No matter how lavish the presents waiting for you under the tree this year, it’s hard to beat the excitement of the Christmas toys you received as a child – or as a teenager unwrapping the gadgets and beauty products that first made you feel grown up.
Now, anyone feeling a pang of nostalgia can check out the most popular presents from decades past and see if they really were as good as you remember.
Research compiled from the Toy Retailers Association, Retromash, and The People History has revealed the most popular Christmas gifts in each decade from the 1970s to the present day.
While some toys and games such as Monopoly and Sylvanian families have endured, other fashionable Christmas presents from decades past have since become obsolete, such as the portable music players that were all the rage in the ’70s and ’80s.
Meanwhile, some products have had time to fall out of favour and come back again such as vinyl and sewing machines.
Skip to the ’90s and Dr Martens boots, or groundbreaking tech gadgets like iPods from Apple or cordless phones from brands like Nokia were all the rage.
Read on below to see what was hitting department store shelves over the past 50 years from 1975 to today…
1980: Those wanting to make, mend, or alter clothes would have wanted to get their hands on a Singer sewing machine
1950s and 1960s
What did Baby Boomers – born in the post Second World War era of 1946 and 1964 – lust after for Christmas?
Gift expectations were significantly more modest than those of children today – with walnuts and satsumas, stuffed in stockings laid out on beds on Christmas Eve, often a staple gift for working class households.
When it comes to toys, the Sixties saw the arrival of the Sindy, Britain’s answer to Barbie. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed 12 inch teenage doll was launched in September 1963, just in time for the festive shopping season.
Sindy was the first figure to have her own advert – which was aired across TV screens 25 times on Christmas Day.
Chocolate, relatively inexpensive, remained a crowd-pleaser during yuletide, with selection boxes from brands such as Cadbury and Rowntree’s particularly popular.
What might youngsters find in a large Rowntree’s selection box in 1960? Sweet treats included a Kit Kat, Aero, Milk Motoring, Coffee Crisp, Tokens, Fruit Gums, Liquorice Gums, Fruit Pastilles and Smarties.
Selection boxes – featuring favourites such as Cadbury’s Dairy Milk – were a hit in the 1960s
1970: Sindy Cost then: £3.99. Cost now: £55.25. Sindy was created in Britain by Pedigree Dolls & Toys in 1963 as a more wholesome rival to Barbie, and she became the best-selling toy in the United Kingdom in 1968 and 1970
The ultimate 1950s stocking filler? Walnuts and satsumas would fatten up socks left at the end of beds
1970s
From the beloved Monopoly board game to The Guinness World Records, the 1970s were full of fun and creative non-digital entertainment tools.
Of course, the latter book of facts and achievements is still going strong, but it was immensely popular in 1975, selling millions of copies and becoming the top-selling copyrighted book ever at that time.
It was also a simpler era, when portable cassette players were the closest thing people had to iPods and Spotify.
And those who grew up then might remember longing for their favourite album to blast through the house on their vinyl player.
Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water was the UK’s top selling album of the entire decade.
1975: The Guinness World Records found immense success in 1975, and became the top-selling copyrighted book ever at that time
1975: The game Monopoly sees players roll two six-sided dice to move around the board, buying and trading properties and developing them into houses and hotels. Players collect rent from other players when they land on their houses, driving them into bankruptcy
Vinyl players were in their golden age in the 1970s and Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water was the UK’s top selling album of the entire decade
Philips Cassette Recorders boomed in popularity in 1975, particularly for those wanting to capture music from the radio
1970: The board game is a strategy game for children and adults, which became one of the most popular games in history
Dating back to the early 1960s, the Easy Bake Oven was popular in 1972. It was a working toy that children could use to make easy cakes – although some did end up with burns
1977: Portable 8 track player: Cost then: £21.22. Cost now: £125.86. A portable music player similar to a boombox
1973: Walkie Talkie sets Price then: £4.98. Price now: £54.67. Walkie talkie sets allow people staying at a short distance from each other to communicate
1975: Forget the Dyson Airwrap – in the 70s, it was all about the hooded hairdryers (complete with a portable carrier). Ronson was a big brand for such tools in the 70s, kits often came with rollers which you put your hair into, before popping on the shower cap. Users could then plug in the machine, and blow hot air safely into the confines of the bonnet; perfect for a lady on the go
1976: It seems that our penchant for novelty cigarette equipment goes back decades – including an ashtray that looks like melting ice
1979: Back in the days of cassettes there was demand for cases – to carry your tunes around – as well
1980s
A decade later, tastes had altered to include the new, must-have products from household gadgets to toys and electrical goods.
