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The idea of a big-shopping, big-merchandised ho-ho-hoing secular Christmas was well established in the USA by the end of the 1930s, for those who could afford it, but for those who had to watch their pennies it was still possible for Santy Claus to make a big impression on the big day -- with our friends at Consumers Union assembling an interesting list of toy shopping ideas guaranteed to keep the kiddies stimulated without wasting a lot of mom and pop's money on frivolity. Presented under a festive bright red masthead -- as contrasted with the usual no-nonsense grey and black -- the December 1939 issue of CU Reports offers gift ideas direct from the Era.
Entitled "Toys And The Child," the article offers, first, one very important piece of advice: DON'T CHOOSE a toy with your own likes tather than the child's in mind -- a line accompanied by an interesting Gardner Rea cartoon of a Monopoly-man looking fellow with an erect moustache gazing at a fetching little statuette of a naked bubble dancer, with bubble strategically placed. Nuf 'Sed.
That point being taken, CU notes that due largely to pressure from educators and parents fed up with flimsy playthings, the overall quality of many toys is much higher than it was just a few years ago. But parents are still urged to carefully inspect every item purchased for their children, with an eye both to safety and durability.
A top recommendation for any child is a musical instrument -- but not a cheap, flimsy novelty. Cymbals, rhythm sticks, triangles, tambourines, drums, and even a good wooden xylophone are reccomended for kids aged two and up -- but with the warning "if it offends your ears, don't buy it for a child." A good phonograph and a wise selection of records can also cultivate an interest in good music and stimulate the physical expression of rhythm for children at any age.
Books are an appropriate gift for any child from two up, with the parent advised to seek guidance from the local librarian for the most appropriate titles for each age group.
CU recommends that children under the age of seven should not be given electric train sets -- and the child of seven should get the simplest possible arrangement of tracks and cars, with no complicated switches or other accessories which will frustrate the child. Building and construction sets are best for children eight and up, and children under ten should not be given chemistry sets. A first bicycle is a good choice for an eight year old, but the bike should be chosen on the basis not of style but of sturdiness, ease of operation, and closeness to the ground.
Dolls are appropriate for both boys and girls beginning around the age of two, along with "kiddie cars," nursery blocks, interlocking blocks, balls, washable paints and crayons, and various types of push and pull toys.
A child of three is ready for a tricyle, a wheelbarrow, or a wagon. First tool sets may be given at this age, such as simple hammer and nail sets using real nails with a "composition hammer" for driving them into a composition board. A good sized nail head should be used, to save the child's fingers and discourage swallowing. Knock-out pegboards are also useful for developing hand-eye skills.
Four and five year olds are ready for regular tool sets, including a good small saw about ten inches long, a good hammer with a tight head that cannot fall off, and a sturdy tool chest in which to keep them. Roller skates are also recommended at this age -- but only good ball-bearing types. Costumes and various dress-up materials for pretend games are very welcome. Puzzles of various types appropriate to age are good mind-builders at this age.
The six year old is ready for a simple wooden construction set such as Lincoln Logs or Tinker Toys, along with basic board games such as checkers, parcheesi, dominoes, anagrams, or lotto. A good foot or hand operated jigsaw may be safely operated by a child at this age, and tents, play-stores, and weaving looms also have an interest. Simple target games using rubber-tipped arrows or darts are also safe for six year olds.
From the age of six up, each child's specific skills and interest should have come into focus, and hobbies such as stamps, coins, rocks, and such may be cultivated along with sports interests such as archery, ice-skating, skiing and so forth. From the age of eight up, children are ready to be called on for suggestions as to what sort of gift they'd like. During the ages from six to ten the parent should focus especially on gifts which will contribute to the development of the child's social skills.
At the age of ten, children are ready for cameras, microscopes, chemistry and metal-craft sets, adult-type tools, model-building sets, field glasses, elaborate sports or art equipment, and adult-level musical instruments. Avoid lead-casting outfits due to the poisoning risk.
Pets, of course, are always welcomed by a child -- but practicality should be the rule. "A rabbit in a four room city apartment can be disastrous to family morale."
