Sometime between the first televised moon landing and the last Bachelor rose ceremony, the Hasbro folks completely ruined the Easy Bake Oven.
Gone is the signature turquoise color. Gone is the 100-watt bulb used for cooking.
Like many toys from my magical youth, the Easy Bake is now constructed in cheap Chinese plastic, outsourced to East Asia only to be recalled in the USA. The worst part—the Easy Bake is now Pepto-Bismol pink. Must every girl thing be pink?
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Barbie, but is she now the CEO of Hasbro?
44ish years ago…
On Saturday morning after Thanksgiving over giant bowls of Lucky Charms, Staci and I studied the Sears Christmas Wish Book. A three inch tome often used as a booster seat at the dining room table, the pages were stuffed with dreams of things we didn’t know we needed. Things not sold in town at Sterling’s Five and Dime. We thoughtfully discussed the merits of each item before allowing it on our carefully crafted Christmas list.
This was an annual ritual and colossal decision. Gifts from Santa saw us through to summer birthdays.
The Easy Bake Oven, a novelty at the time, was at the top of the wish list. We both agreed with little discussion. We wanted that oven. Even more than the new Pan Am Barbie or Twister game.
We quickly posted our lists fireside allowing Santa plenty of time for toy building and sleigh packing. Santa was a busy man—almost as busy as Daddy.
On Christmas morning, presents were scattered around the room and the stockings were over-filled with chocolate candy and tiny trinkets, but the Easy Bake was our favorite and most used gift.
Once again, Santa had graciously overlooked our trespasses. Once again, Santa managed to locate our chimney way out in the country between Cottonwood Corner and Athelstan. These details were as amazing as the little turquoise oven. We attributed this continued good fortune to our daily consumption of Lucky Charms. They really were magical. Just like Christmas.
talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
Musical Pairing:
You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch, Original 1966 Version
