Last year they give the stores the list in advance, and it was a nightmare. Guests would call the day before and ask to have the toy put on hold...and then they wouldn't pick it up...or they would all be on hold when we opened, leaving none for those who actually come into the store. Or, they would buy the toy days in advance and come in and argue about having us adjust it for the cartwheel.
It's much nicer this way.