In 1879, Gamers Enjoyed Lead Poisoning And Ghosts At Christmas

Many a hearty wish to you on this, Christmas 1879. While all those in the far reaches of two-thousand and twenty-four are wishing for professional stations of play, or perhaps a virtually ocular head-worn garment to play with, we have much more heartfelt and exuberant gifts for our loved ones.

A mug of mulled wine and a dainty parlour game is all I need to be merry this Yule. Perhaps a game of Solomon’s Dog or Balance On A Chair. But the children have taken a moment out of their busy work sweeping chimneys to enjoy some of the new toys and games of the year.

Stick And Hoop

You cannot beat an old classic, and Stick and Hoop was recently described by Mr. Geoffrey Keighley of Toronto as the Game of the Year for the 360th consecutive year.

Perhaps it is the ease of which I was able to fashion the hoop from an old cart wheel, or the way the stick was plucked from a vagrant on the walk home from church one day, but my children have been overjoyed pushing the hoop hither and yon and attempting to keep it in motion with the use of a baton.

There is a depth to Stick and Hoop that new players may not ascertain. The skilled practitioner must account for different terrains, such as cobble or dirt, and new sticks can always be acquired to improve your skill. It is truly an endless game.

The Latest Zoetrope

Though there may be concerns by some adults that children are spending too much time gazing at them and not enough time fixing industrial machinery with their small hands, it is hard to deny the allure of the zoetrope.

Spin the wheel and look through the gap, and small illustrations come alive in a marvel of movement. This year, zoetrope aficionados are eager for even a fleeting glimpse of ‘Horse Running’. ‘Bird Flapping Its Wings’ was exciting when it arrived in toy shops earlier this year, but the failure to follow up with any new birds has resulted in the horse taking this festive period by storm.

Something Made Of Lead

While I do pride myself on the gifts I supply my children during the festive season, I fear sometimes I simply do not understand what their small hearts desire Why would a child want a mere lump of inert, totally harmless lead to play with?

The blacksmith has taken to fashioning figures and trinkets out of the metal, such as soldiers and small dogs. Why have a small, leaden dog when there are perfectly good ones fighting for scraps on the road? But nevertheless, they are small and harmless, so these idols make a good gift for wee children.

A Rocking Horse

Your child could pretend to be a highwayman, or perhaps riding in the cavalry at the battle of Waterloo with this rocking horse. It has been meticulously crafted by the finest carpenters, with attention to detail not just on its wooden appearance, but in how it moves and behaves.

Rocking horses these days are so true to life that one must wonder how many long nights were spent carving them. Even the unmentionable nether-regions of a stallion rocking horse can expand and contract with the weather, giving your child the real experience of riding a horse without the mess of maintaining a stable.

And, naturally, all kinds of horses and horse accessories are available for purchase. It is only fitting, after all, that a mighty steed should have armour to wear as your child rides it into imaginary battle.

A Very Nice Doll

Any child would love a doll of their very own to care for. Its head can turn, and its beautiful eyelashes can flutter, giving it a dainty and endearing appearance. And look at the clothes, with the beautiful fabric hand-sewn into dresses, pyjamas, and other garments.

But dolls can be expensive, especially when looking at fine porcelain over hand-me-down peg dolls. The frugal gift-giver knows means to avoid this expense, however, and I found this doll at a local bazaar. While it seems to have the small issue of regurgitating stale cow’s blood and whispering of long-forgotten scandals, it is the perfect gift for those not wishing to spend too many shillings on something as tawdry as a child’s toy.

The hot new digital entertainment package from Bethesda Softworks, Skyrim’s recent launch is a once-in-a-generation event. Heading into the frigid north of Skyrim and collecting the souls of the draconic fiends that live there is an experience like no other, and future audiences will likely not be able to acquire such a unique and unparalleled piece of entertainment.

Though there is rumour of a new Elder Scrolls launching in 1880, until then we have this one and only release of Skyrim to bide our time. Savour it, for it shall not be available forever.

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