“Christmas creep” begins with holiday buzz about Zhu Zhu Hamster

It’s not even Halloween yet, not for almost an entire month, but this year’s projected toy shortage is already in full swing.

In fairness, it seems like a great idea, protecting an innocent hamster from Richard Gere or your bratty kid’s dangerous attention. But nearly three months out, web searches and chatter are off the hook for cuddly fake rodents. At a recession-friendly $10, the Zhu Zhu Hamster is cheap, but it’s currently out of stock at major online retailers like Toys ‘r’ Us and Amazon, and eBay prices are climbing. There’s also a big playset that costs $84 at Toys ‘r’ Us that’s not currently available.