Guest Author - Christine Blachford

It's that time of year again, when the question often arises: "What can we get them for Christmas?" If you know a Formula 1 fan, then this set of articles may be for you. Perhaps you're stuck for ideas, you might want a hint, or maybe you just want to buy an early gift for yourself, these guides should help.

Today we're looking at toys and models, available from various teams and merchandise shops. I've picked out some of the ones I like the best, but there are a lot of gifts available online.

Ferrari Teddy Bear
This cute bear is just under 30cm tall, and dressed in Ferrari overalls. The one good thing about a Ferrari bear compared to any of the others, is that the livery is unlikely to change very much year on year. The bear is also available as a keyring.

The Jim Bamber Collection
I did cover these last year, but the collection is just adorable and many of the teams are available. You can get models of the drivers and mechanics waving, or sitting in the car. There's even a model of The Stig from Top Gear.

Heikki Kovalainen 2008 Helmet
This scale model of the Finn's 2008 helmet is a little bit pricey, but is an exact replica made from fibreglass with the sponsor logos and even a realistic buckle. There's also a Lewis Hamilton or Ayrton Senna model available.

Die Cast Models
These models are available from almost every team under the sun, and from almost any period since Grand Prix racing began. The models vary in size, and it's worth noting that some of the items have a picture of the car in action rather than the model itself. However, there are some I'd like in there!

Ferrari Lego
The lego bricks are now available in a Ferrari shape, with the F1 car, transporter and Ferrari pit garage up for grabs.

Personally, I'd like to see more of the cuddly teddy bears available. I've only managed to find a Ferrari, BMW and Toyota bear, so I think the other teams are missing out. I'll settle for the lego, though.