While the 1996 Christmas season was dominated by Tyco's Tickle Me Elmo doll, Sing & Snore Ernie became the most sought-after present for 1997. A December 1997 New York Times article described the scene at a New York City toy store: “At the Toys R Us in Union Square, there was not an Ernie to be seen last week. But there was a huge pyramid of furry, red Tickle Me Elmos, last year's craze. "I gave up on Ernie two months ago," said Katherine Kanakis, who was eyeing the Elmos for her 8-month-old nephew, Kyle. "Maybe I'll get an Elmo, but he already seems passe."