Visions of Christmas past

That was a fascinating look back to the year I was 14.

In a similar vein, here's an infographic showing sell-out christmas toys since 1983. You'll have to scroll down past Jeffery Tucker's essay.

Anybody remember Cabbage Patch Kids? Teddy Ruxpin? Furby?

If they're in decent condition (probably not likely, given they've spent an extended period of time in a barn loft), they might be worth something.

Here's something sad. When I was 7 or 8, I got some Barbies, along with clothes and accessories, handed down from an older relative. They were in excellent condition at the time, but they were, to my eyes, less "pretty" than my new Barbies. I mean, their knees didn't even bend, and they had weird hair! I "fixed them up" the way little girls do fix up their dolls (e.g., with scissors and magic markers) and they got to be the "ugly bad" people when I felt inclined to play with them.

Only, heh. They were the ORIGINAL Barbie, Midge, and Ken, with their original clothes and accessories. (including evening gowns and a tux for Ken -- they do not make doll clothes of that quality these days.) They weren't in their original boxes, but still, they were in great shape and collectors items even at the time, let alone now. Only that wasn't the kind of thing my parents would have known. They're still around in my parents' basement somewhere, but I don't think anyone would pay me a premium for them now. I was pretty rough on them.