Among the items was a SodaStream, which allowed buyers to create their own fizzy drinks in a plethora of flavours – and they were so popular that 40 per cent of British homes had one at the time, according to The Guardian.
Similarly, sewing machines were a welcome gift during the period for mending, making, or altering clothes, with brands like Singer and Kenmore being some of the most popular.
And while laptops were not yet a common possession, electric typewriters were a solid choice for students in the early ’80s.
Towards the end of the 1980s, Sylvanian Families, a series of collectable furry figures, grew in popularity, priced at £6.97 back then, which would be £20.35 now.
1980: A staggering 40 per cent of British households had a SodaStream fizzy drink maker back in the 1980s
We got ’em! Parents would often join long queues to try and pick up the must-have toy of the year before they sold out (Pictured: Americans who flew from the US to buy Cabbage Patch Dolls at Hamleys in 1983)
1980: The original Walkman portable cassette player even had two ports to allow two people to listen at once. The product was released in 1979 – and was a popular present well into the 80s
1986: In more than four decades, it appears it has become no easier to shop for men, with the Argos catalogue suggesting aftershave, wallets and brollies for blokes
1980: Elizabeth Duke’s range, available from Argos, boasted everything from necklaces to rings, bracelets and earrings. In 2020, Argos announced it would be discontinuing the brand – in an attempt to streamline its offerings
1980: The IBM electronic typewriter was a popular choice for students and keen writers in the 1980s
1985: Sylvanian Families are a series of collectible furry figures created by the Japanese gaming company Epoch. Then: £6.97. Now: £20.35
1980: While the youth of today yearns for vapes, novelty lighters were popular with smokers in the 80s. While we may associate Braun with razors and men’s shavers, the German company used to also make lighters – but discontinued them in 1984
1985: Released in 1985, Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale became an instant success
1985: The Wuzzles were a popular plush toys based on Disney’s hit television animated series. Price then: £11.06. Now: £34.58
1989: Polly Pocket toys were a line of tiny collectable dolls. Price then: £5.50. Now: £14.69
1982: The Glo Worm was a plush toy created by Hasbro that contained a battery-powered device which would light up the toy’s head from within when squeezed. Price then: £4.99. Price now: £17.96
1981: Users could create LED images freehand or using templates. Price then: £14.99. Price now: £58.34
1982: BMX bikes are specially designed for off-road adventurers. Price then: £45. Price now: £161.98
1990s
As technology usage began to increase, the 1990s welcomed innovative toys and gadgets, such as the Nintendo Game Boy and CD players.
However, classic figurines were still favoured among children, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, following the release of the first movie in 1990.
For adults, CD players were on the rise as society shifted away from cassettes as a listening method throughout the 1990s.
By the same time, wok pans, traditional Asian cookware, had become a trendy feature in British households, with stir-frying becoming a popular new cooking method for home cooks in the UK.
Later in the decade, Dr Martens became a highly sought-after item, with people of all ages wanting to get their feet in a pair of its famous leather boots.
1990: Music lovers started to shift away from cassettes and towards CD players throughout the 1990s
1998: It was a golden era for children’s television – and the toys were just as good, with everything from Sesame Street stuffed animals to The Wombles (which enjoyed a 90s revival) on offer
1990: Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles Action Figures. The action figure toys were based on the franchise of the same name. The film was very popular amongst children at that time. Cost then: £3.99. Cost now: £9.96
1990: Stir frying became a popular cooking method in the UK in the 1990s, leading a rise in purchases of wok pans
1990: Sega Game Gear. The game console was originally released in Japan as a competitor to Nintendo’s Game Boy and featured a full-colour, backlit screen with a landscape format. Cost then: £189.99. Cost now: £227.43
1995: Buzz Lightyear. The Toy Story figures were released following the success of the computer-animated hit comedy film, which first hit screens in 1995. Cost then: £23.99. Cost now: £48.61
1995: Dr Martens became a staple in many wardrobes during this time – and a popular demand on Christmas wish lists
1995: Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Mal, which came in a torso-shaped bottle, was a popular fragrance for men in the late 90s
1995: The original Sony PlayStation launched in the UK in September 1995 – in time for Christmas
1995 Beanie Baby. Beanie Babies started out in 1986 as collectable soft toys. Cost then: £3.99. Cost now: £8.28
1994 Dear Diary. Dear Diary was a bright pink mini electronic diary for young children to use on a daily basis. Cost then: £23.99. Cost now: £51.10
1992 WWF Action Figures. Produced by the toy company Hasbro between 1990 and 1994, these action figures were toy versions of the World Wrestling Federation performers. Cost then: £4.99. Cost now: £11.12
1990 Polly Pocket. Polly Pocket toys were miniature dolls complete with accessories, which have now become valuable collectables. Cost then: £4.95. Cost now: £12.36
2000s
Technological advancements soared in the 2000s, which, in turn, introduced a new wave of never-before-seen digital gifts.
