There seems to be an inexplicable universal phenomenon around Christmas, in that it always manages to bring out the inner child in even the most sceptical of adults. Whether it’s the magic of those traditional tales about Father Christmas delivering toys to children on Christmas Eve, or simply the sheer collective excitement as children await the arrival of the one toy they have dreamed of all year, the unmistakable charm of Christmas captivates the imagination.
Back in August, research by Argos revealed that a quarter of Brits had already started shopping for Christmas and a list of the most desirable toys included the latest Buzz Lightyear figurine (from Toy Story 4), a twerking Robotic Llama from Pets Alive (yes, really), an Owleez interactive pet, a Transforming Batmobile from Fisher-Price and a Battle Bus from the cult favourite online video game Fortnite.
These days, with many of the most popular ‘tech-enhanced’ toys being influenced by film and video game characters of popular culture and social media trends, there has also been a demand for classic toys such as music boxes, hobby horses and vintage corded toy phones.
Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Somerset Life.
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Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Somerset Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Up on the Down
Try this easy-to-follow Exmoor walk with SIMONE STANBROOK-BYRNE
Shop until you drop
It’s Somerset’s county town, it’s the place to go for the big shops, but Taunton is also home to a thriving independent scene, discovers CATHERINE COURTENAY
Creatures of the night
Have you ever had something swoop past your ear, almost unseen? You may have had a brief encounter with a bat, says BERNARD BALE
Bowled over
Now that we can return to skittle and bowling alleys - albeit with new rules BERNARD BALE reveals that the sport of bowling has many Somerset links
Trackway through time
In the Somerset Levels SIMONE STANBROOK-BYRNE discovers a place where our Neolithic heritage rubs shoulders with the present day
SAVING THE SPLENDOUR OF EXMOOR
The splendour of Exmoor National Park may appear timeless and untroubled, but a new book reveals the long and often bitter struggle conservationists faced to save the landscape from the twin threats of afforestation and the plough
Decorative art
Not simply functional, treat your walls like an extension of your personality
Charity starts at home
How do we teach our children the importance of giving back?
Blooming brilliant
Will and Lauren Holley purchased a four-acre field in Somerset, converted it into a nursery, opened during lockdown and now their perennial plants are flying off the shelves. JULIE HARDING meets the go-getting couple
Age-old advice
Just become a grandparent for the first time? Perhaps you need a little guidance, so here are some top tips about how to embrace your new family role
