# Toys you wanted for Christmas but never got.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [December 7, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539 "2005-12-07T18:54:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/1 "2005-12-07T18:54:15Z")

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I always wanted one of those big ass Barbie heads that you apply makeup to. My mom was afraid I’d get the makeup everywhere, or want to wear it myself. So I improvised. She had one of those plastic wig stands with a face on it. That plus a box of Crayolas, voila!

I also wanted one of those Victorian porcelain dolls that you can’t play with. My parents were afraid I’d break it. They were never going to let me forget what happened to poor Marboro the Mustang when I was 5. I didn’t want him to get cold so I parked him in front of the wall heater, and his nose melted off.

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**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/2 "2005-12-07T18:58:47Z")

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When I was a kid I never got much into the **Wanting Something for Christmas** thing. I still don’t. The Bus Wife asks, and I shrug.

The one time. Ever. That I asked her for something specific, I was disappointed.

[Here](http://www.accuweather.com/fb/pdf/STORM_ALERT_0169-01A.PDF) is what I’m still waiting for to show up in front of my fireplace someday.

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**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/3 "2005-12-07T19:00:14Z")

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Not so much a toy, but something I had on my wish list for years was one of those simple, cream-colored cable knit sweaters from Ireland or Scotland. My parents kept coming back from the UK with blue wool sweater vests. :dubious:

I finally had to go to Scotland and buy my own.

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**Author:** ![Nature\_s\_Call](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nature_s_call/32/19006_2.png) [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/4 "2005-12-07T19:01:51Z")

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When I was a pre-schooler the neighbour across the street had a “Ready Ranger.” This was a plastic backpack that opened up to reveal a cool array of gizmos, a periscope, star charts, a bunch of stuff I can’t remember - but it was coo-wuhl!

Every single year for Christmas thereafter until perhaps 10-11 that was the only thing on my list. Every Christmas was a disappointment (wrt the Ready Ranger only).

I asked my mom about it as an adult. She says she scoured the globe for one every year but they probably discontinued the line.

To this day, every now and then, I get wistful and poke around places like eBay myself trying to find one. I actually did find a picture of one once. But alas, this is my unfulfilled Christmas hole in my soul - thanks for reminding me!

sulks away

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**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/5 "2005-12-07T19:02:35Z")

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When I was 7 or 8 I wanted Holly Hobbie’s General Store Colorforms. Really bad. My mom must have been confused because she bought them…for me to give to my little sister for Christmas.

It was awful. I’m still bitter.

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**Author:** ![OldBroad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ed655f/32.png) [@OldBroad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldBroad)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/6 "2005-12-07T19:07:56Z")

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A chemistry set. My mother was afraid I’d blow up the house so I never got one. I coulda been a (Nobel) contenda!

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**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/7 "2005-12-07T19:08:43Z")

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I never got the Erector Set that I asked for every. single. year. I still (at 33) want one. I also wanted one of those Hot Wheels racetracks. My Mom thought it was too “boysish” for me so never got it. I’m sort of getting over not having one though.  
Where’s my Rock Tumbler, Dad? You guys got me a chemistry set for my 10th birthday but I never got my Rock Tumbler. :::pout:::

I’ll just buy them myself

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**Author:** ![Nature\_s\_Call](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nature_s_call/32/19006_2.png) [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/8 "2005-12-07T19:09:52Z")

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For the curious:

[Ready Ranger Mobile Field Pack by Aurora](http://www.timewarptoys.com/ready1.jpg)

_sigh_

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**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/9 "2005-12-07T19:10:16Z")

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What I really need is the ability to not be a dumbass and remember to copy the link correctly before I paste it. What I didn’t need is an Accuweather link.

[THIS](http://imdb.com/name/nm0000227/) is what I wanted.

:wally

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**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/10 "2005-12-07T19:24:19Z")

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My sister wanted one of those EZ-bake ovens for so long. She asked for it for years and years. Never got it.

Me, I wanted a pony. I figured I could keep it in the backyard. Asked Santa for one many a time. Never got one, though.

