Must-have items for holiday shopping 2014

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Not every year brings "Tickle Me Elmo" fever. But generally each holiday season there are those inevitable gift cravings.

And if you're one of those shoppers determined to give the latest "must-have" gift, experts say do your research and then go shopping.

For kids, the Top Toy list of 2014 includes anything "Transformers" and everything "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

But without a doubt, experts say this year's "Tickle Me Elmo" is Elsa from "Frozen."

"Frozen" items are hot. And if you don't want to get left out in the cold, "I wouldn't necessarily wait," said retail expert Vera Givens.

"The prices will be good on Black Friday," she continued. "They will be good on Cyber Monday, and then they're going to creep up a little bit and won't be back down probably until mid-December."

And for kids today, who are as tech savvy, if not moreso than their parents, the wish lists will look much like mom's and dad's.

On Santa's list, a heavy dose of iPhones, both the 6 and 6 plus, along with laptops, tablets, Go-Pros and the Xbox One.

"Mom and dad, they want wearable technology," said Givens. They want to track their fitness, their exercise, their calories."

Another favorite is an oldie but goodie: televisions.

"We'll sell more TVs this year than we ever have before," said Steve Bratspies of Walmart.

And to make sure shoppers are getting the best bang for their buck, experts recommend shopping smart. And apparently a lot of people are.

"They're using all the right apps to make sure they're getting the best possible prices. One of the more popular apps is Fat Wallet, where you can compare deals from 1700 retailers."