Games, dolls hold popularity

Press, 28 December 1978, Page 1

Games, dolls hold popularity

Favourites among children’s Christmas presents this year were the “Star Wars” game for boys, and the ever-popular doll for girls. Tricycles, bicycles, and imported educational toys have also been big sellers, according to the manager of Nurserytown, Ltd (Mr G. B. Strachan). Most Christchurch toy retailers expect the usual post-Christmas returns of faulty and broken toys. The first of these came back yesterday morning. Parents had been “a little bit more cagey” this year and had been buying gifts, although more expensive. that could be used by the whole family, such as pole tennis, said the manager of Storkline (Mr K. B. Campbell). Most retailers said that parents had probably spent about the same on toys this year as last year. Rising costs meant that money was buying less this year, and so customers had looked more for quality in their purchases. Expensive train and slotcar sets, and soft toys, had all sold well, said retailers. Dolls, trucks, aeroplanes, and games were still popular. but only in more sophisticated versions.