I just said this in another comment last week, but I remember when I stopped asking for toys for Christmas each year and I started asking for tools. I still have many of them and use them to this day. I think having a good set is great even if you don't use them to the fullest extent. I always think I like to do stuff myself, but then after the fact I am always very critical of the work I did.
I wonder when presents changed from learning tools to pure entertainment. Kids would get a doll, car or a bear or something, but then had to make up stories from there. Nowadays, the presents are rarely things that inspire imagination, nor are the the kinds of things the kid will keep or be interested in for long.
It's all flashing lights and loud noises!
I never got any of that as a kid.
No, I didn't so much either.