Consider the Classics

You are out at the mall, doing a little holiday shopping and you are completely overwhelmed by : a.) the complexity of the electronic doodads and b.) prices. What’s a shopper to do? I want you to hear me out as I try to explain the remedy in three little words : Consider the classics.
No matter what mode of gift you’re shopping for, if you go back in time, at least in your mind, you will find something quite suitable and, even at today’s prices, something affordable. Not to mention, the uniqueness of the gift. How many of today’s kids know what Lincoln Logs were? The commemorative edition, available on line, is just $41.00. Now, when our folks bought them for us, they probably cost about $6.00,, but, given inflation, that was about the equivalent of $41, so the price is almost a moot point. And, the kids can build all sorts of fine little structures. They use their imaginations and learn by doing. You may want to consider the Jumbo Tinker Toys Building Set with 102 pieces for just $35.99. Once again, a great exercise for the mind as opposed to a workout for your thumbs, like most of today’s video games. Who needs thumbs the size of Popeye’s forearms.
Let me throw a few more suggestions at you. Names that should invoke some pretty good images of your childhood. And if you loved them, don’t you think your kids will too? How about Rock’em Sock’em Robots ? This precursor to the video game goes for around $21 and will provide hours of fun for little sluggo to practice his uppercut, via a plastic robot, as he tries to knock the other robot’s block off.
The list goes on and on and on : Slinky, Slinky Dog, Electronic Football, Hula Hoops, Stilts, a Pogo Stick or a Radio Flyer wagon. The only difference, today, is that the wagon has plastic wheels as opposed to the rust prone metal ones. New and improved, with virtually no other changes.
Today’s kids have gotten spoiled and lazy. They expect everything to be delivered to them on a screen with no room to expand their minds and no consideration of price. Have you seen what all the electronics cost?
Maybe your kids like movies. Once again, consider the classics, all of which can be found on e-bay or elsewhere on line. There was nothing wrong with the likes of “The Wizard of Oz,” “Cinderella,” “Peter Pan,” or “Riki Tiki Tava.” Your kids may even fare better if you give them the books and save the movies for another time.
Not only was there nothing wrong with these items when they were new, but, today, as classics, they serve to remind us of a simpler time when our minds, bodies, and even spirits would benefit much more than the overpriced, mindless pap that’s permeating the market place today.
My Dad had the right idea. He even got more classic for my gifts. No matter what I asked for I got, but, not literally. He truly encouraged me to be imaginative. If I asked for a truck, he would hand me a stick and say, “Here, here’s your truck. Go play…..and have fun.” I always did.

THAT’S HOW I FEEL…………………………..WHAT CAN I TELL YA’