As a kid at Christmas, What toy did you want so bad it kept you up at night? (and did you get it?) 4 4

[sagii]

..Not mine, but Stretch Armstrong and the Shogun Warriors certainly had me driving my parents crazy with my pestering for Christmas.  Got Stretch and one of the Warriors. Really wanted the Godzilla one too though. 

[comicquant]

When I was 11 or 12 all I wanted was a fluorescent green mike Dominguez diamondback hot streak freestyle bike.  It had a rotor, mags, the works.  A freestylers dream bike.  I was certain it wasn’t going to happen as financially my parents were going through a rough patch at this time and we never got presents like that anyway.  So the day came and I went downstairs, did a brief scan and figured it would still be fun.  Opened up all of our gifts and sat down for lunch etc.  my dad said “you forgot to check behind the couch”.  I seriously didn’t think about it at this point so I quickly glanced and didn’t see anything.  He said “actually look behind the couch”...  I caught a glimpse of the handle bars and passed out.  My dad said I looked like a sack of potatoes.  I don’t remember going all the way out but I was so overwhelmed I remember getting really lightheaded.  I really couldn’t believe it.  However that night I felt guilty about them buying it and told my mom she should take it back, but of course she didn’t.  I think I probably took better care of that bike than anything else back then because of how things unfolded.  I’ll never forget it.

Edited December 24, 2018 by comicquant

[topofthetotem]

The thing I wanted the most was a AT-AT.  Pictured below.

I unfortunately never got one as my parents couldn’t afford it. 

 

 

[comicquant]

7 hours ago, Philreal said:

Didn't ask for it, but it did keep me up at night thinking about it! 

 

[Karl Liebl]

1 hour ago, comicquant said:

 

I was going to say it but didn't lol.  I know I didn't get all of these toys but I had friends that had and got a chance to play with just about all of them.  Life was and IS good.  Merry Christmas!

[gnussbaum]

[1950's war comics]

this will be me someday when i finally buy that mini-bike that i never got as a kid  

[1950's war comics]

recalled toy figure that i never knew about

 

Click here for LARGER picture

Tramp Figure An action figure from the 1990 film " Tracy", Steve the Tramp was recalled when Reverend Donald Wildmon complained the figure was insensitive towards the homeless. The package stated he was an "ignorant bum....you'll smell him before you see him" and he was "stinking up the city sewers".

[celluloidbuff]

We never really asked our parents for anything. They were just privy to our brotherly talks during play sessions, knew what shows we watched, gauged reactions to certain commercials and based everything on that. We were always happy with everything we got (a lot of the same things you have already listed here that are fondly remembered from childhood), but we knew mom did 99% of the shopping and decision making. Her gifts were always the most fun, but we treasured our "dad gift" every year more than anything because we knew he hand-picked it. He worked two jobs almost our entire life (mom stayed at home - he was very traditional that way), so his time meant more to us than anything, and by extension that time he spent to pick out individual gifts for the three of us brothers was prized. 

[mrc]

I can only think of one Christmas where I really wanted a toy.......and actually got it. Apparently, this toy sold out everywhere but through some friends my parents managed to track one down in time for Christmas Day!

 

[BitterOldMan]

I loved my King Zor from 1962.  My late father really went out the way to purchase the toy for me.  When you shot the tail with the dart gun, King Zor would spin around and shoot a little yellow ball at you.

I stored the toy at my parents' house.  My mother tossed all my childhood toys.  The King Zor was still in the original box.

My mother also tossed my Marx Electro Shot Shooting Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Robot Man]

16 minutes ago, BitterOldMan said:

I loved my King Zor from 1962.  My late father really went out the way to purchase the toy for me.  When you shot the tail with the dart gun, King Zor would spin around and shoot a little yellow ball at you.

I stored the toy at my parents' house.  My mother tossed all my childhood toys.  The King Zor was still in the original box.

My mother also tossed my Marx Electro Shot Shooting Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Killer toy Ray. I remember that well. My brother got that when I got Big Loo. We had some epic battles with those toys.

Edited December 24, 2018 by Robot Man

[Robot Man]

14 hours ago, oakman29 said:

I always wanted a Great Garloo ,  still want one.

On anotheer note my dad bought me a Honda 50cc mini bike when I was like 5, and I would scrape the carp out of my legs going up and down the street crashing constantly.  With a proud look on my dad's face. 

Now a days it would be child abuse, but back then it was good parenting, go figure.

I never had Garloo as a little kid, but I have one now as a big kid!

[jsilverjanet]

8 hours ago, topofthetotem said:

The thing I wanted the most was a AT-AT.  Pictured below.

I unfortunately never got one as my parents couldn’t afford it. 

 

 

Me too. Got a Tuan Tuan instead 

[Robot Man]

Another toy I lusted after was this. Usually most of our presents came from the S&H Green stamp catalog. My dad was a police photographer and my mom was a savy stay at home mom. With 4 kids about a year and a half apart money was often tight. We didn't get a lot at Christmas but we got one "big" thing" heck most of these toys were well under $25. at the time but my mom always tried to stretch it. I suspect, they saved up for it. This one wasn't in the catalog so I'm sure my mom wasn't happy but she knew how much I wanted it. It's long gone now but I do still have a few business cards from it.

A related story. When I was about 16 my dad asked me what I wanted and I said records. He asked me to make a list. On Christmas morning I opened my present and there were 4 albums. I was stoked. Then, he asked me: "Son, who is Grateful to be Dead?". He was a cop and didn't get it but God bless him. Merry Christmas Mom and Dad!

[Robot Man]

Glad I started this thread. It has been real fun. Really brings back memories of when times were simple and full of wonder. Keep 'em coming.

Something I have noticed here is the vast age difference of the folks on these boards. A lot of this stuff is stuff I got for my own kids. Now, I'm buying stuff for my grandkids. Their wants are completely different. I did get them both a superball and a slinky for their stockings just to keep it "old style"

Mrs. Claus is bugging me to do my chores because the gang is on their way from 3 states for the festivities. I just want to wish you all the happiest of the holidays and hope that Santa brings you that special something you been awake thinking about!

Here is the "wonder of the holidays" and why the hassle is all worth it...

 

[rsouxlja7]

One of my favorites

[comicquant]

1 hour ago, Robot Man said:

Another toy I lusted after was this. Usually most of our presents came from the S&H Green stamp catalog. My dad was a police photographer and my mom was a savy stay at home mom. With 4 kids about a year and a half apart money was often tight. We didn't get a lot at Christmas but we got one "big" thing" heck most of these toys were well under $25. at the time but my mom always tried to stretch it. I suspect, they saved up for it. This one wasn't in the catalog so I'm sure my mom wasn't happy but she knew how much I wanted it. It's long gone now but I do still have a few business cards from it.

A related story. When I was about 16 my dad asked me what I wanted and I said records. He asked me to make a list. On Christmas morning I opened my present and there were 4 albums. I was stoked. Then, he asked me: "Son, who is Grateful to be Dead?". He was a cop and didn't get it but God bless him. Merry Christmas Mom and Dad!

Based on all the toys you've referred to I think you'd be a perfect fit for the Men in Black?!?!?

[kav]

2 hours ago, Robot Man said:

I never had Garloo as a little kid, but I have one now as a big kid!

What does Garloo do-wax on wax off?  Cant figger out why he has car wax pads on hands.

[Junkdrawer]

Always wanted the Planet of the Apes Tree House. Never got it.