# Toys you wanted for Christmas but never got. **URL:** \ **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:** 2
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/21 "2005-12-07T19:55:12Z")
> [@Nature's Call](#): > > 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! Heh, I remember seeing tons of full page color ads for the Ready Ranger in old comic books my dad has from the late 1960s and 1970s. It features a 6 panel frame of how a group of 12 year olds on a camping trip escape grisly death at the hands of the elements, all thanks to the Ready Ranger’s amazing powers! ---
**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, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/22 "2005-12-07T19:58:07Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > My brother used to pelt me with them at Grandma’s house. And those fuckers _hurt_. They were fairly stout. Hmmm. Hot Wheels? ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/23 "2005-12-07T20:02:12Z")
A Lite-Brite. My friend got one. I went to her house to “play” with it. What a lame toy. I wanted normal things–not sure just what those were, but I know I never asked for the entire Oz collection by L Frank Baum or Raggedy Anne and Andy (those were ok) or the A line gray wool skirts–one every year until I graduated from HS. I never wore one. Normal things would have been Shrinky Dinks, Mad Libs, Wacky Packs, those plastic sticker-like things that you could make different scenes out of and move them around. Del-something, I think. Dawn dolls (not Barbie), who knows what else. Once I did get a Dawn doll and her Beauty Parlor. Heaven! Then back to the gray skirts and stuff. I overbuy for my kids. Gee, I wonder why… ---
**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, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/24 "2005-12-07T20:04:56Z")
Wacky Packs! Capsela! Oooh, take me back Mr. Peabody! ---
**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, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/25 "2005-12-07T20:08:15Z")
One year I just had to have [The Sunshine Family.](http://collectdolls.about.com/b/a/176861.htm) I was so upset about not getting it for Christmas, that my parents got it for my birthday in June. But sometime between December and June, there had been a TV movie about a mentally handicapped couple that wanted to have a baby. It was sad. The Sunshine Family looked like they may be mentally handicapped and they had a baby. It bothered me, and I rarely played with them. My sister tried to tell me they were obviously hippies, and just stoned. ---
**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, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/26 "2005-12-07T20:08:32Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Normal things would have been Shrinky Dinks, Mad Libs, Wacky Packs, those plastic sticker-like things that you could make different scenes out of and move them around. Del-something, I think. Dawn dolls (not Barbie), who knows what else. Colorforms? ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/27 "2005-12-07T20:11:58Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Colorforms? Yes! Thank you. I loved those things–I could spend hours making different scenes and stuff. I COULD, that is, if I had ever HAD any. Bitter? No, why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/28 "2005-12-07T20:12:40Z")
I never got a lite Bright when I was 7. I don’t miss having one, I don’t remember why it seemed cool. ---
**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, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/29 "2005-12-07T20:25:48Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > I never got a lite Bright when I was 7. I don’t miss having one, I don’t remember why it seemed cool. Yeah, once VGA supplanted EGA the pegged colour system lost much of its appeal. ---
**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, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/30 "2005-12-07T20:27:10Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Hot Wheels? Any parent who’s stepped on one can tell you they’re dangerous. 🙂 And don’t even _mention_ the Sit N’ Spin. Headwound waiting to happen. ---
**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, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/31 "2005-12-07T20:28:03Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Colorforms? Smells waaay better than chloroform… I think… ---
**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, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/32 "2005-12-07T20:47:04Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > Any parent who’s stepped on one can tell you they’re dangerous. 🙂 And don’t even _mention_ the Sit N’ Spin. Headwound waiting to happen. Teddy Ruxpin? ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/33 "2005-12-07T20:57:54Z")
I always wanted [Rock-em Sock-em Robots.](http://www.robotoys.com/Rockem.gif) See how happy those little dweebs are? I also always wanted a [Go-Cart.](http://www.snc.edu/socsci/chair/333/river/images/gocart.jpg) I did get a Honda 50cc minibike though, so no big deal. And finally I always wanted a [Hot Wheels Parking Garage](http://www.vicas.biz/shopimages/servicecentretoy.jpg). (That pic isn’t exactly right.) Ok so who’s going to make all my unfulfilled childhood dreams come true? ---
**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, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/34 "2005-12-07T21:02:48Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Teddy Ruxpin? I didn’t have a Teddy Ruxpin. Mom said “Do you want one?” I said “Heck no, Mom, that thing freaks me out.” She said “Good–I’m slightly afraid of it.” To this day, I’m still leery of Teddy Ruxpin. I think he’s got an agenda. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/35 "2005-12-07T21:03:50Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Teddy Ruxpin? Get your fingers pinched by the moving mouth? Plus, mean older brothers could record a new tape and stick it in the bear, and the teddy would then appear to be saying horrible things like how no one likes you, or how Satan will claim your soul. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/36 "2005-12-07T21:05:14Z")
I forgot - I wanted Legos. I ended up buying myself a big set during my teenage years. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2005, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/37 "2005-12-07T21:10:41Z")
> [@Ferret Herder](#): > > I forgot - I wanted Legos. I ended up buying myself a big set during my teenage years. I still like Legos & Trains. I keep buying my kids Legos and Trains. ---
**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, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/38 "2005-12-07T21:28:04Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > 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. I think I had both versions of that toy. The larger white one was called “The Avenger” and the smaller black one was “The Intruder.” They made the rising and falling sounds as well as a “weapon” sound when you pushed the button on the top. I remember that you could take off the head (which had all the electronics) and the engine and put them together to make a mini-spaceship. I had those toys for quite a few years (they were well built) and I played with them A LOT. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/39 "2005-12-08T00:33:18Z")
Crap. I mixed up my threads. Here are some toys that I shared in another Xmas thread… knockers, chinese jumpropes, talking Barbie and Ken. (didn’t really want Barbie, but everyone else had her, so…). The Dream House came out about then, I think. Yo-yo’s became a craze, too. There was a thing you put around your ankle that had a red plastic bell atached to it and you skipped with it–I longed for one of those. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539/40 "2005-12-08T00:47:00Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > Dad had to get the pegs out of my nose with pliers. > 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. 😃 Did the pegs light up when the were in you’re nose? I’d think so because you seem so bright. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toys-you-wanted-for-christmas-but-never-got/334539.md?page=3)