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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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.

In the states its a Horror movie

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.

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

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????

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

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

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.

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.

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 !!!

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.

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.

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

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?