The Gift-Giving Trend That Everyone from Boomers to Generation Alpha Can Get Behind

Nakeisha Campbell
·2 min read

Department stores are already breaking out the Christmas wreaths and Santa figurines, which means the holiday season is practically upon us. It'll only be a matter of time before shopping malls are filled to the brim with eager shoppers looking to get through their Christmas shopping lists. And something tells us that parents will get nostalgic as they browse for new toys for the kids.

As it turns out, nostalgic gifts are on the rise—thanks to parents giving their children toys that were all the rage when they were kids. For instance, if you shop online, you may have already noticed that among the top selling toys are old favorites like Care Bears, He-Man figures and the iconic Polly Pockets play sets.

Polly Pockets

Right now, Polly Pockets are making a major comeback, with the Unicorn Party Playset ($12 on Amazon) ranking at number two on Amazon's list of best-selling doll play sets. And this is just one of multiple top-selling products from the brand, including the Koala Adventures Wearable Purse Compact ($13), the Gumball Bear Playset ($34) and the Unicorn Forest Compact Tea Party Set ($15).

Another big hit that's transcending generations? The classic slinky—better known as the retro toy that defined our childhood. As of now, this old favorite is actually the best-selling toy on Amazon in Spring & Wind-up Toys.

Slinky

One satisfied customer wrote, "Love this! It brought back so many memories! I originally bought them for my 4-year-old, but everyone else (even dad!) kept playing with them, so guess what's going in everyone's stocking this Christmas?!?!"

Another said, "It brings back childhood memories from the past, and makes new childhood memories for the current generation of kids. All in such a simple, non-electronic toy."

Add to this the laundry-list of popular Pokémon-themed toys and games, which already account for more than half the items on Amazon's top 10 list of best-selling games.

Pokémon

Right now, the Pokemon TCG: Shining Fates Elite Trainer Box (now available for $50) not only boasts a nearly perfect rating, but it's also currently the #1 best-seller in collectible card game booster packs. The gift includes 10 Pokémon TCG: Shining Fates booster packs, 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards, 65 card sleeves and a rule book. (And that's just one of eight Pokemon-themed games in the top 10.)

So, if you're still not sure what to get for the kids this year, consider swapping the high-tech gadgets for an old-school toy that the everyone in the family—from your mom to your 3-year-old nephew—will enjoy.

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