Less than eight weeks out from December 25, Chaz Stensness is one of those caught up in the Christmas countdown.
Bay of Plenty Times Weekend met the 6-year-old at The Warehouse on Cameron Road this week and when asked if he is thinking about Christmas, he answers with an emphatic "yes".
"I'm mostly thinking if Santa is going to come," he says.
"Why wouldn't he come?" I ask.
"If I'm bad," says Chaz.
"You haven't been bad," his mum Angela says.
"Then I'm wishing for an iPad," Chaz smiles.
Chaz is a toy tester for The Warehouse, winning the coveted role in a competition where he made a video talking about toys.
He chose Lego and it's obviously still a favourite.
"It's because you get to create toys," he says, standing in the Lego aisle and carefully studying the box sets for the duration of our interview.
Lego Ninjago is his absolute favourite, and he gravitates towards a set that includes Ninjago's Green Ninja figure, Batman, and Emmet from The Lego Movie.
He's pretty sure other kids will like Lego for Christmas and is impressed with a Lego advent calendar already on sale.
"It looks so awesome," he says, clutching the box. "There's a robber stealing the presents."
The calendar is one of The Warehouse's top 10 toys (see graphic) and Chaz is an expert on most of the rest.
He has heard about the robotic Tekno Puppy and Zoomer Dog toys and says Nerf water blasters will be great for summer.
He "really, really" wants My Monopoly, a version of the game that can be personalised, after already trying Monopoly Empire and Monopoly Cars.
He receives a box of toys every month in his role as a toy tester and does video reviews for The Warehouse.
He does not do girl toys, but his mum says he takes pride in his job and does articulate, imaginative reviews.
"You'd think he'd be, 'Woo-hoo, it's Christmas' but he's actually quite serious."
What do you rank as the best children's toy? Have your say by commenting below.
Watch Chaz's original audition video below or mobile and app users click here:
