On the other hand, Cyber Monday continues to grow in popularity. CNNMoney.com reports that Cyber Monday sales climbed 14% from 2008 to 2009 and online shoppers bought 10% more per order compared to those who braved the crowded stores.

We think Cyber Monday will be bigger than ever in 2010, but what’s left to be determined is how brick-and-mortar stores will respond- better in-store deals or a bigger online presence?

Held in February and organized by the Toy Industry Association, the fair featured over 100,000 products and was the largest toy industry event in the Western Hemisphere. This is where analysts and insiders come to determine what will be hot for the upcoming year, and according to the Associated Press, toymakers are betting on inexpensive toys that use modest technology (call it the Zhu Zhu Pet Syndrome).

Predicted hot toys for 2010:

The Buzz Lightyear Blaster: An LCD game featuring the Disney Pixar Toy Story 3 star.

Barbie I Can Be News Anchor: To celebrate the 125th anniversary of Barbie, Mattel allowed fans to vote on a career choice for this doll (first time in Barbie history). News anchor Barbie, along with Computer Engineer Barbie, beat out other choices such as Journalist and Veterinarian.

Scrabble Flash Cubes: A digital version of Scrabble featuring letter cubes that are fit together to spell words. The cubes recognize valid words and keep score. How cool is that!

See full contest details here.

Here are a few of the highlights:

Gap Brands (Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Athleta Chi and Piperlime): 20% off and free shipping via code MONDAY

Crocs: 20% off Everything

White House Black Market: 20% off and free shipping via code 8002

Kate Spade: Extra 25% off sale items

Origins: $10 off $25 via code TenOff09

World Market: 20% off and free shipping with $50 via code 1DAYAFF

New York & Co.: 50% off and free shipping via code 4134

Arden B.: 30% off and free shipping with $15

Famous Footwear: 20% off via code THNKS09

Eddie Bauer: 25% off and free shipping via code CYBMON25

Chico’s: 25% off and free shipping via code 6760

Soma Intimates: 30% off and free shipping via code 7387

This is just an example of some of the great deals going on today. Happy Monday!

Here’s the clip – I come on around 2:35:

10. Like to imbibe during the holiday season but hate watery drinks? We found these Whiskey Stones at Think Geek for just $15.99 (after a $5 off $10 coupon is applied). The stones keep drinks cold and stiff, the way they should be during family gatherings.

9. The Ruger Semi-Automatic Pistol is marked down from $399.99 to $249.99 this Black Friday at Gander Mountain. With a shooting last Black Friday at a California ToysRUs, we’re not sure if this makes you safer or puts you in even more danger!

8. GameStop takes an extra $10-$20 off refurbished gaming systems, making a used PSP just $79.99 (retails new for around $160). This isn’t a bad deal, but it’s Black Friday! We’re going for the big savings on a brand new, under-warranty gaming system!

7. Black Friday is all about mega deals, so we definitely took note of the Mio 4.3″ GPS System for $79.99 at Radio Shack (normally $149.99), but Walmart has a similar TomTom 4.3″ GPS System for $89. Sure, it’s an extra $10, but we’re willing to pay a bit more for a well-known and trusted brand, especially since the model normally retails for as much as $180.

6. We love Overstock, but we think it’s a little odd they didn’t include pricing in their Black Friday 2009 ad. The ad is great for giving you an idea of what will be on sale (items include a Wii, camcorders, lots of toys, a Cole Haan woman’s coat, bedding and even an inversion table), but since most of the competitive doorbuster sales will be going on at stores, we’re not sure if staying home to see what Overstock’s pricing will be is worth the time.

5. Update: We’re sorry to say that we goofed on this one. Target has the Nikon S203, not the S230 as advertised at Walmart. Both cameras are 10MP, however the S230 has a touch screen and a few more operational modes. Either way, if you’re in the market for a solid digital camera, the S203 for $88 (retails for as much as $139.99) at Target is a good deal. The Nikon Coolpix 10mp S230 Digital Camera popped up in a lot of Black Friday ads this year. Walmart has the camera for $139, but Target is selling it in two colors for just $88!

4. The Ace Hardware Black Friday 2009 ad is full of “deals” that are actually mail-in rebate offers. We’re not paying full price for anything on Black Friday, and neither should you.

3. If you’re on the hunt for a deal on an iPod, you may not have to brave the Black Friday crowds at all. Amazon currently has the newest model of the iPod 8GB Nano (5th generation) for $134.99 with free shipping. The same iPod is available on Black Friday at Target for $145 with a free $15 Target giftcard and at BestBuy for $149.99. Even considering the free Target giftcard, the free shipping and limited sales tax makes Amazon a better deal. However, Amazon is literally changing prices on certain items by the minute, so act fast to take advantage of this deal!

2. As we mentioned the other day, Apple’s Black Friday “holiday shopping event” didn’t make the cut last year for great Black Friday deals. We’re hoping they’ll step it up and offer more than free shipping and 5%-10% off select items, but we’re not counting on it. Give the site a check, but don’t jump at the first price drop you see. Many retailers like Target, Toys R Us and Amazon will have better pricing and include bonus offers such as gift cards.

1. Perhaps the worst Black Friday deal goes to BestBuy. BestBuy screwed up the price of a popular refrigerator in their ad and then back-tracked – they won’t honor the price!

We’re crossing our fingers that they’ll redeem themselves this year, but do note that Apple is calling this a “holiday shopping event,” not a Black Friday sale.

View the Apple Black Friday One-Day Sale page.

The refrigerator retails for $2399, so we think that the $1699 price is still pretty good, but we’re a little disappointed with  BestBuy for not owning up to the mistake and selling the refrigerator for $1399. It also seems as if BestBuy is just creating more of a headache for their employees. Can you imagine having to tell all the Black Friday shoppers expecting to get the Samsung Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator that it’s suddenly $300 more? Yikes.

Thanks to Mike for giving us the scoop on the price change.