Mattel magic.

• Position: What's New? Holiday Gifts Galore

Certain brand names just scream Christmas presents--Mattel being one of them. This holiday season is no exception as the company has a slew of "how-can-we-resist" items released under the Mattel Brands Consumer Products umbrella, including:

* Hot Wheels XTreme Video Camera ($99), KIDdesigns, Inc., Rahway, N.J., which comes complete with a multi-image lens, tripod, microphone, and blank video tape. The cordless hookup allows youngsters to transmit live video to the TV, then record to a VCR. In other words, they can star in their own movies.

* Barbie Real Vacuum ($49.99), Bissel Homecare, Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich., which turns housework into house fun. This cordless vac really works and can clean all kinds of surfaces, so kids will enjoy helping out with the chores. It's easy to use, lightweight, and rechargeable.

* Barbie B-Creative Education Center ($59.99), Oregon Scientific, Inc., Tualatin, which makes learning and creativity come to life in an interactive briefcase. The touch of a pen brings the pages alive with music, stories, and activities. Barbie helps children ages three to five with the alphabet and counting. Those ages six to eight learn reading, language, and math skills. Connect it to a TV and watch the activities jump onto the screen. There's even a microphone so kids can sing along.

* Matchbox Hero City Ice Mountain ($40), Mattel, Mt. Laurel, N.J., which is a winter--themed playset where kids are the...