What Was Under The Tree?

Author:  Jeff Little

It's pretty easy to guess what's going to be gift wrapped in Christmas paper and labeled for the kids in the family these days: Harry Potter stuff, Star Wars stuff, computer stuff and lots of electronic stuff. But in the 50's, what was under the tree?

The 50's had its ups and downs, and indicative of that was the yo-yo. The centuries-old toy was popular throughout the 50's and still has millions of fans today. Besides, it doesn't need batteries, assembly instructions or a parental warning (even though this toy could be dangerous in the hands of tots lacking the proper hand/eye coordination).

Also in the "could be hazardous to your health" category were roller skates. Popular with almost all children, the designs of the 50's even included styles that were basically frames with wheels that could be attached to most ordinary shoes. Later in the decade (as if wheels on shoes were not a big enough risk to life and limb), a spin-off (pun intended) toy called the skateboard was introduced and soon became all the rage.

Less complicated than most of today's toys, juvenile diversions of the 50's were often brilliant in their simplicity. One of the prime examples of this was Lincoln Logs.

Invented in 1916 by John Lloyd Wright (son of legendary architect Frank), the interlocking wooden building blocks still maintained their appeal throughout the 50's and beyond. More creative junior builders could even use Lincoln Logs to construct splints and walkers for less-coordinated siblings who had received skates and skateboards for Christmas.

Not as dangerous (but far more fashionable) was a trendy bit of headwear often worn by young boys in the 50's. Inspired by television's Davy Crockett, the coonskin cap was on children's Christmas lists for years. The only drawback to this particular trend in fashion was the possibility of being mistaken for an incredibly short Fess Parker.

Other boys who wanted to take cowboy role playing to a higher level of realism would of course ask Santa for the ever-popular BB gun. More commonly referred to as the "you'll put your eye out toy", this now politically incorrect item eventually came to be considered one of the most dangerous and one of the most fun Christmas gifts ever marketed.

Unlike today, most little girls had little or no interest in "boys' toys". They would have been more likely to wish for gifts involving doll houses, doll clothes or maybe just a doll. But not just any doll. It had to be Betsy Wetsy, Tiny Tears or maybe even a glamorous doll named Barbie (introduced in 1959). Each little girl hoped that special doll would be waiting for them on December 25th.

The 50's were a simpler time and so were the toys you would usually find under the tree in those pre-computer chip days. Modern toys are much more complex…but maybe today's children are too.

But whether it's a kid from the 1950's or one from the 21st century doesn't matter. What does matter is that we all do our best to see that they all have a Merry Christmas.