Hamleys Christmas Gift Ideas

Hamleys is named after William Hamley, who founded a toy shop called "Noah's Ark" at High Holborn in London in 1760. A branch in Regent Street was opened in 1881,but the Holburn branch was destroyed by fire in 1901 and was relocated from 231 to 86–87 High Holborn. The business has survived in various forms to the present day, and at one time was the largest toy shop in the world. Hamleys moved to its current Regent Street premises in 1981. In fact Hamleys was there 11 years before Eros statue in Piccadilly Circus at the end of Regents Street.

So great had the shop's reputation become by the end of Queen Vicoria's reign, that Jean Jaques and Sons asked if they could launch their new 'Gossima' exclusively through Hamleys. The public immediately took to the game which they christened 'ping pong' after the noise made by the bouncing of its hollow white celluloid ball. Not until 1921 did it officially become Table Tennis. Not many people know that!

Even being bombed five times in the blitz did not stop Hamleys. The staff wearing tin hats served at the front door, rushing in to collect the toys, and hand them over at the door. After the War it was business as usual; the Festival of Britain in 1951 brought a Grand Doll’s Salon as well as a vast model railway to hypnotise children of any age.

Below are links to what Hamleys consider the top Christmas Gifts, but by all means make up your own mind, click on the banner to walk through the doors of one of the greatest toy shops in the world.

	Top Gifts for Boys Gifts any boy would be happy to receive, from high tech to traditional. Dare you buy the Volcano Making Kit?

	Top Gifts for Girls Barbie, Hanna Montana, Sweet Peas Enchanted Fairy Tree and so much more just for girls. We particularly like the idea of a Bath Bomb Factory!

	Top Traditional Gifts Traditional gifts will always be popular with all children. None more so than a classic Steiff Teddy Bear.

	Top Games Games which don't need batteries and maybe test the mind rather than the reflexes. All the classics are here.

	Top Gifts for Little Ones Safe gifts for little ones which will thrill and delight. Elmo, Thomas the Tank Engine, soft toys and activity toys to enjoy and to entertain.