Best children's books for Christmas - win over £200 worth of gorgeous gifts

A musical jewellery box with a ballerina inside who spun around to the music. It was filled with chocolate coins, it was so special, and I treasured it so much.

There wasn't much money but I still remember a large doll, who could stand on her feet, with long blonde hair and a blue velvet dress. I loved her immediately and named her Penelope Helen (I have no idea why!)

My best Christmas gift was when my mother had my favourite teddy bear renovated! He had back his eye and ear and came back sparkling. I loved him best of all the other toys I got.

A pair of roller skates. I never had them off my feet

I've always liked reading books. My aunt would buy me one or two Enid Blyton for Christmas. One year my parents bought me a Petite Typewriter, I loved it and thought I could write my own books. Never did, but I still have that little typewriter in its blue case

I will never forget getting a beautiful, maroon Silver Cross pram one Christmas. Oh and I always asked for books, books and more books!

i was mad about animals so about 7 years old my nan gave me a giant encyclopedia of all birds and animals. i was over the moon. still have it now. am now going to give to another 7 year old family member who also loves all animals and birds.

In the days when rationing still applied, and treats were rare, my great aunt used to save ingredients and make boxes of her most delicious Christmas fudge for us children. It was the best in the world. She would wrap everything up most beautifully and individually. I can still feel her love just thinking about it.

A spirograph used to spend hours filling sheets of paper with the different patterns then colour them all in. Think that's why I love those mandala and adult colouring books now.

Most of my Christmas gifts were made by my father, each year would be special. When I was one he built a pedal car then a doll's cot, a pram, clothes horse and ironing board. When I was five he made a desk and blackboard.
When I was ten my father bought me tools and told me I could make my own things in future.

A doll's house with space for a battery which made the lights come on.

Mine was a beautiful rocking horse made by my dad. I really loved it. Sadly I didn't get to enjoy it for very long My little cousin visited,played on it all afternoon,didn't want to be parted from it...........so dad gave it to her

No, he never made me another one!!

I can't remember any presents apart from a soft-limbed dolly and a longed for pair of ice skates. A local meadow used to flood and freeze every winter so they were put to good use. I skated up the frozen Oxford canal one year. We don't have such cold winters these days. I do remember wishing I could have my brother's Meccano set instead of the doll.

My teddy bear.

Christmas as a child in the 50s was truly a magical time. I didn't make lists and there were of course no catalogues such as Argos and no enormous toy stores like ToysRus, but somehow my parents always knew what I would most like to have for Christmas. I don't recall telling them but of course Father Christmas knew! We didn't have a car until I was in my early teens so we travelled a lot on buses. How I loved the big, red London buses, especially when I was allowed to go upstairs! Despite the fact that even as a child I wanted to be a primary school teacher, my heart's desire was to own a bus conductor's kit and I especially envied the conductresses with their grey uniform, peaked cap and above all their wondrous machine that clicked and whirred until it produced the tickets. I was fascinated by the brown, leather, satchel type bag that held the change and wondered at how they managed to keep their balance even when the bus swayed around corners. You can imagine the joy when at the age of 7, I discovered my very own bus conductor's set in my pillowcase early on Christmas morning. The dolls and teddies then had to travel to 'school' by bus, lining up nicely in their warmest clothes until I dispensed their tickets. When visitors came, they enthusiastically (!) bought their tickets and dutifully lined up ready to take the 52 bus from Plumstead Common to Woolwich. I played this game constantly until sadly the tickets ran out and we were not able to buy anymore. However, the little machine with its red strap remained in a cupboard until I went to College at the age of 18 and thought it was time to move on. How I wish now that I had kept it!

Mine was a life size doll that had a large ‘key’ that made the doll wriggle. She wore baby clothes and I remember her wearing a white trousers,coat and fur trimmed bonnet that had been mine. She was often mistaken for a real baby and my mum got many funny looks as I carried the baby! I still have the doll.

I had a little white enamel stove run on methylated spirits . I remember cooking some rice which stuck to the bottom of the saucepan
I was only 6. Can you imagine the health and safety issues now ?

I remember a toy typewriter as being my most treasured Christmas present. I wrote stories on it, copied newspaper articles, used reams of paper - hours and hours of fun!!

There are some lovely stories here! I ran down one Christmas morning to find a thin, scarred puppy cowering under the kitchen table. We lived in a pub and my dad took a drunk home on Christmas Eve. Seeing him kick out at his poor puppy he bought it off him for the price of a pint and brought him home. I can't even remember what other presents I got that year.

Mousetrap! I was thrilled when I unwrapped it but promptly fell ill with horrible influenza, ending up stuck in my downstairs bedroom listening to my older sister and her friends having a hilarious time playing it. Bitter sweet.

The favourite and the one I remember was a money box.. my brother and I had one each. They were made of tin with only one slot to insert the money. Sometimes we shake it to get some money out. I think in the end .....may be it was smashed...can't remember much!

Best present? A second hand typewriter when I was about ten, I loved writing stories on it!

My grandmother was a mother of 10 and had 19 grandchildren. One Christmas she had dressed a doll in a wedding dress and veil and placed it in a shoe box. That doll was very special and a lovely surprise.

I always loved playing with dolls and, unbeknown to me, my Dad had made a wooden wardrobe for their clothes. My Mum had filled this with a selection of dolls clothes, all of which she had sewn by hand. I can still remember the sense of surprise and delight when I opened it on Christmas morning.

A stiff petticoat with about three layers - I was about 13. How quaint that seems now. It was white with pink binding on the edge.