In 2001, Apple launched its first-ever iPod, delivering a totally new way for shoppers to listen to their favourite tunes while on the go.
The iPod, which went on sale just before Christmas in November, completely disrupted the music market and could hold 1000 songs.
Other trending products included the Nokia 1100, launched in 2003, which was branded as being affordable and durable.
Elsewhere, Bratz Dolls, known for their distinctive features and trendy clothes, which were priced at £24.99 and would now cost £47.95, were also rivalling the likes of Barbie as the hottest Christmas gift.
2000s: Apple unveiled the portable music player, the iPod MP3 music player, just before Christmas in 2001
2000: Lancome’s Juicy Tubes were all the rage in the 2000s – and came in a variety of bright colours
2000: These glam dolls had big heads with exaggerated features and were dressed to the nines. Price then £24.99. Now: £46.77
2000s: Launched in 2003, Nokia’s 1100 became one of the most popular mobile phones of its time
2005: The Lumix digital camera, released in the early 2000s, was a popular present choice for those wanting to capture memories
2005: Tamagotchi enjoyed fame in the 1990s – but a later model, Tamagotchi Connexion, was a hit in the 2000s
2005: You either love them or you hate them – but Juicy Couture’s velour tracksuits were desired by many
2005: The original Nintendo DS was released in late 2004, making it a popular present for countless around the globe the following year
2004: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas remains a cult classic game to this day. Price then £29.99. Now: £54.64
2010s
With technology constantly improving, many brands introduced new gadgets and advanced models in the 2010s.
While Apple first launched its iPad in 2010, e-book readers, specifically Amazon’s Kindle, became popular.
The device, which allowed book lovers to carry countless books on the go, was first released in 2007. But after selling out instantly, Amazon released a more affordable model in 2010.
Meanwhile, the Xbox Kinect sensor reached gamers in November 2010 and sold 2.5 million in less than a month, according to the BBC.
2010: Apple’s iPad was an unsurprisingly popular Christmas present choice after its 2010 release
2010: Xbox sold millions of its Kinect Sensor, released in November 2010, in time for Christmas that year
2010: The Nerf blasters toys series started in 2003. The 2010 entry could be customised with different accessories. Price then: £54.99. Now: £85.76
2010: Amazon launched a cheaper, wireless-only Kindle in 2010, which could also connect to a 3G network
2015: In 2015, GHD launched its coveted Platinum Styler – which came in various shades, including pink
2015: It was launched in 1995, but Lynx Africa became a popular present choice (whether the receiver requested it or not) in 2015 and beyond
2015: A dream for many, the first hoverboard to be commercially released was popular with celebrities such as Justin Bieber. Price then: £229.42. Now: £324.74
2015: Those with an interest in makeup will remember how badly they longed for Urban Decay’s Naked 3 eyeshadow palette
2020s
The 2020s saw Barbie undergo a resurgence, with the Barbie 3-in-1 DreamCamper and the Barbie Dreamtopia Rainbow Magic Mermaid being well-liked presents.
In the same year, Nespresso’s Vertuo coffee machine proved to be a popular choice for caffeine lovers wanting to get their fix at home.
Come 2025, the hype is all about matcha – with many longing for kits to make the Japanese beverage at home.
Elsewhere, Calvin Klein boxers continue to be a favourite, while the Stanley Cup has also become popular once again.
2020: Nespresso’s Vertuo machine became a popular Christmas present for coffee lovers across the UK
2020: Following the release of The Mandalorian season two in October 2020, Baby Yoda toys boomed in popularity
2020: In October 2020, the iPhone 12 reached stores – with many wanting to unwrap the device on December 25
2020: Tapping into the trend before the memorable movie release, kids were obsessed with Barbie Dreamtopia Rainbow Magic Mermaid. Price then: £27.99. Now: £34.99
2025: They’ve been around for quite some time – but many teenagers are still after a pair of Calvin Klein boxers under the tree
2025: Matcha is all the rage these days – meaning lovers are keen to get a DIY kit to make the beverage at home
2025: Jellycats are as popular as ever in 2025, with royalty even known to be a fan of the cuddly toys
2025: Stanley Cups are a must-have for thousands around the UK, with many wanting to be seen sipping their beverage from the stainless steel cup
