12 Toys You Only Got During the Holidays
This listicle highlights 12 memorable toys that were most often received as special holiday gifts across different decades.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
This article features 12 toys that brought extra joy during the holiday season. Each one was a gift that felt exciting to unwrap and fun to play with. The list blends toys from different eras, creating a mix of timeless charm and nostalgic memories.
1. Wooly Willy
Jose from Chicago, USA on Wikimedia Commons
Remember the thrill of dragging metal filings into a funny hairstyle on a Wooly Willy face? Launched in 1955, this inexpensive toy let creativity and chaos run wild under the glow of holiday lights. Generations of kids giggled through magnet-made beards and eyebrows, making it a strangely mesmerizing stocking stuffer.
2. Timeless Wooden Train Set
ProjectManhattan on Wikimedia Commons
Nothing matched the quiet magic of assembling a wooden train on the floor, tracks snaking around the living room tree. These toys, proudly highlighted in vintage Christmas gift guides, connect back to centuries of craftsmanship and holiday tradition.
3. Easy-Bake Oven – Bake-It-Yourself Magic
Bradross63 on Wikimedia Commons
The smell of batter, the gentle hum of the oven — this toy turned holiday mornings into tiny culinary adventures. Since its 1963 debut, it’s served up millions of mini cakes, sparking pride, delight, and maybe a sugar crash or two.
4. Teddy Ruxpin—Storytelling Buddy
Worlds of Wonder; Forsse, Earl Kenneth on Wikimedia Commons
Who else got lost in the tales of a cassette-talking bear? Teddy Ruxpin’s moving mouth and taped stories made him a holiday must-have in the ’80s, and a rare collector’s dream today, with original versions fetching hundreds.
5. Lazer Tag—Holiday Laser Battles
彭家杰 on Wikimedia Commons
Holidays turned into neon battlegrounds with Lazer Tag sets in tow. The clicking guns and glowing vests made every hallway a mission zone; nothing felt more festive than ducking behind couches lit up by glowing sensors.
6. Cabbage Patch Kid—Adoptable Holiday Classic
Appalachian Artworks, Inc on Wikimedia Commons
Choosing a Cabbage Patch Kid felt like adopting a new family member — it didn’t feel like Christmas until that adoption certificate arrived. These soft, squishy dolls defined holiday joy in the ’80s and remain memorabilia icons.
7. Mr. Potato Head—Build-A-Face Fun
Deror_avi on Wikimedia Commons
Swapping out Mr. Potato Head features was holiday theater at its best — one minute he’s sporting sunglasses, the next a flirty mustache. A silly puzzle wrapped in humor, this ‘50s toy remains a quirky festive favorite.
8. Flatsy—Flat Doll Fashion Statements
SabinavonKessel on Wikimedia Commons
Flatsy dolls lay flat, but their style was anything but; it was like unwrapping a charming fashion magazine toy card. Each came with mod accessories, and the packaging even turned into a picture-frame keepsake.
9. Rainbow Brite—Colorful Holiday Cheer
VioletStemz on Wikimedia Commons
Everything shone just a little brighter with Rainbow Brite under the tree. From dolls to banks to glowing costumes, the ’84 line painted holidays in vivid hues, and still sparkles through pure nostalgia.
10. Nutcracker Doll—Decorative & Delightful
Raul654 on Wikimedia Commons
Beyond unwrapping, these Nutcracker dolls became part of the holiday décor — solid wood, festive uniforms, and always perched near the tree. It’s a blend of folklore, ballet, and craftsmanship that feels more seasonal than most toys.
11. Hess Toy Truck—Annual Collectible Roadster
Q0ywo on Wikimedia Commons
Opening a Hess Toy Truck on Christmas felt like launching a new tradition each year. From fire trucks to spaceships, these $1.30 wonders evolved, and many now fetch thousands in collector circles.
12. Fisher-Price Dream Doll House—Tiny Home, Big Memories
BurfordTolsey&Archive on Wikimedia Commons
That uncanny dollhouse with its odd faces sat in so many playrooms — it was visually weird but utterly enchanting. Today, complete sets can go for hundreds, reminding us that nostalgia pays, even in dollhouse rent.