Monday Memories: Toys Of Christmas’ Past

I've collected some images of my childhood toys on Pinterest and this is the post where I share them with you:

My favorite toy of all time were Colorforms. This was my earliest set and I never would have remembered it if I hadn't seen it on Pinterest. I'm guessing outerspace themed toys were popular in the late 1960's (along with The Jetsons - Hey Ron!!!). I also remember having Barbie and Peanuts Colorform sets.

The Heidi doll came in its own carrying case. There was a button on her back that made her arm go up to wave. That bow on top was held by a small straight pin - not safe! Spoiler alert: I still have my Heidi doll in the case. Alas, it only sells for between $25-40 on ebay.

The Chrissy doll was very popular when it debuted in 1968. There was a knob on the back of the doll which extended or retracted her hair. I remember receiving this doll and thinking it was strange that it had red hair. Twenty some years later, I birthed two daughters with red hair, which is still a bit strange to me!

Tubsy was probably my favorite doll. She came with this pink bathtub and the plastic bear. You filled the tub with water and flipped a switch on her back which made her splash her arms in the water. I think you could position the bear in her hands so that the bells would ring when she moved her arms.

Another favorite of mine was the Barbie Camper. I spent hours playing with this. Truth be told, it was a birthday present (as were probably other of these toys) but let's play along here with the Christmas theme.

My maternal grandparents lived three hours away and had 22 other grandchildren, so we did not see them for Christmas very often, nor did we receive gifts from them. However, I do remember one year that they spent Christmas with us and I received a red loom like this from them. I made many, many potholders with it and I handed it down to my girls, who also enjoyed using it.

Another favorite of mine was the Lite-Brite. After I used up all of the designs that came in the box, I would put black construction paper in it and make up my own pictures for various holidays. 

There's currently a commercial running for the show 'Monk' where the main character gives his son a rock tumbler, to the dismay of the son and his friends. I actually loved my rock tumbler. I would look for small rocks in our driveway to polish with the kit.

For a boy crazy girl like me, there was nothing better than the idea of Mystery Date. Unfortunately, the plastic doorknob broke on mine not long after I received it and despite my scotch tape repairs, it never worked well. Complete dud.

I spent many hours playing Squeezed Out with my best friend on our back stoop. When I saw the game for sale in the early 2000's, I snapped it up. My kids were less impressed than I was, but we still have it and will get it out for the grandkids when they are old enough.

Toss Across, the precursor to Corn Hole, but with a lot more strategy involved.

One year, in the class gift exchange, I received a packet of plain white paper with the Spirograph logo on the wrapper. Whatever parent sent that in with their kid was a real sadist. My parents felt sorry for me and ended up buying me a Spirograph. I liked it, but it had limited appeal for me.

Okay, I'm fairly certain this was not a gift, but something I bought for myself. Does anyone remember Clackers? No parent in their right mind would purchase these mind numbing noise makers. But we all had them and loved them!

Last but not least, my coveted Butterfly Duncan yoyo. Duncan was the brand to have, and in my mind, I was able to perform incredible tricks with it. 

Me at age 5 with my brother and our Christmas loot. I’m holding Tubsy. Please note the cardboard fireplace that we hung our stockings from.

What were some of your favorite childhood toys?

This will be my last post for 2022. Wishing everyone a Joyful Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!