Here’s a couple of great gift ideas for any 1:6 scale action figure; an absolutely “radical” longboard ($8) available from techdeck.com, and a solid rubber soccer ball ($1), found in most party and dollar stores. (Photo: Mark Otnes)
Great over the shoulder style bag, complete with 3 golf clubs (pens) would look cool on any “Golfin’ Joe.” Click to enlarge. (Photo: Amazon)
Let’s face it, your Joe is probably as clueless as you are when it comes to buying presents for his family…
And Barbie’s no help either. She thinks of her hunky, action hero husband as a “take charge” kind of guy who can handle any sort of situation—even the family gift shopping. So with a flip of her platinum-blond hair, she’ll glance over her shoulder, smile at Joe and declare, “You handle it please, dear. I’m taking another bubble-bath.”
“Hmph!” your Joe would surely retort. “AGAIN with the bubble-baths?” Oh well, while women may be hard to figure out, there’s one thing your 12″ fighting man knows for sure: if there’s nothing under the tree for Joe Junior to open on Christmas morning, there’ll be no visits to Barbie’s dream bedroom—for quite a while.
TIP: This year, don’t wait until the last minute.
If your Joe is like most men, he probably avoids going shopping like the plague, and will be waiting until Christmas Eve before making a last-minute dash to the mall on a frantic search for gifts. Fortunately for him (and you!), the staff here at The Joe Report put their heads together and came up with some really great gift ideas for this holiday season. For example…
Joe can’t believe the Tech Deck longboard’s realistic metal axles, rotating wheels and sandpaper-textured finish, just like the 1:1 versions! Click to enlarge.
(Photo: Mark Otnes)
1:6 Scale Skateboards
You’ve probably walked right by these little beauties dozens of times. They’re widely available in Walmart, Meijer and Toys ‘R Us and range from about $5 to $10, depending on the store and time of year. We recommend you take a moment to really look at the new line of Tech Deck “longboards.” These 1:6 scale skateboards are the most suited for use with GIjOE and are available in 10 different trim versions. Hang Ten!
This is about as top of the line as you’ll ever find. Joe may never come home from the course! Click to enlarge. (Photo: Paradise Pen)
1:6 Scale Golf Clubs and Golf Bags
These are sharp! How about getting your Joe a new set of golf clubs (pens) in a nice, miniature leather golf bag? These are now widely available on the ‘net. Simply google “golf bag pen holder” and watch all the entries come up. We found prices ranging from about $12 to $25, depending on the style and whether or not the 3 pens were included.
They’re available in many sizes, colors and materials, so take your time looking around. Some versions we found even come with the little attached handcart, with flip-out tires and a pole handle to help Joe wheel it around his 1:6 scale golf course (in your IMAGINATION).
We especially like the versions offered by Paradise Pen (see photo at right). Next time Barbie decides to have the girls over for one of their lengthy hair-styling sessions, you know it’ll be time to…Hit the links, Joe! FORE!
Joe practices his swing with his new set of 1:6 scale golf clubs. (Photo and diorama: G.I.Jay)
Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments
It may surprise you, but many of those famous Hallmark Keepsake ornaments work equally well in 1:6 scale dioramas. Simply remove their hanging eyelets and you can set them up around your Joe’s Christmas tree. How fun would that be? Here are some of the most likely candidates…
The Willys Jeep is now available as a beautiful, miniature ornament. Simply remove the hanging eyelet, put it under your 1:6 scale Christmas tree, and “Junior’s” got his own 5-Star! (Photo: Hallmark)
Click to enlarge.(Photo: Hallmark)
1943 Ford GP Willys Jeep Ornament
This is a no-brainer! Hallmark did an amazing job on this Jeep ornament. You’ve GOT to get one of these for little Joe Junior. What a mini-motoring masterpiece. $15 from Hallmark HERE.
Mr. Staypuff Ornament
Who doesn’t love Mr. Staypuff? He’s adorable and always has that “Happy Holidays” look about him. Plus, iconic advertising figures like this always make good diorama fodder. $17.95 HERE.
Click to enlarge.
(Photo: Hallmark)
John Deere Riding Mower Ornament
Another great prop that would look good in any 1:6 scale Christmas diorama. We’re not sure of its exact size, but Junior would surely love to play with this! $14.95 HERE.
Click to enlarge.
