The most popular Christmas presents every year since 1970 (and how much they cost)

18 December 2018, 14:46 | Updated: 16 November 2022, 13:47

By Tom Eames

Christmas is a magical time for kids young and old, particularly when it comes to all the PRESENTS.

Every year there's always a handful of particular toys, games or gadgets that we all desperately want from Santa.

But can you remember the toys you loved from years gone by? Take a look back every year since 1970, and see how many you had, and how much they'd cost today.

(Figures in brackets indicate how much they'd cost in 2018).

1970

1. Nerfball - £1.25 (£18.63)
2. Sindy - £3.99 (£59.95)
3. Apollo Moon Rocket - £1.16 (£17.47)
4. Risk Board Game- £1.73 (£25.99)
5. Talking Viewmaster - £4.62 (£69.44)
Total cost £12.75 (£191.48)
1971

Picture: Getty

1. Space Hopper - £2.25 (£30.89)
2. Mastermind Board Game - £1.64 (£22.96)
3. Weebles - £4.99 (£68.50)
4. Clackers - £1.05 (£14.41)
5. Etch a Sketch - £0.99 (£13.57)
Total cost - £10.92 (£150.33)
1972

1. Skateboard - £3.62 (£46.42)
2. Uno - £1.01 (£12.93)
3. Plasticraft Modelling Kits - £5 (£64.08)
4. Easy Bake Oven - £3.99 (£51.07)
5. Talky Chrissy Doll - £4.71 (£60.36)
Total cost - £18.33 (£234.86)
1973

1. Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle - £3.71 (£43.58)
2. Shrinky Drinks - £0.40 (£4.76)
3. Walkie Talkie Sets - £4.98 (£58.53)
4. Baby Alive - £10.88 (£139.43)
5. Lone Ranger and Tonto Figures - £1.86 (£21.83)
Total cost - £21.83 (£268.13)
1974

1. Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots - £3.46 (£35.03)
2. Dungeons & Dragons - £3.69 (£40.22)
3. Magic 8 Ball - £0.77 (£7.84)
4. Spirograph - £1.27 (£12.88)
5. Twister - £1.35 (£13.71)
Total cost - £10.54 (£109.68)
1975

1. Pet Rock - £1.75 (£14.26)
2. Pong - £43.85 (£357.26)
3. Othello - £2.76 (£35.97)
4. Portable Cassette Player Recorder - £12.40 (£101.05)
5. Monopoly - £1.89 (£15.42)
Total cost - £62.65 (£523.96)
1976

1. Micronauts - £5.85 (£40.93)
2. Cher Doll - £3.39 (£23.69)
3. Magna Doodle - £10.59 (£74.03)
4. Pogo Stick - £2.92 (£20.38)
5. Kites - £0.95 (£6.64)
Total cost - £23.70 (£165.67)
1977

Picture: Getty

1. Atari 2600 - £105.70 (£637.87)
2. Star Wars Figures - £1.44 (£9.36)
3. Stretch Armstrong - £9.58 (£57.81)
4. The Batmobile - £20.71 (£124.98)
5. Portable 8-Track Player - £21.22 (£128.06)
Total cost - £158.65 (£958.08)
1978

1. Hungry Hippos - £3.94 (£22.14)
2. Speak & Spell - £31.54 (£175.75)
3. Simon Says - £31.84 (£177.42)
4. Connect Four - £2.64 (£14.72)
5. Matchbox Powertrack - £39.77 (£221.60)
Total cost - £109.73 (£611.63)
1979

1. Strawberry Shortcake - £4.75 (£24.65)
2. Millenium Falcon - £16.33 (£80.24)
3. Sony Walkman - £81.67 (£401.33)
4. Meccano Construction Set - £10.34 (£50.81)
5. Lego Space - £16.98 (£83.44)
Total cost - £130.07 (£640.47)
1980

Picture: Getty

1. Rubik's Cube - £0.91 (£3.79)
2. Mattell Handheld Electronic Game - £23.25 (£96.83)
3. LEGO Train Set - £40 (£166.59)
4. Mr Frosty - £10.50 (£43.73)
5. Tin Can Alley Target Shooting Game - £39.94 (£166.34)
Total cost - £114.60 (£477.28)
1981

