Was it Christmas when you got your new toys as a kid?
It was for me.
OK, there was a slow drip of gifts and impulse buys throughout the year, maybe a surprise at Easter and certainly pick-me-ups when I was ill and off school (yay!).
But it was Christmas Day when my shelves were re-stocked properly, the new must-haves like Haunted House and the Johnny Seven One Man Army appearing under the tree (just how did Father Christmas get that down the chimney?).
My Christmas-located birthday just added to the festive bonanza and basically the two big days brought me up to date in the world of toydom and annuals, not to mention clothes and selection boxes! (They were the best!)
What was it like for you readers?
The first big toy I remember having for Christmas was a Tinplate Fire Station in 1963. There was also a big battery operated floating Sea Plane, in later years Thunderbird 5, Zero-X and the Johnny Astro. One year, I had a large Lego set.
ReplyDeleteEvery Christmas from 1967 up until 1971 I'd also have a Board Game like BlastOff or Mouse Trap. Plus those wonderful Century 21 Annuals, later Countdown.
For my birthday it was usually a Dinky Diecast with Action Man uniforms and kit. Occasionally an Easter present.
But for me, in those glorious days from 1965 to 1971 the highlight was always a Thunderbirds related toy. Zero-X being number one.
Fabulous memories Bill. So many great toys too. I agree, the Zero-X was the king of the space toy vehicles. What a toy! So many moving sections!
DeleteMy birthday was just as fruitful, although my little brother lost out having his January birthday... Probably a victim of parental spending burnout, post-holidays.
ReplyDeleteHow cool Baron, which was your best Birthday prezzie?
DeleteWhen still a teenager I started running Dungeons and Dragons games. I made a wishlist of every book that I didn't have from the Judges Guild line of accessories. I got them ALL for my birthday that year.. Maybe fifty books.
DeleteGood Lord! What a bounty! How cool of your folks to get you all those!
DeleteXmas Morning was a Cornucopia of Joy for a spoiled kid in the US, let me tell ya! Too many wonderful gift to recall. Lots of model trains because that was my thing back then. SFZ
ReplyDeleteA cornucopia! My, I wish I could have seen Santas bundle at the SF house!
DeleteYup, Christmas and birthday were the two biggies. At some point during the early ‘60s I also started getting a few gifts at Easter which - even as a youngster - I thought odd. Mind you, I didn’t complain but it still felt weird.
ReplyDeleteYes, Easter prezzies morphed from choccy eggs in cups into eggs in toy lorries and even more toy-like gifts! I didn't moan either Ed! 😆
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