(Photo: Hallmark)
Lionel Train Set 3-piece Ornament
The cool thing about this Lionel train set ornament is that you get all THREE of them for one money, the engine, caboose and box car. Take a look at the closeup photo. You won’t believe how detailed these little guys are. Set ‘em all up like they’re going around the tree and Junior Joe will go bonkers on Christmas morning! $19.95 HERE.
Joe is stunned that this new “Corn Popper” keepsake ornament from Hallmark is in perfect 1:6 scale and actually pops like the Fischer-Price original. “Dang! Li’l Junior Joe will love this m’shizzle!” (Photo: Hallmark)
Fisher-Price Corn Popper Ornament
This is a childhood classic. Most of us pushed these around the house as toddlers, listening to the “pop, pop, pop” sound of the little plastic balls. What fun! Now Joe can give one to his little Joe. And get this…IT REALLY WORKS! Just like the original, 1:1 scale version. $12.95 HERE.
Click to enlarge.
(Photo: Hallmark)
Cessna Skyhawk Airplane Ornament
This sharp Cessna Skyhawk ornament will remind you of those bygone days when your Dad put one of those big ol’ gas-powered Cox airplanes under the tree. Remember? Kids came from all around the neighborhood to watch you fly that thing, round and round on Christmas morning. $14.95 HERE.
1936 Ford Fire Engine Ornament
Click to enlarge. (Photo: Hallmark)
Big red firetrucks are one the most iconic Christmas gifts ever. This highly detailed beauty would look great in your “toy pile” diorama and really get the eyes to watering. $14.95 HERE .
Click to enlarge.
(Photo: Hallmark)
Fisher-Price Two-Tune TV Ornament
Another American classic toy. This would look great in your diorama sitting right next to that Fisher-Price corn popper ornament. And yes, it has a little sound chip in it that plays the same music you remember from the original. Isn’t technology cool? $17.95 HERE.
Click to enlarge.
(Photo: Hallmark)
Student Teacher Barbie Ornament
Of course, Joe has to pick up a gift for Barbie too. But instead of the usual diamond rings he always buys her, why not get a nifty miniature replica of her, looking just like she did before they were married and she was still, as they say, “mint-in-the-box?” <chortle> $19.95 HERE.
(Photo: Bryan Tatum)
Hobby Lobby “A Tree for Me” Miniature Tools
Ace Field Reporter, Bryan Tatum, wrote in recently to share some intel about a new set of inexpensive 1:6 scale tools he found over at Hobby Lobby. Sure, you can spend $100 or more on those miniature museum pieces put out by ZC and sold by Cotswold Collectibles HERE, but if you’re on a tighter budget (and who isn’t these days?) you may want to check out these new ones over at Hobby Lobby. According to Bryan…
“Bob The Woodsman loves The Joe Report! I wanted to tell you about my newest purchase from Hobby Lobby. I can always use new tools, so I was very excited to see these. You get 2 nice wrenches, a hammer and saw (though the saw is a tad on the small side) and a nice new corded drill. They’re 50% off this week. For you city folks, that means this entire set was only $2.50.”
Editor’s note: Wow! Sweet deal, Bryan. Thanks for sharing the information and photos!
Bob the Woodsman is diggin’ his new drill from Hobby Lobby.
(Photo: Bryan Tatum)
Bob has no trouble holding THESE tools, either. Get it? HA (Photo: Bryan Tatum)
Sears Craftsman Miniature Tools
Finally, thanks to Eagle-Eyed Reporter, Christopher88 who gave us a heads up on these cool tools over at Sears. According to his intel…
“Thought this might be interesting for the vehicle guys and some crossover AT application here. The lawnmower and toolbox might be smallish, but the engine in the lawnmower might be salvageable for something else. The chainsaw looks very detailed and approximately 1/6th scale. Looks like they are priced at $9.99. For those near a Sears, might be worth a look.”
Sharp looking miniature tools from Sears in a variety of scales. (Photo: christopher88)
Bottom Line: “Oh, alright,” your Joe grumbles, grabbing the keys to his 5-star Jeep. “I’ll be back in about an hour. I guess. With SOMETHING!” Barbie giggles back, “Okay, hon. You do that. After my tub, I’ll be trying on disco dresses for 4 hours.”
Poor Joe. Oh well, some of these gift ideas are available all year round. Others, like the Hallmark ornaments are seasonal and only available for a short time. We say, if Joe really wants something, he should get it now. But keep in mind, after Christmas, all remaining stock is typically cleared out at half-price or LESS. So, if you can get Joe to go out shopping AGAIN, he may be able to pick up some great deals. Happy Hunting!
