Build yourself a Xoddo

Whoever's behind Xoddo has some pretty modern-day marketing up their sleeve. Alerted by an ad at the top of my gMail, I clicked through to find a website utilising every crumb of web 2.0 sales savvy known to man - and to great effect. Read the blog, browse the picture galleries, then sign up and start designing - that's the idea.

Xoddos are soft toys you custom-build online. Are they monsters or friendly creatures? To an extent, that's up to you and the features you choose. There's almost an infinite number of possible configurations, meaning that you could well be designing a unique creature, but for inspiration, you can visit the Picasa photo gallery showing other people's finished work.

One aspect that parents will appreciate is that, although you have to register, there's no compulsion to buy. You can design as many creatures as you like, and print them out, and never have to shell out for the real thing. But if you do, you may wish to know that prices begin at $18.00.