That was a big thrill when I was a kid back in the 60s. Waiting for the Sears Wish Book the J C Penny and I think Monkey Wards had a Christmas catalog. Can’t remember.
For me it was the Lionel trains catalogs. And, of course, the catalogs of the big stores like Sears and JCPenney, which also sold Lionel trains back then, too.
Yes I agree… I remember beginning to like catalogs in the 50’s… and I didn’t just like the toy section. For some odd reason (full disclosure) I also looked at the women’s underwear…
One of my fondest memories is going through the Sears Christmas Wish Book and circling the stuff that I wanted for Christmas. I wouldn’t get 90% of it (my parents would have had to have been millionaires) but it mattered not. I always held out the hope…
On a somewhat related note, my father used to tell us that even though Santa brought the gifts he’d send Dad a bill. That is how he explained why the only child down the street was showered with gifts like bicycles, Atari 2600’s, Commodore 64’s, etc but myself and my three siblings had to make do with “only” $200 worth of gifts each (and back in the 70’s/80’s $200 would buy a LOT of gifts!)
I recall as a kid spending hours looking through the Sears, Penny’s, Montgomery Wards and Western Auto catalogs. I’d dog ear pages and write down everything about something I wanted for my birthday or Christmas. I normally didn’t get a lot of what I had requested but, my first bicycle, a Western Flyer and a BB gun came from Western Auto.
Finished “Storm Furies” yesterday (latest Tinker series book) – just came out 4 days ago and has over 400 pages in large hardcover print. It was everything and nothing like I imagined – “Waya!”
Sears Christmas Wish Catalogue…for kids growing up in rural Canada in the 60s and 70s, that was probably the most eagerly awaited bit of mail….and the most read, after my Hardy Boys’ books of course.
There is a dot com website called christmas.musetechnical that has scans of over 300 Christmas, Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer catalogs dating back to the 1940s.
allen@home about 1 month ago
That was a big thrill when I was a kid back in the 60s. Waiting for the Sears Wish Book the J C Penny and I think Monkey Wards had a Christmas catalog. Can’t remember.
C about 1 month ago
Don’t toy with his love of literature, Mom
Blu Bunny about 1 month ago
Next month or two the TV ad’s will start increasing on toys.
Crow Eatery about 1 month ago
At least a paper book does not contain a button he can press to buy stuff.
RickTengle about 1 month ago
what is this? 1989, must be a Sears catalog
mnexplorer+ about 1 month ago
They still have toy catalogs?
ꜝ about 1 month ago
hope he traded Zoe’s Barbee doll for it
jmworacle about 1 month ago
If the kid is interested in reading don’t discourage him. Just keep the credit/debit cards locked in a safety deposit box away from the home.
Tra1nman2 Premium Member about 1 month ago
For me it was the Lionel trains catalogs. And, of course, the catalogs of the big stores like Sears and JCPenney, which also sold Lionel trains back then, too.
sbenton7684 about 1 month ago
Yes I agree… I remember beginning to like catalogs in the 50’s… and I didn’t just like the toy section. For some odd reason (full disclosure) I also looked at the women’s underwear…
iggyman about 1 month ago
At least it encourages his reading!
up2trixx about 1 month ago
One of my fondest memories is going through the Sears Christmas Wish Book and circling the stuff that I wanted for Christmas. I wouldn’t get 90% of it (my parents would have had to have been millionaires) but it mattered not. I always held out the hope…
On a somewhat related note, my father used to tell us that even though Santa brought the gifts he’d send Dad a bill. That is how he explained why the only child down the street was showered with gifts like bicycles, Atari 2600’s, Commodore 64’s, etc but myself and my three siblings had to make do with “only” $200 worth of gifts each (and back in the 70’s/80’s $200 would buy a LOT of gifts!)
SquidGamerGal about 1 month ago
Are you kidding me?! Instead of doing your summer like you’re suppose to, YOU ARE ALREADY MAKING YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST?!
Huckleberry Hiroshima about 1 month ago
That’s right, given ‘em books they’ll enjoy.
boydjb47 about 1 month ago
Our 9 year old grandson loves to read toy catalogues, and everything else actually.
Just-me about 1 month ago
I recall as a kid spending hours looking through the Sears, Penny’s, Montgomery Wards and Western Auto catalogs. I’d dog ear pages and write down everything about something I wanted for my birthday or Christmas. I normally didn’t get a lot of what I had requested but, my first bicycle, a Western Flyer and a BB gun came from Western Auto.
ctolson about 1 month ago
Well at least he’s reading something. Maybe, and it’s a slim maybe, he’ll read something else. Even a comic book would be a start.
Norris66 about 1 month ago
It counts a book of the 5 for Summer Reading. ;>)
ajakimber425 about 1 month ago
It might not be the kind of reading you want, but still! It’s reading.
CrimsonOne18 about 1 month ago
Before my time, but, Sears used to sell houses from their catalogue! Not THAT was the good old days.
oish about 1 month ago
Finished “Storm Furies” yesterday (latest Tinker series book) – just came out 4 days ago and has over 400 pages in large hardcover print. It was everything and nothing like I imagined – “Waya!”
IndyW about 1 month ago
Hey, if it gets him to read, from a printed magazine or book, then let him have at it.
beharford about 1 month ago
Sears Christmas Wish Catalogue…for kids growing up in rural Canada in the 60s and 70s, that was probably the most eagerly awaited bit of mail….and the most read, after my Hardy Boys’ books of course.
Zen-of-Zinfandel about 1 month ago
He might like an old JC Penney Christmas catalog.
YorkGirl Premium Member about 1 month ago
Yep, Sears Wish Book was anticipated as much as Christmas.
bookworm0812 about 1 month ago
Getting a jump start on his Christmas list!
Strawberry King about 1 month ago
Mama, can I have this? And this? Ooh, and I gotta have this!!
Daltongang Premium Member about 1 month ago
Wanda, reading is reading, don’t knock it. You can work on the quality of the material later on.
Anon4242 about 1 month ago
Not much of a plot but it’ll capture his imagination for awhile.
Thehag about 1 month ago
Hey he’s reading. Doesn’t matter what you read, just read. Usually it will lead to another thing to read, then another and another…..
The Quiet One about 1 month ago
It’s still a book mom.
ellisaana Premium Member about 1 month ago
When there was nothing else, we would read the Yellow Pages, or Dad’s dictionary.
cracker65 about 1 month ago
Hahahaha
Binky about 1 month ago
Gotta love that Hammie (☞ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)☞
[Unnamed Reader - 14b4ce] about 1 month ago
fancy stores like Neiman-Marcus and Hammacher Schlemmerstill have high-priced catalogues.
No,I didn’t make up that second name
Sherlock5 about 1 month ago
There is a dot com website called christmas.musetechnical that has scans of over 300 Christmas, Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer catalogs dating back to the 1940s.