I just saw a cute 'memory' on FB that sure brought back memories: paper dolls! I can even remember 'which' ones I had--well, some of them. I remember Ann Sothern, and the Lennon Sisters. I know there were more, but that's what I thought of just now.
Oh, yes...and I had a Barbie doll (yes, just one!!) when I was about 12. Mine was 'blonde'; my sister had one with dark hair. I think that was the only choice we had. We made clothes for them since we couldn't afford to actually buy more than 1 or 2 outfits. I remember using Kleenex for 'furniture'; one folded length-wise made a 'couch'. Boy, when 'we kids' had imaginations.
When I was baby-sitting (in the 80's & later), I knew 3 yr olds who had half a dozen Barbie dolls. I found that very strange!! And of course, being that young, the first thing they did was take off the doll clothes. And they carried Barbie around by the hair! I had to wonder what the parents were thinking. I sure didn't think that was an appropriate choice.
Of course, these same parents said to let the older kid play with a 'new' toy until they got tired of it. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but if I were going to spend a lot of money on a video game, I'd want it to 'last' a while.
Yes, different generations have different ideas. But it does make you wonder about some parents.