1. Star Wars AT-AT - £28.75 (£107.05)
2. He-Man Castle Grayskull - £29.99 (£111.65)
3. Lite Brite - £14.99 (£55.81)
4. Donkey Kong - £24.99 (£93.04)
5. Baby Precious - £8.05 (£29.96)
Total cost - £106.77 (£397.51)
1982

1. Stompers Truck - £1.99 (£6.82)
2. G.I. Joe Figures - £1.17 (£4.02)
3. BMX Bike - £45 (£154.25)
4. Glo Worm - £4.99 (£17.10)
5. Commodore 64 - £117.85 (£403.98)
Total cost - £171 (£586.17)
1983

Picture: Getty

1. Care Bears - £16.75 (£54.90)
2. Cabbage Patch Kids Doll - £14.91 (£48.86)
3. G.I. Joe APC - £5.96 (£19.52)
4. My Little Pony - £3.55 (£11.63)
5. Rainbow Brite - £12.99 (£42.57)
Total cost - £54.16 (£177.48)
1984

1. Optimus Prime - £16.87 (£52.67)
2. Pound Puppies - £6.99 (£21.82)
3. A-Team Van - £42 (£131.13)
4. R2-D2 Toy Box - £16.20 (£50.57)
5. Tonka GoBots - £5.39 (£16.84)
Total cost - £87.45 (£273.03)
1985

1. Teddy Ruxpin - £57.99 (£170.66)
2. Pillow People - £8.99 (£24)
3. Trivial Pursuit - £8.99 (£24)
4. Care Bear Desk - £18.43 (£54.25)
5. Wuzzles - £11.06 (£32.55)
Total cost - £105.46 (£305.46)
1986

1. Lazer Tag - £34 (£96.76)
2. Lego Airport - £24.96 (£71.03)
3. My Buddy and Kid Sister - £18.72 (£53.27)
4. My Pet Monster - £19.96 (£56.81)
5. Power Wheels Jeep - £112.32 (£319.67)
Total cost - £209.96 (£597.54)
1987

1. Sylvanian Families - £6.97 (£19.04)
2. Koosh Ball - £3 (£8.20)
3. Popples - £12.45 (£34.01)
4. Pogo Ball - £4.11 (£11)
5. Jem Dolls - £8.95 (£24.45)
Total cost - £35.48 (£96.70)
1988

1. Ghost Busters Proton Pack - £19.99 (£52.06)
2. NES Action Set - £94.76 (£246.80)
3. Ghostbusters Fright Features - £3.78 (£9.85)
4. Airless Hockey - £50.54 (£131.62)
5. Playskool Kitchen - £50.54 (£131.62)
Total cost - £219.61 (£571.95)
1989

1. Batmobile - £9.99 (£27.29)
2. The Real Ghostbusters Table-top Pinball - £59.32 (£143.35)
3. Polly Pocket - £5.50 (£12.99)
4. Disney Sno-Cone Castle - £8.66 (£20.93)
5. Talking Alf - £27.99 (£76.47)
Total cost - £111.46 (£281.03)
1990

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figures - £3.99 (£8.81)
2. Mouse Trap - £12.25 (£27.04)
3. Sega Mega Drive - £189.99 (£419.42)
4. Polly Pocket - £4.95 (£10.93)
5. Mr Frosty Ice Crunchie Machine - £10.75 (£23.73)
Total cost - £221.93 (£489.93)
1991

1. Sega Game Gear - £97.95 (£204.24)
2. Nintendo Game Boy - £69.99 (£145.94)
3. Super Soaker 50 - £9.99 (£20.83)
4. Playmobil Victorian Dollhouse - £75 (£156.39)
5. Quints Dolls - £6.99 (£14.58)
Total cost - £259.92 (£541.98)
1992

1. WWF Action Figures - £4.99 (£10.03)
2. Thunderbirds' Tracy Island - £23.99 (£48.22)
3. Super Nintendo Entertainment System - £99.99 (£208.98)
4. The Littlest Pet Shop - £19.99 (£40.18)
5. Slap Bracelets - £1.99 (£4)
Total cost - £150.95 (£311.41)
1993

1. Talkboy - £24.97 (£49.40)
2. Barbie Doll - £10.99 (£21.74)
3. Action Man - £9.99 (£19.77)
4. Play-Doh - £4.75 (£9.40)
5. Dream Phone - £29.99 (£59.34)
Total cost - £80.69 (£159.65)
1994

