I had that same issue at TRU. I was there, looking around, noticed the sets, and then the LEGO representative says she has to take them down until Jan 1.

If you are going to get a few, why not wait until a BOGO sale of some sort? They come around often enough...

-CF

I find it odd that for the one line that US stores have been strictly told not to sell until the new year, it is being sold early in countries such as my own....

Once you can buy them, I strongly recommend the Ninja Ambush set - fantastic minifigs (red ninja!), parts (gold claw) and price!