There were ancient "Annuals" in the UK.. I THINK I may have a playmobil one. Have a "Dempsey & Makepeace" one for sure 
It was a 'standard' Christmas present back when I were a lad to be given an annual. We had 'Blue Peter' Annuals each year. (Blue Peter is a wholesome BBC TV programme for children, which parents usually approve of. The first Blue Peter Annual came out in 1963, which is maybe what Tahra is referring to as 'ancient'!).
Nowadays there is a wide selection of albums available in time for the Christmas market, on every current children's theme imaginable- Moshlings, Sponge Bob, The Simpsons, Dr. Who, One Direction. Horrible Histories, etc. and now ...Playmobil!