1. Power Rangers Action Figures - £4.99 (£9.64)
2. Biker Mice from Mars Action Figures - £4.75 (£9.18)
3. Cabbage Patch Kids - £28.99 (£56.01)
4. Silly Putty - £1.50 (£2.90)
5. Dear Diary - £23.99 (£46.35)
Total cost - £64.22 (£124.08)
1995

1. PlayStation - £287.75 (£537.28)
2. POGs - £2.99 (£5.58)
3. Beanie Baby - £3.99 (£7.45)
4. Sky Dancers - £7.99 (£14.92)
5. Baby All Gone - £19.40 (£36.22)
Total cost - £322.12 (£601.45)
1996

Buzz Lightyear action figure from 1995. Picture: Getty

1. Tickle Me Elmo - £19.99 (£36.44)
2. Buzz Lightyear - £23.99 (£43.74)
3. Doodle Bear - £14.75 (£26.89)
4. Gooey Louie - £12.99 (£23.68)
5. Space Jam Action Figures - £9.99 (£18.21)
Total cost - £81.71 (£148.96)
1997

1. Nintendo 64 - £150 (£265.15)
2. Tamagotchi - £9.99 (£16.88)
3. Teletubbies - £27.99 (£49.48)
4. Digimon - £8.75 (£15.47)
5. Spice Girls Girl Power Dolls - £9.99 (£17.66)
Total cost - £206.72 (£364.64)
1998

1. Furby - £24.99 (£42.71)
2. Bop It - £14.99 (£25.62)
3. Nintendo Game Boy Colour - £69.99 (£119.62)
4. ProYo - £4.75 (£8.12)
5. Laser Challenge - £44.99 (£76.89)
Total cost - £159.71 (£272.96)
1999

1. Pokemon Red & Pokemon Blue - £19.99 (£33.65)
2. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Game - £23.99 (£40.38)
3. Scalextric AFX Vertigo Set - £48.99 (£82.46)
4. Nintendo Game Boy Camera - £39.50 (£66.49)
5. Tyco Rebound - £75 (£126.24)
Total cost - £207.47 (£349.22)
2000

1. Teksta Robotic Dog - £38.74 (£63.33)
2. Micro Scooter - £90 (£147.13)
3. Amazing Ally - £37.37 (£61.10)
4. Pokemon Pokedex - £19.97 (£32.49)
5. Nokia 3310 - £150 (£245.22)
Total cost - £336.08 (£549.27)
2001

Bob the Builder. Picture: Getty

1. Bob the Builder - £19.97 (£32.08)
2. Lego Bionicle - £7 (£11.24)
3. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - £29.99 (£48.17)
4. iPod Classic - £273.47 (£439.30)
5. Sony PlayStation 2 - £299 (£480.30)
Total cost - £629.43 (£1,011.09)
2002

1. Bratz Dolls - £24.99 (£39.48)
2. Rapunzel Barbie - £13.70 (£21.64)
3. Xbox - £299.99 (£473.99)
4. Yu-Gi-Oh - £7 (£11.06)
5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Figures - £9.99 (£15.78)
Total cost - £355.67 (£561.95)
2003

1. Beyblades - £5.99 (£9.20)
2. Cranium Board Game - £25 (£38.39)
3. Nokia N-Gage - £209.60 (£321.87)
4. Lord of the Rings Figures - £13.99 (£21.48)
5. Badge It - £15 (£23.03)
Total cost - £269.58 (£413.97)
2004

1. Robosapien - £74.97 (£111.80)
2. iPod Mini - £139.93 (£208.66)
3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - £29.99 (£44.72)
4. Halo 2 - £29.99 (£44.72)
5. Motorola Razr - £210.25 (£313.52)
Total cost - £485.13 (£723.42)
2005

1. Xbox 360 - £299 (£433.62)
2. Tamagotchi Connexion - £13.06 (£18.94)
3. Nintendo DS - £99.99 (£145.01)
4. iPod Nano - £104.20 (£151.11)
5. Star Wars Electronic Light Sabers - £34.19 (£49.59)
Total cost - £550.44 (£798.27)
2006

