Don’t get me wrong, I consider myself an internationalist and I have a deep interest in and enthusiasm for China. Even so, I got really depressed while Christmas shopping in the toy department of John Lewis because almost everything they sell is made in China. I bet there are loads of kids who won’t get a single present this year that is made in the EU.
That is just one reason why I’m feeling so enthusiastic about the Playmobil web store. It’s a really well designed site and the range of beautifully made, imaginative, entertaining and cheap toys is just stunning. I love the attention to detail.
For instance, the Playmobil Santa and sleigh has several toys included for Santa to deliver and if you open the little boxes there are tiny books, a racing car, a miniature teddy and a little football inside them. How often were you disappointed as a child by empty pretend presents? I also love the way in which the themed ranges are so extensive and carefully thought out. The police range has all the things you’d expect but also a safe cracker’s set complete with dodgy looking criminals, a working safe, money and gold bars. There’s also a flash looking getaway car for the crooks or a speed cop complete with radar gun. The building range includes a portacabin for the architect to sit around in as well as the more obvious diggers and cranes and the fairy tale range has a hollow oak for the princess to hide in as well as a waterfall and a frog in a fountain. I’m not sure what range the small and large rock formations belong to but I like the look of them as well.
Unfortunately I had already sent in my order when I discovered the Playmobil collector’s catalogue which features “pictures of over 2000 objects from the 30 years old history of Playmobil… categorized by rareness.” It’s only a tenner, come on mum.