest (and easiest) colleges to get into
Columbia University in Manhattan has the most competitive acceptance rate among New York colleges, admitting just 4% of those who apply. Credit: Charles Eckert
If you have a high school upperclassman, you're probably consumed by college tours, applications and decisions, but even parents of ninth graders are starting the process earlier than in years past.
That can be attributed to the high costs of colleges, and also the increased competitiveness to get your child accepted into the best school that's also within your family's budget.
Even as the parent of middle schooler, I've found myself starting to peruse Newsday's recently launched college guide to get a sense of the landscape.
This week, we take a look at the acceptance rates of schools in New York. See which ones are the hardest and easiest to get into on Long Island and across the state.
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