MIND OF MY OWN

The Woman's Own columnist has her say on toys, hot drinks and Simon Cowell

- DAWN NEESOM

TOYS OF THE TIMES

Pogo sticks, Space Hoppers and clacker balls - they don't make 'em like they used to!

Christmas is just for kids. I swear if just one more person says that to me in this wonderfully fuzzy month of warmth and joy, I'll punch them. OK, that's not particularly warm nor fuzzy, but Christmas is for ALL of us, because no matter how old we are, inside there is always the little kid we once were. And nothing proves this more than a list published recently of the most beloved toys across the years, compiled using research by the Toy Retailers Association. Just reading through it left me tearfully nostalgic for all those Christmases past with the best mum, dad, nan, grandad and baby sister you could ever have.

Back in my late 1960s/70s childhood, most of the toys were designed to kill you. Space Hoppers, skateboards, pogo sticks and clacker balls MADE OF GLASS! Seriously, parents, what were you thinking? Sindy, Tiny Tears and Pippa dolls were the must-haves, while the games were Twister, Monopoly and Risk.