Every year around this time, I do a survey of the toys being offered to kids for Christmas, so I was extra delighted when I got a catalogue a well-known toymaker in my postbox. After a careful skimming, I have to report, it’s the same every year and probably since time immemorial, dolls for girls and cars and dolls for boys, superheroes for boys and baby dolls that pee and cry, just like real babies.
It’s true, boys are playing with dolls, what was previously taboo is now collected and swapped with fervor, fortunes are paid out for rare items. Did I say doll? It’s not a doll, it’s an action figure.
I really like the wrestlers, I want an action figure of the Undertaker, coffin, eye make-up and all. There are lots of dragon things for those that care, a plastic volcano that could go into the backyard of a Barbie house, and the entire cast of High School Musical at 15cm high.
Superheroes well represented, Spiderman, Iron Man, Incredible Hunk, nothing really new, all of them dolls.
For girls, it’s all Bratz, and I know they’re supposed to be controversial, but if I was a little girl, I would love to get one, or seven, plus the electric guitars, the Santa suit and the heart-shaped drumkit. I look for a hint of sluttiness in their outfits that people keep screeching about. Maybe it’s me, but it all looked quite proper, certainly a tad more conservative than when I was a lass, back in the day.
I'm looking forward to seeing what sells, because this year's going to be a tough one. My favourites were the WowWee Fly Tech Butterfly, “able to withstand multiple crashings”and the Silverlit Apache helicopter, “designed to survive hard landings and collisions.”
Today I read that Hot Wheels boycar company is worth more than General Motors and if that doesn’t tell you which way the wind is blowing. Toys are hot and you can play with them. Pity you bought that house, you should have invested in My Little Pony and Smurf.
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