There is no mention whatever, either pro or con, of BB guns.
The most important recommendation in the article is that toys given to children should relate in some practical way to the world around them. "Essentially a child, through play, lives the life going on about him, varied by his imagination and fantasy." Good advice even for today.
Entitled "Toys And The Child," the article offers, first, one very important piece of advice: DON'T CHOOSE a toy with your own likes tather than the child's in mind -- a line accompanied by an interesting Gardner Rea cartoon of a Monopoly-man looking fellow with an erect moustache gazing at a fetching little statuette of a naked bubble dancer, with bubble strategically placed. Nuf 'Sed.
That point being taken, CU notes that due largely to pressure from educators and parents fed up with flimsy playthings, the overall quality of many toys is much higher than it was just a few years ago. But parents are still urged to carefully inspect every item purchased for their children, with an eye both to safety and durability.
A top recommendation for any child is a musical instrument -- but not a cheap, flimsy novelty. Cymbals, rhythm sticks, triangles, tambourines, drums, and even a good wooden xylophone are reccomended for kids aged two and up -- but with the warning "if it offends your ears, don't buy it for a child." A good phonograph and a wise selection of records can also cultivate an interest in good music and stimulate the physical expression of rhythm for children at any age.
Books are an appropriate gift for any child from two up, with the parent advised to seek guidance from the local librarian for the most appropriate titles for each age group.
CU recommends that children under the age of seven should not be given electric train sets -- and the child of seven should get the simplest possible arrangement of tracks and cars, with no complicated switches or other accessories which will frustrate the child. Building and construction sets are best for children eight and up, and children under ten should not be given chemistry sets. A first bicycle is a good choice for an eight year old, but the bike should be chosen on the basis not of style but of sturdiness, ease of operation, and closeness to the ground.
Dolls are appropriate for both boys and girls beginning around the age of two, along with "kiddie cars," nursery blocks, interlocking blocks, balls, washable paints and crayons, and various types of push and pull toys.
A child of three is ready for a tricyle, a wheelbarrow, or a wagon. First tool sets may be given at this age, such as simple hammer and nail sets using real nails with a "composition hammer" for driving them into a composition board. A good sized nail head should be used, to save the child's fingers and discourage swallowing. Knock-out pegboards are also useful for developing hand-eye skills.
Four and five year olds are ready for regular tool sets, including a good small saw about ten inches long, a good hammer with a tight head that cannot fall off, and a sturdy tool chest in which to keep them. Roller skates are also recommended at this age -- but only good ball-bearing types. Costumes and various dress-up materials for pretend games are very welcome. Puzzles of various types appropriate to age are good mind-builders at this age.
The six year old is ready for a simple wooden construction set such as Lincoln Logs or Tinker Toys, along with basic board games such as checkers, parcheesi, dominoes, anagrams, or lotto. A good foot or hand operated jigsaw may be safely operated by a child at this age, and tents, play-stores, and weaving looms also have an interest. Simple target games using rubber-tipped arrows or darts are also safe for six year olds.
From the age of six up, each child's specific skills and interest should have come into focus, and hobbies such as stamps, coins, rocks, and such may be cultivated along with sports interests such as archery, ice-skating, skiing and so forth. From the age of eight up, children are ready to be called on for suggestions as to what sort of gift they'd like. During the ages from six to ten the parent should focus especially on gifts which will contribute to the development of the child's social skills.
At the age of ten, children are ready for cameras, microscopes, chemistry and metal-craft sets, adult-type tools, model-building sets, field glasses, elaborate sports or art equipment, and adult-level musical instruments. Avoid lead-casting outfits due to the poisoning risk.
Pets, of course, are always welcomed by a child -- but practicality should be the rule. "A rabbit in a four room city apartment can be disastrous to family morale."
There is no mention whatever, either pro or con, of BB guns.
The most important recommendation in the article is that toys given to children should relate in some practical way to the world around them. "Essentially a child, through play, lives the life going on about him, varied by his imagination and fantasy." Good advice even for today.
