Prompt Cast
The Evolution of Must-Have Christmas Toys
TLDR From Cabbage Patch Kids in 1983 to Nintendo game consoles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the hosts discuss the nostalgia and marketing tactics behind must-have Christmas toys. They also delve into the issues of scarcity marketing, toy flippers, and popular toys of the year.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Cabbage Patch Kids were the first must-have Christmas toy in 1983.
04:54
The first must-have Christmas toy was the Cabbage Patch Kids in 1983.
09:59
Nintendo dominated the must-have Christmas toy market for three consecutive years in the late 1980s and early 1990s with their game consoles, including the Game Boy and Super Nintendo.
14:40
The hosts discuss the nostalgia of looking through catalogs to figure out what toys they wanted for Christmas, and how this has evolved into retailers and third-party websites creating lists of must-have toys.
20:34
Retailers and third-party websites create lists of must-have toys, but it's unclear how they determine which toys make the list and if they charge for placement.
25:22
Marketing during the holiday season plays on the idea that people are happier and more willing to buy, especially when it comes to children, who are bombarded with ads on multiple screens; scarcity marketing is also a key factor in driving the frenzy for must-have toys.
30:25
Scarcity marketing is a key factor in driving the frenzy for must-have toys, as it creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity, making people feel like they need to buy the toy before it's gone.
35:21
The hosts discuss the issue of toy flippers and ticket scalpers, expressing their judgment towards those who buy and sell must-have toys and concert tickets for profit, particularly those who use bots to bypass security measures and buy out items within seconds of their release.
40:56
Toy flippers use bots to monitor retail websites and buy up large quantities of must-have toys before regular consumers have a chance, then resell them at exorbitant prices on platforms like Amazon or eBay.
45:35
The hosts discuss some of the popular toys of the year, including the Bloom Doll, Hatchimals, Barbie's dream plane, LOL Surprise dolls, and toys from Ryan's World.
50:19
The hosts discuss their favorite toys on the list, including a Lego make your own movie kit and Fisher Price Lincoln moles.
Categories:
Society & Culture
