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-   -   Who remembers Punkinhead? (https://www.fodors.com/community/canada/who-remembers-punkinhead-818038/)

kodi Dec 17th, 2009 07:18 AM

Who remembers Punkinhead?
 
I'm thinking of Christmas past and fondly remember Punkinhead. Does anyone else remember this lovable bear?

kodi Dec 17th, 2009 09:52 AM

This would only mean something to Canadians. Ithought I put the Canada forum

LoveItaly Dec 17th, 2009 09:53 AM

Hi kodi, I don't but that is what I was called when I was a toddler.

goddesstogo Dec 17th, 2009 09:56 AM

I do! And I remember how beautiful the Toyland at Eatons or Simpsons used to be. When you got off the train ride, they gave you a toy and a Pumpkinhead book!

laverendrye Dec 17th, 2009 10:42 AM

"they gave you a toy and a Pumpkinhead book!"

Only at Eaton's. Simpson's was strictly Rudolph territory!

goddesstogo Dec 17th, 2009 10:44 AM

Now every inch of floorspace is used for sales, except for the Santa chair.

kodi Dec 17th, 2009 12:01 PM

Ahhh, Goddess, I knew you wouldn't let me down! Punkinhead is such a warm fuzzy memory for me.I'd hate to think I'm the only one to remember him.

I loved toyland and my parents would take me to Eatons and Simpson's. They told me Santa would take turns at each store.
And the wonderful windows in both stores. I miss them.

Love, no wonder you clicked on this thread.. what a great nickname.

Our Punkinhead was an adorable bear.

kumonee Dec 17th, 2009 12:04 PM

In the states its a Horror movie

Morningglory47 Dec 17th, 2009 12:34 PM

I remember Punkinhead! I worked on the 5th floor of the old Eaton's in Toyland (Simpsons called it Toytown) at Christmas, often my job was picking kids up to fish in the pond for prizes. I never got to work on the train.

I was in the Eaton Centre last night and they only have Santa there weekends now...they don't even have Santa's Castle! I guess it's different in the suburban malls though.

I was thinking while I looked for Santa last night how Santa, this was in the '60s, would always leave early to get ready for Christmas Eve duties - he left the floor about 2:30 on the 24th.

A father who had planned for his kiddies to see Santa at the last minute came in about 3 or 3:30 and you could see the terror in his eyes when we told him that Santa was gone - we sent him to Simpsons but were pretty sure old Claus had left there early, too. I wouldn't have wanted to explain to those kids why they wouldn't be able to tell Santa what they wanted.

zelphiacat Dec 17th, 2009 12:41 PM

I remember my brother calling me Punkinhead...but not in a good way.

kodi Dec 17th, 2009 05:51 PM

kumonee, googled punkinhead to find out when he was created, and saw the website talking about the horror film. Too bad they called it punkinhead when our punkinhead is such a cute little bear.

Z are you sure it wasn't in a good way????

zelphiacat Dec 17th, 2009 05:52 PM

If you consider "Plastic-lips" a good way... (think first time lipstick), kodi...lol

goddesstogo Dec 17th, 2009 05:57 PM

Even in the malls, the big Santa set-up is mostly for the business of picture taking.

Morningglory47 Dec 17th, 2009 07:24 PM

If you google "Eaton's Punkinhead", you'll find him ... http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/englis...unkinhead.aspx and items for sale on ebay.

kodi Dec 17th, 2009 08:00 PM

He's so cute. I work with a woman who still has little Punkinhead plates from when she was a little girl.

Goddess, yes, it'a all about money now. Excited kids all lined up and they get up there, finally, ... are told to smile, has a quick few moments with Santa, and on to the next child.
And Santa sure doesn't look like he used to, when he's working a mall.

kodi Dec 19th, 2009 06:51 PM

oh boy, oh boy! I'm just watching a TV broadcast of the Toronto parade, and guess what? PUNKINHEAD is back !!!

Sears has introduced and sponsored him, stating that he was an important part of the history of the parada.
He's back !!!

LoveItaly Dec 19th, 2009 08:22 PM

Ah, Punkinhead is adorable! But I notice he was introduced in 1948. Was there another Punkinhead before 1948 or was that just a term that was used, kodi? I ask because as you know I was born before 1948..and I was called Punkinhead, lol. Maybe other parents called their little ones Punkinhead and thus the name for the bear? I am curious.

kodi Dec 20th, 2009 07:12 AM

Hi Love, as far as I know, Punkinhead was introduced in 1948 and he was the original. Eatons, was our large department store, and they are the ones that sponsored our big parade every year. Unfortunately , both are gone.
I think it's great that Sears has picked up on how historical he is, and has reintroduced him this year.

So good to see him after just talking about him.

trickiewoo Dec 20th, 2009 07:45 AM

There's a lovable but irritating character called Jack Pumpkinhead in Return to Oz, the little known Disney sequel to The Wizard of Oz.

goodk1 Jan 4th, 2010 12:43 PM

My mother saved all my childhood treasures - as I was an only child, it wasn't all that big a collection. Punkinhead is now downstairs carefully wrapped up, along with Betsy Wetsy and a few less notable old toys. He's a little the worse for wear, but who isn't after 50 odd years?


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