Why do people collect things? Do collections somehow define people? Does a collection determine value? How many things constitute a collection?
When I was a young girl, I never really collected anything. Well, nothing that I considered my
own "thing." My mom tried to get me into collecting Barbie dolls - she started the collection for me but our house burned down. I didn't really pick the collection back up. I collected them to play with them, but I wouldn't consider that a real collection.
In middle school, I had a friend who collected pencils and Troll dolls. In order to become more independent and find my own path, I started collecting pencils and Trolls too. I don't think those ever went too far. I was tired of dusting the dolls nappy hair. And honestly, I needed something to write with. Later on, I followed the example of one of my cousin's and started collecting Venetian masks and clowns. I don't know what prompted me, but I decided to start collecting frogs while I was in high school. Every frog I saw, I wanted. The frogs led into a Beanie Baby collection starting with the frogs then spreading from there. I also collected postcards, stamps, stickers, and coins. The collections stopped once everybody added to the masses of things with low quality pieces.
Question: Collect for consumption or collect to acquire/admire?
I realized that I was amassing too much stuff. I was growing up and I really wanted to simplify. I did what sentimental people dread doing - I got rid of things. I really had to assess what was really important to me and which pieces meant enough to me to keep.
Looking at family, I noticed that we all have our collections.
For my maternal grandparents, it was salt and pepper shaker sets.
One of my aunts collected cameos and candles.
Another aunt collects (or collected) butterflies.
My husband used to collect knives, old cameras, and found photos.
My mother-in-law has a Santa collection.
Ivy has "forced" collections. Bunnies... It really wasn't intentional. She seemed to prefer stuffed bunnies over other stuffed animals. Her other collection is from her Grandma. It's one of those yearly porcelain girls that commemorate each year of her life. It is currently my collection until Ivy is old enough to keep it herself. I wonder what she will find interesting enough to collect?
My current collections? Christmas ornaments (meaningful), salt and pepper shaker sets, owls, refrigerator magnets from places we have been, pressed pennies, and beach glass. I believe my collections now are manageable. They are small collections of special pieces and they are displayed.
Why do I think collections are important enough to dedicate an entire TCOY post on the subject? It may help if I answer my opening questions...
Why do people collect things? I cannot answer for other people. For me, I am currently collecting memories. "Oh, that shaker set? I remember admiring it at my grandparents house and I remember..."
Do collections somehow define people? Maybe yes, maybe no. My collections define me and reflect my randomness and sentimentality. My husband's knife collection in no was defines him as a homicidal murderer. Although, Stimpy collected boogers and we all know he was one gross cartoon cat of the 90s.
Does a collection determine value? Some people collect for monetary value, it'll be worth so etching when you're older. Some things evoke a valuable memory. Some collections are worn absolutely nothing at all.
How many things constitute a collection? I Have heard that the answer can Be as small as one piece. i collect owls. i only have one - I just haven't found any that suit my needs to purchase another (so not a true statement!). I will not purchase just to fit my collection, I look for the meaning or memory in the piece.
Where I am going with this, is that you should do something that you like to do and helps to possibly define you. People around you should understand certain aspects of you. If your loved ones know something about you and cherish you as they should, they take the time to help cultivate that in you. My husband knows I love strawberries and that I was starting to collect shaker sets. He gifted me that combo one day. He is also extremely patient and helpful with me in my pressed penny searches. Most recently, my girlfriends helped me collect beach glass.
Take Care of Yourself. If that means collecting something for value or for sentiment, so be it.
