Christmas Toys
in the Fifties
Isn't it
amazing how much toys have changed since the 50's ?
To day's kids most likely would not know what to do with the
toys we prized as kids.
Kids' lists for Christmas this year
will most likely include gifts such as Xboxs, PlayStation 3s,
Nintendo Wiis, CDs, DVDs, computers, computer games, IPods and
cell phones. Some kids may even be wishing for new
cars.
In the fifties,
kids spent hours pouring over the Sears Christmas catalog
making their wish lists. Back then, young boys were
hoping to get such things as BB guns, Lincoln logs, erector
sets, train sets, Robby the robot, bicycles and Radio Flyer
wagons. For years, one of the most wanted gifts by boys
was a coonskin cap. They dreamed of looking just
like Fess Parker who starred on Davy Crocket TV
show.
Young girls were hoping Santa would
bring them one of the glamorous dolls featured in the Sears
catalog. The most desired dolls in the fifties were Tiny
Tears and Betsy Wetsy. Christmas of 1959 found many
little girls hoping they would get the new doll Barbie which
was introduced that year. Other gifts that were on many
young girls lists were doll houses, doll clothes, and paper
dolls. Older girls were hoping to get clothes, portable
45 RPM record players and records.
Roller skates were a popular Christmas gift
in the fifties. Kids like us who lived in Arkansas were
thrilled if Santa brought them roller skates.
Remember how much fun we had with Slinkys and yo-yos - we
could entertain ourselves for hours. Kids of today might
not believe the toys we received brought us so much
joy.
Chances are some of the Christmas
gifts we received were purchased with S & H Green
Stamps. Those stamps were issued at supermarkets, gas
stations, drug stores and even some department stores.
How many of you remember licking those little green stamps and
sticking them into the saver books? Some of our moms
only shopped at stores that offered S & H Green
Stamps. Any of you remember visiting a Green Stamps
store?
The 50's were indeed a much simpler
time! Those of us who were raised in the 50's are truly
blessed! The Christmas memories the majority of us have
are truly irreplaceable.
|