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The Definitive Guide to the Top Christmas Toys of the 1990s: A Journey Through Pop Culture Icons

Connor Banks
Nov 26, 2024
4 min read

The 1990s were a golden age for toys, marked by innovation, mass media influence, and a series of must-have items that defined each holiday season. From action figures inspired by blockbuster movies to groundbreaking tech infused gadgets, each year delivered a new cultural phenomenon that took over wish lists worldwide.

1990: Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles Action Figures

The year kicked off the decade with a bang, as Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles (as they were known in the UK) dominated children’s imaginations. Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael transitioned from comic books to Saturday morning TV heroes, making their action figures a must have. With their unique personalities, weapons, and accessories, the Turtles encouraged hours of imaginative play. Their success reflected the growing trend of toys tied to multimedia franchises—a formula that would dominate the decade.

1991: Nintendo Game Boy

In 1991, the gaming world went portable with the Nintendo Game Boy. Bundled with the addictive Tetris game, this handheld console became an instant classic. The ability to play anywhere, combined with a lineup of iconic games like Super Mario Land and Pokémon (later in the 90s), solidified its status as a game changer. By bringing gaming into backpacks and back pockets, the Game Boy set the standard for on-the-go entertainment.

1992: Barbie (Totally Hair Barbie)

Barbie continued her reign in 1992 with the release of Totally Hair Barbie, the bestselling Barbie of all time. With her floor length hair and accompanying styling gel, she reflected the bold fashion trends of the era. Barbie’s adaptability as a cultural icon shone through once again, as kids embraced the creativity of styling her hair while adults admired her enduring influence on the toy market.

1993: Thunderbirds Tracy Island Playset

Nostalgia met new fandom in 1993 when the Thunderbirds TV series was reaired, sparking a frenzy for the Tracy Island Playset. This detailed replica of the International Rescue’s base captured the hearts of fans young and old. With its interactive launch pads and popup features, the playset became so sought after that BBC’s Blue Peter famously showed viewers how to make their own. Tracy Island wasn’t just a toy; it was a cultural phenomenon that bridged generations.

1994: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Action Figures

By 1994, Saturday morning TV had a new ruler: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. The show’s action-packed episodes inspired a line of Power Rangers action figures that were as dynamic as their onscreen counterparts. Each figure’s unique weapons and colour coded identities encouraged kids to collect the entire team. The Rangers represented teamwork, diversity, and martial arts mastery, making them an enduring symbol of 90s pop culture.

1995: Pogs

The mid90s brought Pogs, a lowtech but highly addictive playground phenomenon. These small cardboard discs became the ultimate collectible, with designs ranging from cartoons to edgy artwork. Simple to play but endlessly customizable, Pogs were the epitome of 90s youth culture. Trading, battling, and collecting Pogs wasn’t just a pastime—it was a social ritual that defined recess for a generation.

1996: Buzz Lightyear Action Figure

“To infinity and beyond!” In 1996, Buzz Lightyear soared to the top of Christmas wish lists, thanks to the success of Pixar’s Toy Story. The Buzz Lightyear action figure brought the beloved space ranger to life, complete with popout wings, a retractable helmet, and sound effects. As the embodiment of adventure and optimism, Buzz became a symbol of the 90s’ technological innovation and imaginative spirit.

1997: Tamagotchi

The digital age hit its stride with the Tamagotchi, a pocket-sized virtual pet that required constant attention. Kids were hooked on feeding, cleaning, and playing with their pixelated companions, creating an unprecedented blend of technology and nurturing play. Tamagotchis became a cultural touchstone, reflecting the 90s fascination with portable tech and the early stirrings of digital interactivity.

1998: Furby

The holiday season of 1998 belonged to the Furby, a fuzzy, owllike electronic pet with the ability to "learn" language and interact with its environment. Furbies combined advanced robotics with endearing personalities, making them both a technological marvel and a lovable companion. Their rapid sellout and ensuing resale frenzy highlighted their status as a cultural juggernaut. Few toys captured the quirky, tech-driven essence of the 90s as perfectly as Furby.

1999: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Board Game

As the 90s came to a close, TV’s biggest quiz show became a board game sensation. The “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” Board Game allowed families to recreate the high-stakes drama of the show, complete with lifelines like “50:50” and “Phone a Friend.” Its success reflected the 90s obsession with trivia and TV tie-ins, while its accessibility made it a staple of family game nights.

A Decade of Toy Trends

The top toys of the 90s weren’t just playthings—they were cultural milestones. Each year’s hit toy reflected broader trends, from multimedia dominance (TMNT, Power Rangers, Toy Story) to technological breakthroughs (Game Boy, Tamagotchi, Furby). Collectibility and social interaction were key drivers, as seen with Pogs and the Millionaire board game.

The toys of the 90s remain iconic because they didn’t just entertain—they told stories, connected people, and embodied the spirit of an era. Whether you grew up with these toys or are rediscovering them now, their legacy is a testament to the magic of childhood and the power of pop culture.

