In Victorian times, finding an orange in your stocking on Christmas morning was a special surprise. Fast-forward to the last half-century, the most popular Christmas toy has seen vital change, leaping from oranges to the Wii, with each season’s “hot” toy poles apart from the last. Here’s a look back at some of the most beloved holiday toys that have sent the public into shopping frenzies over the last few decades.
1970s – ‘Star Wars’ action figures
The first “Star Wars” film hit theaters in 1977 and was quickly met with runaway success. Captivating audiences worldwide, the pop-culture phenomenon led to the launch of “Star Wars” toys. By Christmas of that year, “Star Wars” action figures were in such high demand that toy manufacturers introduced the “early bird” certificate package that allowed fans to pre-order their action figures. “Star Wars” toys marked the beginning of a toy empire, cementing the franchise as a centerpiece of Christmas gifting that decade.
1980s – Rubik’s Cube
Initially called the “Magic Cube,” the Rubik’s Cube was invented in 1974 by Ernő Rubik but didn’t take off until 1980. With its incredibly simplistic design blended with a layer of complexity, the toy captured millions of imaginations worldwide. The Rubik’s Cube wasn’t just a toy, but rather a symbol of the era’s growing fascination with puzzles and brain teasers. From 1980 to 1983 alone, the Rubik’s Cube sold over 100 million units, reaching the top of the most-wanted Christmas gift list in the 80s. Despite its popularity peaking in this decade, to date, the Rubik’s Cube remains a beloved classic and one of the best-selling puzzles of all time.
1990s – Beanie Babies
Introduced by toymaker Ty Warner in 1993, Beanie Babies emerged as one of the first internet fads. These squishy stuffed animals with adorable names were collected not only as toys but also as investment items due to their presumed scarcity which led to a high resale value. Marketing tactics drove Beanie Babies to the center of a collecting frenzy, and by the end of 1996, Warner had amassed over $250 million in sales. Fans of all ages scoured high and low that holiday season for the collectibles, with some rare Beanie Babies selling for thousands of dollars. Although the craze for the stuffed toys eventually subsided in the early 2000s, Beanie Babies are remembered as a defining toy of the 1990s.
2000s – Wii
Starting at the turn of the 21st century, the era saw a widespread prevalence of technology that revolutionized the toy industry. Nintendo came out with an affordable, family-friendly game console that featured innovative motion-sensing technology, making gaming more accessible and engaging. Cheaper than both the Sony PlayStation 3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360, holiday shoppers made a beeline for the Wii, with the game console being on 32% of Christmas wishlists. By the end of its seven-year run, the Wii had sold more than 100 million units, making it one of the most successful gaming consoles of its generation.
2010s – ‘Frozen’ dolls
Disney’s animated “Frozen” dominated the box office following its 2013 release. Suddenly, everybody wanted to build a snowman in 2014, and the film’s success unleashed a flurry of merchandise. From Elsa dolls to Olaf plushies, “Frozen” merchandise exploded onto the scene, replacing 11-year winner Barbie that holiday season at #1 on the wish list for girls. At over half a billion in sales, all things “Frozen” flew off the toy shelves during the 2010s. With the toys still bought and sold as of today, “Frozen” fever has shown its power to the world.
2020s
The 2020s have witnessed wide-ranging trends over the years, from the recent “Barbie” movie sparking a resurgence of Barbie dolls to the booming popularity of Squishmallows and LEGO sets. Whether this decade will be remembered for plastic dolls or cuddly plush toys, however, only time will tell.
