Retro and nostalgic Christmas toys to add to Santa’s sack: Take a trip down memory lane

The traditional musical wind-up toy is bound to have your little one shrieking with joy, although they might get a bit of a shock at first, we all have to go through that initiation! Just like the Jack-in-the-box from your childhood, it's a reto-style metal box, you just have to wind it up by turning the handle, just like back in the day, and a plush clown Jack jumps out to shock and delight! This musical box fittingly plays "Pop goes the weasel", which we're sure your little one will love to sing along to with you, waiting with baited breath for the clown to pop up.

One reviewer thought it was a well-built toy and said their grandson absolutely loves it. Another customer pointed out that it can be tricky for kids to get the clown back into the box, and that the odd time he pops out early - but we think that just adds to the fun. Overall they were pretty happy but weren't sure about the longevity as they said the handle is pretty lightweight. Perhaps a little supervision is required when little ones are small and a bit heavy-handed.

Who remembers pumping the handle on one of these traditional spinning tops to watch it spin? Once moving, this one by Bigjigs Toys offers a great humming sounds that builds and builds, and vivid primary colours to enjoy. It's a fantastic addition to any nursery, toy box or playroom. the toy is also ideal for austistic children as it offers a gentle sensory experience and helps to develop dexterity and hand/coordination as they pump the handle.

One reviewer points out that it was slightly smaller than they expected but made extremely well. They said, "It makes a lovely humming sound and even spins on carpet and best of all when it has finished spinning it doesn't fall over but stays upright."

The iconic childrens toy - Mr Frosty - has been around for several decades. If you didn't have one of these when you were a kid, you probably wanted one! It has become a nostalgic toy for many adults who enjoyed playing with it as children. If you never got to enjoy making ice crunchies as a kid with your own Mr. Frosty, why not get one for your little one so you can have a go too? In fact, one reviewer said they bought this for someone who always wanted one as a child, and shared that it's the same quality as back in the 80's! Being a snowman, we think it'll make the perfect Christmas gift.

The toy comes with a plastic ice chamber, a hand-cranked ice grinder, and various moulds and toppings for creating unique and delicious treats. It's easy to use; first fill the ice chamber with ice cubes or crushed ice. Then, turn the handle to grind the ice into small, crunchy pieces. The ice is collected in a removable container at the bottom of the toy and kids can use the moulds to create fun shapes like stars, hearts and animals. We love that it's a healthy alternative to ice-cream too!

Christmas is the best time to get out a game for the whole family to play, and one of the most fun games we could think of where everyone can get involved has got to be Classic Jenga! Made entirely of wooden blocks, the game is beautifully simple - just slide out blocks one by one, and place them on top of the stack, but don't let the tower fall!

Older kids and adults will enjoy the strategy side of this game, while younger kids can play with the block in all kinds of ways, stacking them to make towers or other structures... it's not Christmas after all unless there are toys all over the living room floor and someone has stubbed their toe!

We love that there are different versions of this game that are more geared towards adults or children, but you can't go wrong with the classic version. One reviewer said, "Arrived in perfect condition, no issues. Classic game loved by all the family from kids to grandparents, played over Christmas and multiple times since. Really easy way to keep everyone entertained for a good while, for all ages - lots of fun & can get competitive too!"

Who remembers this wacky guy? The Mr Potato Head toy is still a family favourite, and a great gift to enjoy at Christmas time. Parents say this toy is perfect for toddlers practicing their motor skills. One reviewer points out, "Great old school toy, not as sturdy as the original, but still good quality and kids were very happy"

Suitable for little ones aged 2 years and up, the toy set encourages kids to express their creativity and imagination, with 1 potato body and 12 detachable Potato Head accessories, including a moustache (or is it eyebrows?), a classic bowler hat, and 2 shoes. We also love the large compartment door on the back of the potato body where all the pieces can be stored.

My Little Pony has been jazzed up with a modern makeover for today's generation, but who remembers these retro classic? if you used to play with these as a kid, you might be thrilled to discover that you can buy the classic style My Little Pony toys.

Which one was your favourite? Was it Apple Jack? Butterscotch? Grab a bargain - Blossom is currently on sale and we're sure your toddler will appreiciate pulling Blossom out of their Santa sack on Christmas morning! She comes with a brush, ribbon, and mini collector poster.

One reviewer said, "All in all this is a great reproduction. The colour of Blossom is darker than the original but she is lovely." Another reviewer said, "Looks and feels just like the original 1982 model. Head turns as well."