Holiday Nostalgia for Gen X: 6 Gifts You Can Buy That Will Bring Back Memories
Written by
Emily Fowler
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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For Gen X, the holidays weren’t just about the money spent or the stuff under the tree — they were about getting the right stuff, the kind of gifts that created memories for years. From action figures to arcade games, the gifts that made kids in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s happy are still as cool today as they were back then.
Here are a few that’ll make any Gen Xer smile, whether they’re receiving the gift, shopping for themselves or passing on a piece of nostalgia to the next generation.
Retro Game Consoles
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of plugging in a vintage Atari 2600 or Nintendo Entertainment System and firing up classics like Pac-Man or Super Mario Bros. For anyone who spent their childhood glued to those early video games, a retro console is a trip down memory lane.
Vintage versions of the Atari 2600 or NES can cost anywhere from $15 to thousands of dollars, depending on condition and whether games and accessories are included.
Cabbage Patch Kids
The Cabbage Patch Kids weren’t just dolls — they were a phenomenon. Every kid in the ’80s knew about the frenzy around these soft-bodied babies, and for many, a Cabbage Patch Kid was the gift of the year. They didn’t just get tucked away in a toy chest — they were part of the family.
According to Jacqueline Rare Antique, vintage Cabbage Patch Kids can fetch $50 to $200 or more, especially if they’re rare or come with their original birth certificate. New versions? Not quite as rare, but they still bring the nostalgia, priced around $10 to $60.
Board Games
Before endless apps and streaming services took over, games like Monopoly, Risk and Life were a staple of family nights. These classic board games weren’t just about winning — they were about the experience. Today’s editions of these classics are still popular and can be found for around $20, depending on the game and edition.
My Little Pony
For anyone who spent their ’80s combing out My Little Pony’s flowing manes, these colorful toys are an unmistakable part of the childhood landscape. They weren’t just for play — they were for collecting.
A vintage My Little Pony can go for $15 to $50, depending on the rarity and condition, with some prized models reaching over $100. New versions are priced around $10 to $20 and offer a flashback to the same rainbow-colored cuteness.
Tamagotchi
In the mid-’90s, Tamagotchi hit the market and quickly became an obsession. These pixelated digital pets required constant attention, and kids and teens went wild making sure their tiny creatures were fed, entertained and kept alive.
Vintage Tamagotchi can cost $10 to upwards of $100, with certain rare models fetching an even higher price. The MSRP of the new Original Tamagotchi is $19.99, and they offer the same digital “pet care” experience Gen X got to enjoy as kids.
Vinyl Records
For anyone who grew up in the ’70s or ’80s, vinyl wasn’t just music — it was an experience. The album art was as big a deal as the music itself, and there was something special about flipping through records at a record store or showing off your collection to friends.
For vintage vinyl, people pay anywhere from $0.10 in thrift stores to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the artist and condition. New releases on vinyl can go for $25 to $50, according to VinyliQ — because some things really never go out of style.
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