Christmas shopping season is here and there’s something usual at the toy stores. For the first time in years there is no hot, must have toy. Last year it was Fingerlings, little animals that cling to a kid’s finger. This year there is no big buzz about any toy.
Maybe it’s time to bring back some of the hot toys of the 1970’s. Remember the Nerf Ball? that was the must have toy for boys in the early 70’s, a soft-ball sized foam ball you could throw in the house without breaking things. It was the pre-cursor to the whole family of Nerf Toys we see today.
One of the bestselling Barbie Dolls of the 70’s was Malibu Barbie. She came complete with bathing suit and a really great tan. And while Barbie was supposed to be dating Ken, in the 70’s there was a new man that probably stole Barbie’s attention: G.I. Joe with Kung Fu Grip. Besides being able to grab things, for the first time this G.I. Joe had actual hair! He had a fuzzy 70’s afro instead of painted on hair.
Also huge in the 70’s was the Pet Rock. That’s a gift you still make yourself. Just find a nice, smooth rock and glue on some googly eyes.
And don’t forget games like Clue, Operation and Battleship that were huge in the 1970’s and are still being played today. They are all great gift ideas for kids today, who apparently have no hot toy to lust after this Christmas.