The End of the Safety Net: Why Slashing Farm Subsidies Could Threaten the UK’s Food Future

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16 April 2025

Paul Francis

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Not only do UK farmers now face the looming threat of inheritance tax reforms that could force centuries-old family farms to be sold off - but they’re also contending with a policy shift that dismantles the very foundation of their economic stability: the withdrawal of direct farm subsidies.

A black-and-white cow grazes on a lush, green field with a dense forest in the background. The scene is peaceful and natural.

In a time of global instability - wars in Europe and the Middle East, disrupted trade routes, volatile commodity markets - the UK government is removing financial safeguards that have underpinned British agriculture for decades. And it’s doing so faster than many in the industry can adapt.

The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), a direct subsidy paid to farmers under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), is in its final years. By 2027, it will be completely gone. In its place: a complex, tiered system of environmental schemes under the umbrella of the Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS). Worthy in theory, but in practice? A mess of bureaucracy, delays, and shortfalls.

And the timing couldn’t be worse.

A Lifeline Cut-Off Before the Bridge Was Built

The BPS wasn’t perfect, but it provided one essential function - it kept farms afloat. Payments were calculated based on the amount of land farmed, offering predictability and a cashflow buffer that allowed British farms to invest in new equipment, manage seasonal fluctuations, and ride out the weather, both literal and economic.

Now, payments have been rapidly reduced. By 2024, many farmers had already lost 35%–50% of their BPS income. In 2025, a new cap of £7,200 per farm will apply. That’s a fraction of the £20,000 to £50,000 mid-size farms previously received.

The replacement - ELMS - promises payments for "public goods": improving soil health, reducing carbon emissions, boosting biodiversity. Laudable aims. But ask most farmers, and they’ll tell you: they don’t object to sustainability. What they object to is the speed and scale of the transition, and the fact that the new payments often don’t come close to replacing what’s being lost.

Environmental Schemes: Aspirations Without Infrastructure

At the core of ELMS are three tiers:

Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI): Encourages low-level changes such as herbal leys, no-till farming, and reducing fertiliser use.
Local Nature Recovery: Pays for habitat restoration and targeted environmental actions.
Landscape Recovery: Funds large-scale, long-term ecosystem restoration, often in collaboration with multiple landowners.

But uptake has been patchy at best. As of late 2024, fewer than half of eligible farms had enrolled in any ELMS scheme. Why?

The schemes are confusing. Farmers must navigate different options, overlapping rules, and constant revisions.
The application process is time-consuming and opaque.
Payments under SFI are often insufficient, especially for mixed or livestock farms in upland areas where land-use change is more difficult.
Crucially, many tenanted farmers - nearly a third of all farms in England - face legal and logistical barriers to taking part.

DEFRA has promised streamlining. But meanwhile, farmers are left in limbo - without clear income streams, but still expected to feed the nation.

The Cost of Poor Policy Timing

Agricultural experts, rural economists, and even major retailers have raised alarm bells. In a scathing 2023 report, the National Audit Office warned that DEFRA had failed to communicate the changes effectively, leaving many in the dark about what the new schemes offer.

The NFU (National Farmers’ Union) has repeatedly called on the government to pause BPS cuts until ELMS is fully functioning, but those calls have largely been ignored. In late 2024, a coalition of MPs from all parties demanded a review, warning that this abrupt withdrawal of support could lead to an exodus from the industry.

And that’s not just a theoretical risk. A nationwide NFU survey found that 11% of farmers were considering leaving farming altogether due to the combined impact of reduced subsidies, labour shortages, and rising costs.

Food Security in an Uncertain World

This isn’t just a farming problem - it’s a national one.

The UK is already heavily reliant on imports for key food items. And with international trade routes threatened by conflict in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, and shipping disruptions in the Red Sea, supply chains are becoming more fragile by the month.

Should we really be cutting back our domestic food production capacity now?

Government ambitions to rewild 10% of farmland, promote biodiversity, and shift toward carbon sequestration may look good on a whiteboard in Whitehall. But on the ground, it’s leading to reduced livestock numbers, lower domestic output, and a growing dependence on foreign markets that may not be as reliable as once assumed.

A Dangerous Gamble

To many farmers, this feels like an ideological experiment being conducted in real-time -with their livelihoods and our food supply on the line. And as supermarket CEOs and farming groups increasingly speak out, it’s clear this isn’t just grumbling from the shires. It’s a cry of alarm from the foundation of the UK’s food system.

Environmental ambition is important. Climate change is real. But so is hunger.

We can pursue sustainability - but not by pulling the rug out from under those who feed us. The government’s subsidy reform may have noble aims, but its execution is flawed, its timeline reckless, and its consequences potentially devastating.

If we want a resilient, secure food future, we must support the people who make it possible - not push them to the brink.