Unwrapping Memories: GI Joe Christmas Hauls 1982-1994 Revealed! Join the Festive Countdown as I Rank the Best to Greatest Toys.
Story by Mitchell Smith
Welcome to the Outpost. Wow December is upon us. Can I finally listen to Christmas music without being shamed LOL? This month I’m taking a look at my best Christmas G.I. Joe hauls from 1982 – 1994 ranking my personal Christmas hauls from not the best to the greatest ever. So I think my least favorite year for Joe hauls was 1983. I had received a lot of cool 82 stuff and although there were several new figures and vehicles none made their way under the tree. I think the Falcon and Viper glider would have been really cool gifts along with Airborne, Gung-Ho, and the original 16 in the new swivel arm action.
I’m just imagining 8 year old me opening up the whole line. Next up for me would be 1984. Another dismal year for Joes under the tree, but I realize now things were tight back then and the average cost for Joes was about double up in the sticks, so as an adult I understand the decisions my parents had to make. Once again I imagine myself being showered with Joes and opening up Spirit, Mutt, and Firefly and a Stinger, Slugger, and the all might W.H.A.L.E.! This was a very cool year and although I did get a few figures between birthdays and stuff my brothers got Christmas proved to be disappointing as far as Joes go, but thinking back I think it was a pretty good year overall.
Last for this week will be 1991. This was a sad yet exciting time of life for me. It was the first time in several years I would not receive Joes for Christmas. Not that I missed them at the time as I was now in high school and was chasing sports, girls, and good old fashioned bon fire parties out in the middle of the woods. Although I had “outgrown” GI Joe at this point I still loved the heart and ingenuity that went into GI Joe figures and vehicles. This is the reason I started collecting Joes to begin with. 91 would have been a fun year to be getting Big Ben, Skymate, and Sci-Fi. Although the vehicles were starting to decline at this point, the Air Commandos, Battle Copters, and the Badger were all still solid vehicles. I think anyone who got stuff this year was probably one happy kid. Although these are my 3 most unfavorable years I’m sure they were amazing for many kids around the world. What is your favorite from these 3 years? Check back next week for my next 3 favorite Joe Christmas Hauls.
