Not sure how things are in the Twin Cities area, Boyd, but here in the Mid-Atlantic region, if you're not seeing trains at Christmas time, you ain't trying. Tons of Fire Departments, shopping centers, and museums put up month long displays, that draw thousands.
Challenger has the right idea. Hand out LIONEL starter sets as family presents (sure does make holiday shopping a snap). For approximately $150 you can start a new tradition in many households. I've done this for several of my non-train friends, and now they are setting up gardens every Christmas. With the advent of mass marketing by LEMAX, they are able to add a nice scene around the tree without going broke.
Fifedog,
My 3 youngest Nephews are 5,5 &3. I have them TOTALLY HOOKED on O-Gauge trains, on their Birthdays and Christmas, they always want to open the presents from Uncle Doug first, knowing it will be train related. My 8 year old Niece is really into Horses, so I have been giving her Breyer collectable Horses. On her last Birthday, her 5 year old Cousin brought over the gift from me, and wanted to help her open it, thinking that he knew what was inside. The look on his face when he saw a HORSE, not a Train, probably would have won the annual Prize on America's Funniest Home Videos.
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month