Toys of yesteryear were also pretty sweet
They're likely to appear on eBay. They also show up at the toy shows at the Kane County Fairgrounds. And sometimes they'll pop up in toy stores that sell "classic" fare.
Tonight, Santa Claus is likely to be loaded down with Barbies, Transformers, Hannah Montana items, Hot Wheels, iPods and other electronic wonders for his rounds.
But what did the jolly old elf bring to young children in days gone by?
A trip down memory lane on this Christmas Eve should bring a smile to those who remember the magic of this night - and Christmas morning as youngsters - and still fills the hearts of children with joy.
You can revisit your old favorites through your computer search engine. But to make it easy, do you remember these toys under your Christmas tree?
Those glorious 1950s
In the early 1950s, Santa was likely to leave Silly Putty; Hopalong Cassidy outfits with toy guns, spurs and boots; stamp collecting books; "Beanies" with propeller tops; Dennis the Menace comics and toys; Kukla, Fran and Ollie puppets; or Howdy Doody puppets.
By the mid 1950s, kids were asking for roller skates; Davy Crockett coonskin caps; Hoola-Hoops; or Mr. Potato Head.
In the late 1950s, it was Fort Apache play sets; Zippy doll; "Bombs Away" missile game; Johnny Reb cannon; chemistry sets; or Jerry Mahoney ventriloquist puppets; Barbie dolls (1959 release) and a Barbie dollhouse.
Those wild 1960s
Under our tree in the 1960s, we were likely to find Bullseye marbles; Warriors of the World by Marx; jacks and a rubber ball; play cigarettes; Soakie character bubble bath containers; Twistables - Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy; Man from U.N.C.L.E. games; "Combat" Sgt. Saunders machine gun; Daisy Smoke and Bang rifle; assorted Batman items; Battleship game; Stratego game; Twister; Building Boom construction race game; Operation game; GI Joe dolls; Beatles dolls; and Etch-a-Sketch. The girls were thrilled to find Easy Bake Oven; Chatty Kathy; a Ken doll and/or a Barbie car.
In our current times
As we zoomed into the 1970s through the 1990s, the "hot toy" of the season rages began in full force.
Do you remember Rubik's Cube? How about your first skateboard?
Then the madness known as Cabbage Patch dolls hit, and families fell in love with Trivial Pursuit. But young boys went bonkers with Ghostbusters or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
More currently, the Beanie Babies craze took hold. And who didn't find a new pair of Rollerblades under the tree in the 1990s? And, of course, a favorite that remains to this day, Tickle Me Elmo.
It spreads the cheer
I've touched on the topic of toys the past week or so in the spirit of giving and sharing at this time of year. It's fun to read about old toys and the fun we had with them, but it is equally important to feel good in knowing that the efforts of hundreds of local people in collecting food and toys for families in need goes a long way toward bringing much holiday cheer.
A tip of Santa Claus' hat to one and all!