Popular toys for Christmas gifts for boys and girls have changed from the Roaring ‘20s over the past century due to the ever-changing development of technology.
World War I ended on Nov. 11, 1918, with the Spanish flu still taking its toll on the world’s population. An estimated one-third of the world’s population became infected with the (HINI virus) known as influenza (flu). An estimated 675,000 Americans perished from the flu out of the estimated 50 million who died worldwide.
Thus, the 1920s became known as the Roaring ‘20s due to the end of World War I, the war to end all wars, and the end of the pandemic in 1919.
Now, just over a century later, COVID-19 appears to be subsiding after America’s disastrous military withdrawal from Afghanistan to end the longest war in U.S. history.
Boys during the Roaring ‘20s were most likely to find the following under their Christmas trees: BB-guns, red wagons, tricycles, yo-yos, electric trains, Tinker Toys, sleds and pedal cars they could ride in by peddling.
Girls shared the same enjoyment as boys by receiving sleds too. However, most preferred baby dolls, doll buggies and doll stoves to BB-guns, and they often found Crayola crayons, Lincoln Logs and Teddy Bears in their wrapped gifts.
In 2021, not many pedal cars are likely to be found under the Christmas trees across the land where electronic devices will most likely dominate the space under Christmas trees.
America’s children will find many of the following under their Christmas trees this year: Squeakee the Balloon Dog, an interactive robotic dog that does tricks, Polly Pocket Un-Box-It Playset, V-Tech KidiZoom Print Cam and Digital Camera Printer and other high tech toys.
At least Crayola has adapted to the change in children’s taste for toys by keeping pace with the times by offering its Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad, and as long as there is snow, sleds are certain to remain as popular gifts.
The change in toy preference may lead one to wonder just how many Raggedy Ann dolls will turn up under Christmas trees on Christmas morning.
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