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Home > Blogs > Adventures in Motherhood > Archives > 2010 > December > 07 > Entry
Toys not worth Black Friday hype
This mom is not a Black Friday shopper.
There is nothing my family needs so desperately that it merits waiting in line outside a store in freezing temps at 3 a.m.
Especially if it is a toy that is just going to break within hours; not break because my boys are playing too rough with it, but break because the quality of the toy is flat out pathetic.
I have yet to find a new-generation Transformer that doesn’t need its parts snapped back on every five minutes - literally. Transformers from the ‘80’s are virtually unbreakable. I know this because my sons play for hours with my brother’s old ones.
And the Star Wars Storm Trooper ship? Don’t waste your money.
Toy companies today put more money into the elaborate boxes and 400 metal twist ties than they do the actual toy.
Not only do new toys lack quality, but they also befuddle me (much like my parents were befuddled by the craze for Cabbage Patch Kids).
Last year the hot item was Zhu Zhu Pets. For those of you not familiar, Zhu Zhu Pets are battery operated hamsters that propel around in little tunnels (purchased separately); much like real hamsters (minus the smelly clean-up).
I was thankful the boys showed no interest in these things.
Enter, Kung Zhu: the toughened-up version of Zhu Zhu Pets.
I cringed at the ooohs-and-ahhhhs when these things appeared on the TV. A complete Kung Zhu set includes a battle arena, battle armor and battle cars for the hamsters.
I don’t get it, but little boys do.
Thankfully, neither of my sons decided that Stinky the Garbage Truck was something Santa should bring; nor were Mighty Beanz, Pixos or Beyblade.
Santa glazed right over the WWE wrestling figurines circled in the toy catalog opting for the much more practical Pillow Pets.
Yeah, I fell hook, line and sinker for these things, but not until I saw one in a store and reached out to touch it.
Already whisked away to the Land of Soft and Fuzzy, another mom approached me and said, “My son loves his. I stuff his jammies and pull-ups into the middle, fasten it up and send him off to Grandma’s.”
Sold!
Planting the seed early, the American Girl Doll company sent a catalog to my 15-month-old daughter (sorry, that’s not happening).
My daughter is young enough that she probably wouldn’t remember if Santa brought her anything this year (let alone an American Girl doll), but my sons would notice.
So, in the effort of keeping-up-appearances, Sissy will be deluged with Little People (and a Pillow Pet); all budgeted for and purchased long before Black Friday.
Email this contributing writer at Motherhoodcolumn@yahoo.com.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Motherhood Column
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By Matt
December 8, 2010 12:19 PM | Link to this
You realize that toys are required to break safely. The part comes out (to be snapped back in), because the alternative of a broken (and sharp) piece of plastic isn’t allowed. It’s not a nostalgic quality thing…it’s a regulation thing.
By Dawn
December 7, 2010 1:29 PM | Link to this
As a collector of 80’s transformers I have to say trust me, they are fragile! Try finding a Galvatron with his barrel intact, heck some just shattered in the packaging!
By J
December 7, 2010 11:39 AM | Link to this
I was just speaking with my mom last night about the fact that Black Friday used to be a day you actually planned for - looking in all the ads for the best prices and coupons, planning your shopping strategy as to which stores to hit first - now it is just another sale. I just received an ad and coupon from Kohl’s yesterday that said “Biggest Sale of the Christmas Season”. WHAT?? I thought their BF sale ad said that too?
By JKJ
December 7, 2010 10:48 AM | Link to this
I have never been Black Friday shopping and somehow, someway…we still manage to have a wonderful Christmas.
By NCF
December 7, 2010 10:21 AM | Link to this
Not as much fun this year as in years past. Used to be that Black Friday early morning shoppers were an elite crew, who knew what they were in for as far as lines & weather, &c. But there were so many people out this year, there was hardly any camaraderie like in years past. Maybe it will be better next year, when the newbs this year all forgo future Black Fridays. Maybe I was just in the wrong stores, or the wrong lines.
By Tina
December 7, 2010 10:06 AM | Link to this
Darci, I love reading your column! You give me hope that there are still reasonable mothers out there. Thanks for sharing your insights. Great job!
By null
December 7, 2010 9:11 AM | Link to this
Get your boys a fishing pole and a bb gun- let them know that oxeygen still exists out-of-doors.
By It's all about the $$$$$$$$
December 7, 2010 9:04 AM | Link to this
Black Friday not worth the hype.