My children were busy this past weekend making their Christmas wish lists. As I read through their lists, I thought about how each year seems to bring about some new “must-have” toy or game and a mad frenzy by parents to try to secure one for their child. According to the History channel’s History Lists, each decade was characterized by the following most popular and sought after toys. How many of these do you remember? Better yet, how many of these did you have? Or do you STILL have?
1910’s – Teddy Bears, erector sets, trains
1920’s – a Yo-yo, Tinker toys, Raggedy Ann
1930’s – Shirley Temple doll, Monopoly, Red Ryder BB gun
1940’s – a Slinky, LEGOs, Silly Putty
1950’s – Mr. Potato Head, Hula Hoop, Tonka trucks, Barbie, Playdough
1960’s – G.I. Joe, Etch-a-Sketch, Easy Bake Oven
1970’s – Start Wars action figures, NERF balls, Speak and Spells
1980’s – Cabbage Patch Dolls, Rubik’s cubes, Transformers, Teddy Ruxpin, Koosh balls
1990’s – Beanie Babies and Tickle Me Elmo, Furbys, Nintendo Game Boys
2000’s – Wii gaming consoles, Zhu Zhu pets, Bratz dolls, Webkinz
(http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/10-christmas-toys-through-the-decades)
Whether these were cherished toys or longed-for-but-never-gotten dreams, isn’t it interesting how our lists change as we grow older? I came across the following quote and it resonated with me deeply….
“I think as you grow older your Christmas list gets shorter because you realize the things that you really want can’t be bought.” – unknown
As you find yourself buried in lists and ads and the latest must-haves, I hope that you are able to steal away for a moment and consider what you really want for Christmas. Whether it’s healing from pain, freedom from an addiction, or to repair a broken relationship, I pray that the magic and wonder of the season helps you take the steps to make it happen.
Counselor, NCC, CCTP