1. Nintendo Wii - £169 (£237.50)
2. My Furreal Friends Pony - £206.26 (£289.86)
3. Tickle Me Elmo - £27.50 (£38.65)
4. Fly Wheels XPV - £41.01 (£57.63)
5. Wii Sports - £39.99 (£56.20)
Total cost - £483.76 (£679.84)
2007

Picture: Getty

1. PlayStation 3 - £395 (£532.29)
2. Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock - £69.70 (£93.93)
3. iPod Touch - £141.05 (£190.07)
4. Doctor Who Dalek Voice Changer Mask - £29.95 (£40.36)
5. WWE Playset - £19.95 (£26.88)
Total cost - £655.65 (£883.53)
2008

1. High School Musical Dance Mat - £17.99 (£23.31)
2. Iron Man DVD - £14.99 (£19.43)
3. Transformers Movie Deluxe Figures - £39.99 (£51.82)
4. Rubik's Revolution - £13.81 (£17.89)
5. iPhone 3G - £354.20 (£459)
Total cost - £440.98 (£571.45)
2009

1. Go Go Pet Hamster - £9.99 (£13.02)
2. Monopoly City 3D - £24.99 (£32.56)
3. GX Racers - £29.99 (£39.07)
4. Battle Strikers - £9.99 (£13.02)
5. Ben 10 Action Cruiser - £29.99 (£39.07)
Total cost - £104.95 (£136.74)
2010

1. Toy Story 3 DVD - £4.99 (£6.21)
2. iPad - £429 (£534.25)
3. Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear - £39.99 (£49.80)
4. FurReal Go Go Walking Pup Hasbro - £59.99 (£74.71)
5. Nerf N-Strike - £54.99 (£68.48)
Total cost - £588.96 (£733.45)
2011

1. Nintendo 3DS - £126.60 (£149.86)
2. Moshling Treehouse - £18.99 (£22.48)
3. Fijit Friends - £54.99 (£65.09)
4. Lego Ninjago Fire Temple -£91.99 (£108.89)
5. Doggie Doo - £22.99 (£27.21)
Total cost - £315.56 (£373.53)
2012

1. Skylanders Giants - £52.89 (£60.66)
2. Wii U - £250 (£286.73)
3. Furby - £59.99 (£68.80)
4. Twister Dance - £26.99 (£30.95)
5. Lego Lord of the Rings - £68.99 (£79.12)
Total cost - £458.86 (£526.26)
2013

1. Xbox One - £429 (£477.51)
2. PlayStation 4 - £349 (£388.46)
3. Lego City Coastguard - £39.99 (£44.51)
4. Hoverboard - £229.42 (£255.36)
5. Grand Theft Auto V - £44.99 (£50.08)
Total cost - £1,092.40 (£1,215.92)
2014

1. Frozen Snow Glow Elsa - £34.99 (£38.05)
2. iPhone 6 - £499.94 (£543.63)
3. The Sims 4 - £59.99 (£65.23)
4. Minecraft Figures - £7.99 (£8.69)
5. Bop It! Beats - £21.99 (£23.91)
Total cost - £624.90 (£679.51)
2015

1. Bladebuilder Jedi Master Lightsaber - £44.99 (£48.44)
2. Star Wars BB-8 Toy Droid - £129.99 (£139.97)
3. LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Millennium Falcon - £649.99 (£699.87)
4. IDO3D Craft Design Studio - £39.99 (£43.06)
5. Thunderbirds Interactive Tracey Island - £79.50 (£85.60)
Total cost - £944.46 (£1,016.94)
2016

1. Pie Face - £19.99 (£21.16)
2. Hatchimals - £56.95 (£60.30)
3. Paw Patrol - £39.99 (£42.34)
4. NES Classic - £49.99 (£52.93)
5. Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage - £89.99 (£95.28)
Total cost - £256.91 (£272.01)
2017

1. Fingerlings - £14.99 (£15.32)
2. LOL Surprise Dolls - £9.99 (£10.21)
3. Fidget Spinner - £5.99 (£6.12)
4. Nintendo Switch - £279.99 (£286.15)
5. SNES Classic - £69.99 (£71.53)
Total cost - £380.95 (£389.33)
2018

Picture: Getty

1. Red Dead Redemption 2 - £48.99
2. LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall - £87.95
3. Monopoly Fortnite Edition - £21.99
4. iPhone XR - £749
5. PlayStation Classic - £89.99
Total cost - £997.92