As I approach geezerhood, this seems like a proper time of the year to look back many calendar pages ago to reminisce about some of the toys “Santa Claus” brought when I was a kid growing up in North Carolina. Most came from the venerable Sears Wish Book, a much-revered publication that sadly ceased to exist in 2011 after being downsized to a shell of its former self. 

Many hours were spent dreaming of the toys in the Wish Book. Upon its arrival in the mailbox in the early fall each year, a frenetic endeavor ensued, to pinpoint which toys to ask for. It was a difficult yet enjoyable task. 

One of my favorite Christmas toys was the Johnny 7 OMA (One Man Army). This was a toy made to go to imaginary wars. Made by now-defunct manufacturer Topper Toys, the Johnny 7 featured seven weapons, including a tommy gun, grenade launcher, anti-tank missile, a rifle and an automatic pistol, all made of plastic. How I wish I still had mine. They are now collector’s items.  

Another early favorite toy of mine was produced by Marx, another toy maker of the past. This was the Big Loo Moon Robot. This well-equipped robot was about as tall as I was at the time, 37 inches.  Like the Johnny 7, Big Loo was constructed of hard plastic and boasted multiple weapons systems. There is an old TV ad for it on YouTube if you care to look. This is another toy I should have saved. When it was introduced, it retailed for $9.99. I saw one on Ebay recently for $2,400. 

A few years later, my main Santa Claus present was a Fort Apache playset, also produced by Marx. Housed in a handy metallic carrying case that quickly transformed into a frontier fort when opened, the playset included a small number of cavalry and Indians. It, too, is now a collector’s item. There are several available on Etsy now, ranging in price from $80 to $300. 

As I moved into my second decade, the picks from the Wish Book turned a little more cerebral. One year, all I asked for was a set of 10 Hardy Boys mystery books. They were enjoyable, and I added additional volumes. Alas, I no longer have them. They were likely donated to a charity.  

There were a few toys I missed out on. Chief among them was the original Rock’em Sock’em Robots, also a product of the beloved Marx company. It was revived several years ago in a much smaller version. I still would like one, but probably not enough to cough up $200 or more for the original on Ebay. 

The Wish Book was the most anticipated piece of mail each year at my house. By the time my brother and I completed our perusing of it, it was dog-eared.  Kids today don’t know what they are missing.