Thanks SANTA. Thanks for ruining two little girl’s dreams.

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**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/11 "2005-12-07T19:26:31Z")

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> [@Mr Bus Guy](#):
>
> What I really need is the ability to not be a dumbass and remember to copy the link correctly before I paste it. What I didn’t need is an Accuweather link.
> 
> [THIS](http://imdb.com/name/nm0000227/) is what I wanted.
> 
> :wally

Ho ho ho-yes! Just add some mistletoe and enjoy.

You beat me to the joke, darn you.

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**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/12 "2005-12-07T19:31:36Z")

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An E-Z Bake Oven. My dad was a fire-fighter is the Navy and very aerated over fire safety – he didn’t think they looked safe. I wasn’t old enough (and the internet hadn’t been invented yet) to find sites proving that nobody ever burned their house down with an E-Z Bake Oven o’ Death.

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**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/13 "2005-12-07T19:35:41Z")

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I wanted a metal, scale-model Batmobile, built in exacting detail, like the one on the TV series. But three Christmases and birthdays went by, and I never got one. By that time, series had gone off the air, and the toy was discontinued. I’ve not seen another one since about 1969.

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**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/14 "2005-12-07T19:37:58Z")

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> [@Batsinma Belfry](#):
>
> I always wanted one of those big ass Barbie heads that you apply makeup to. My mom was afraid I’d get the makeup everywhere, or want to wear it myself.

My mother bought me one. Not only did I get the makeup everywhere and come out of my room looking like a drunken Vegas showgirl, I also burned poor Barbie’s hair off with a curling iron.

I can’t think of anything I _reeeeeeeally_ wanted but never got. It was one of the upsides of having a birthday so close to Christmas–Mom and Dad always felt bad that my birthday was never as “important” as my brother’s.

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**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/15 "2005-12-07T19:37:59Z")

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Around 1979 or so, someone make a cool spaceship toy that made noise depending on if you held it so the nose was pointing up or down. You know, it made “spaceship rising” noises if it was heading up, and “spaceship descending” noises if you held it nose down. Nevermind that “up” and “down” don’t really mean a whole lot in space.

Anyway, my parents weren’t making a ton of cash in those times, and it was more expensive than the toys I normally got. I figured it was a long shot, but I really, really wanted one. Star Wars was my life, and this was a Real Spaceship that made Real Noises.

I didn’t get it. But my uncle bought one for two of my snot-nosed male cousins, both of which were younger than me, and neither had even heard of the toy.

I was so jealous that I contemplated stealing one, but I couldn’t figure out how I’d play with it without someone knowing I stole it.

I still want one. And I still blame my uncle for assuming that I wouldn’t want one because I was a girl.

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**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/16 "2005-12-07T19:40:27Z")

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A Lite Brite!! (Too many pieces) And a Spirograph! (Way too messy)

Or basically anything Name Brand. I always got the off-brand Barbie whose legs were hollow plastic.

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**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/17 "2005-12-07T19:43:06Z")

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> [@DeVena](#):
>
> A Lite Brite!! (Too many pieces)

Dad had to get the pegs out of my nose with pliers.

> [@](#):
>
> And a Spirograph! (Way too messy)

Those gears could cut if you had a determined older brother.

Name a late-70’s/early-80’s toy, I can tell you how I hurt myself or caused destruction with it. 😃

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**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/18 "2005-12-07T19:47:54Z")

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> [@Draelin](#):
>
> Name a late-70’s/early-80’s toy, I can tell you how I hurt myself or caused destruction with it. 😃

Lincoln Logs?

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**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/19 "2005-12-07T19:53:54Z")

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> [@CandidGamera](#):
>
> Lincoln Logs?

My brother used to pelt me with them at Grandma’s house. And those fuckers _hurt_.

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**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/20 "2005-12-07T19:55:07Z")

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I asked for a [Capsela](http://www.brain-builders.com/capsela.html) kit 5 Christmases in a row, but never got one ☹

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