There’s a quiet shift happening this Christmas and, no surprise here, in our opinion it’s a beautiful one. More and more people are turning away from the throwaway rush of mass-produced presents and choosing something far richer. They’re choosing gifts with history, heart, and real sentiment.
Yes, we’re pleased to report a pre-loved Christmas is on the rise. Parents are hunting down childhood classics. Partners are restoring forgotten treasures. Families are choosing items that spark memories instead of clutter.
And at the centre of this movement are the skilled hands of people like Conrad from For Your Den, a passionate toy restorer with a love for trains and Star Wars.
This year, he has had a major uptick in people sending their toys to him to be fixed and given as gifts.
Conrad’s workshop has been buzzing with an incredible rise in customers sending toys to be repaired and gifted.
And the reason is simple: people are craving meaning again.
Conrad told us he’s seen a huge wave of nostalgia, saying: “More and more people want toys from their childhood repaired so they can pass those memories on. It’s been amazing to see.”
So we asked him: What’s been coming across your workbench lately?
Conrad:
“Well, early ’90s toys are definitely having a moment. I’ve restored all sorts recently – gaming consoles, an Omnibot, and even the iconic ‘Dream Phone’ board game. They’ve all been challenging repairs but also so much fun to work on.”
“But amongst the retro gaming gear and beloved robotics, two repairs have stood out, both from the same customer.”
Customer Andy discovered Conrad through We Are Repairs while searching for a skilled toy repairer who truly understands the art of toy restoration.
Conrad:
“Andy and his partner are real champions of restoration. They fill their home with second-hand treasures, so when Andy decided to build a railway setup in his office, he started sourcing old trains from car boots and charity shops. One particular N-Gauge locomotive was completely stuck. It was a tricky little piece of engineering. I took it apart, gave it a full MOT, and brought it back to life, so it was running smoothly again.”
But that wasn’t the end of the story.
When Andy collected the revived locomotive, he handed Conrad something even more meaningful.
Let’s speak to customer Andy to find out more…
Andy, you were so pleased to find Conrad, you gave him a second special project. Can you tell us a little bit more about it please?
Andy:
“Yes, when I picked up the Locomotive (which as brilliantly brought back to life by the way) I dropped off a toy farmyard tractor from my childhood. Well it was actually my brothers but it had been in my possession since the 1980’s. It had been in the loft for a while and really needed some attention. I am so thrilled with the work he has done on it, I’m planning on giving it back to my brother this Christmas which I’m so looking forward to.“
A childhood tractor with a Christmas Destiny
This is what a pre-loved Christmas is all about. It’s not about grabbing the newest gadget. It’s not about racing through crowded aisles. It’s about choosing gifts that honour who we were, who we are, and the moments that shaped us.
It’s about passing down stories, not stuff. It’s about sharing nostalgia, not landfill.
It’s about supporting skilled toy repairers like Conrad. People who pour care, craftsmanship, and soul into keeping our treasured items alive.
And honestly?
There’s something beautifully rebellious about choosing repair over replace at Christmas. A quiet stand against disposable culture. A celebration of memory, craft, and connection.
If you’ve got a nostalgic toy you’d love restored – a console, a tractor, a childhood classic, you can find Conrad’s profile and get in touch here:
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