Christmas is just around the corner! It will be our eighth Christmas in the shop, and I would like to thank all our customers for your continued support. I believe Christmas is a family time when families get together. One of my fondest memories is when one year I bought a beat-up old minibus, and we filled it up with twelve family members and went to the Isle of Skye. We had Christmas dinner outside our rented cottages overlooking the sea. We had several grand children with us and my son in law dressed in a Santa outfit and climbed on the roof of one of the cottages. We carefully tipped off the children that something was on the roof – the looks on their faces when they saw Santa will live with me forever!
Being one of seven children we did not have much money but always had a wonderful time. My poor mum would make do and mend but always made it special for us kids. She once repainted my older brother’s bike and gave it to me for Christmas – I was so proud of my new bike! Other than that, we each got an apple, orange, and a new sixpence in our stockings. I also remember getting a new dinky toy with my pocket money. Unfortunately, the first thing we did when I opened it was to throw the box on the fire and proceed to batter the dinky toy almost to death I played with it that much. Knowing what I know now, I would have saved the boxes and cars in good condition as they are now worth a small fortune, but children don’t think of that when they get a new toy.
The market for old toys is very strong, mostly from older men buying the toys they had as children. I suppose in twenty or thirty years there will be a market for old mobile phone models that people had as teenagers. Fashions are always changing. Small collectables are our biggest sellers as are old toys, coins, medals, and even old cigarette lighters are now collected. Very old football programmes can be quite valuable and old mechanical watches both pocket and wrist are also sought after.
Why don’t you consider visiting the shop and purchasing something old and pre-loved for a collector in your life for Christmas?
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year,
David and Carol
