Skip to content

Suitcase record player versus Poopsie Slime

Joyce Walter writes about looking through flyers to get a handle on the hot Christmas gifts this year
ReflectiveMoments_JoyceWalter
Reflective Moments by Joyce Walter

The catalogues of Christmas seasons past are still missed in this household.

They are missed because without the help of the T. Eaton Company and Simpsons-Sears (later Sears), we older folks now have no idea what is “cool” and desired by the young ’uns in the family.

We are somewhat off the hook because our young ’uns are mostly grown up, physically, and would no longer get excited with toy drums and carpentry sets — given mostly to annoy the parents once we were out of sight.

But it is still interesting to see what is available for this year’s Christmas gift exchange. Therefore, when retail flyers come to a mailbox near us, I browse with a keen eye to see if there’s anything that might appeal to the names on our gift list. 

My eye recently went immediately to a table top hockey game, being amazed that an item from our past is still a popular choice some decades later. 

We spent many hours with friends, playing on our hockey game. Of course when I played; my Canadiens always defeated the Maple Leafs, my eye-to-hand co-ordination helping my goaltender stop the blazing shots from Housemate or other competitors. I think we donated that good-as-new hockey game to the Salvation Army. I just hope the Canadiens are still on the top of their game.

Another item caught my eye: Poopsie Slime Surprise, a great value, the flyer proclaimed, at only $14.99. Further information said selected packages are part of the Poop Pack Series. Yikes. Slightly less disgusting was a package of Yucky Slime for a bigger price tag.

For the youthful builders who want more than a hammer set, the deluxe play work bench and a power drill with some complementary tools for a separate price would certainly fulfil any construction yearnings.

Flipping through the pages of this and other flyers, I noted that the colour of some household appliances seems to determine the price. Red, for instance, is more expensive than black for the same item. With sketchy details offered, one can only assume that the red appliance takes on more duties and the black one is the basic model.

Then suddenly there it was in publications from two different companies, with varying degrees of capabilities, a definite nostalgia-inducing gift item for older recipients, and one that would satisfy the desire for retro in younger generations.

The name alone was an attention-grabber. Victrola. Anyone of an age older than 50 should have knowledge of that name. It was launched in 1906 by the Victor Talking Machine Company and was known for machines that would play music through a variety of means including various sizes of vinyl recordings. While the trademark faded over years, it was revived about three years ago, promising to bring “the same high quality, nostalgic turntables of the past.”

And thus, for this Christmas gift opportunity, various outlets are offering the basic suitcase model which will play three speeds of vinyl. In addition there is a more modern style which also provides a Bluetooth capability — sounding a bit complicated for the older shopper.

So there’s food for thought for the person who already has everything. And speaking of food, right in the middle of all the gadgets is another not-to-be-beaten idea — a 12 pack of Kraft Dinner. But hurry as there’s no rain checks available.

Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.  

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks