What’s collectible these days?Certainly not Avon bottles, Bradford Exchange plates, or Beanie Babies! These items are easily found at yard sales and flea markets. There’s hardly a hand up to bid at auctions — even when offered in lots at dirt cheap prices.
There was a time when it was popular to collect by theme. Typical subject matter included animals, fairies, wizards, and nautical items such as lighthouses. Not so much anymore.
With the flood of cheap goods from China having been brought into the US to target those markets in recent years, it’s hardly a challenge to come across common “themed” gift items, such as figurines, ornaments, and “collectible” boxes for display in the home.
Scented candles? Certainly popular, there’s a lot more out there besides Yankee — and they’re in every store at every price range.
Older generations collected and proudly showed off their treasures inside locked curio cabinets. What was “collectible” back then was hard-to-find and something to save your money for.
My grandmother had a wonderful passion for Waterford crystal. Displayed lovingly in her home were intricate bowls and cherished glassware. As children, we were told not to touch it. No longer in demand, I’ve come across boxes of Waterford crystal at auctions, loose and sometimes even unwrapped! You’re lucky to see an entire lot of it bring more than $10 now.
High-end collectibles of yesteryear like Hummels and Lladro Figurines are all over eBay. These can often be purchased today for less then the original cost. Has the ease in finding whatever your heart desires lessened the desire?
Younger generations want instant satisfaction. When a demand exists, items are made in quantity. And while these things may be cute and appealing, or feature a popular character or brand name (e.g., Coca-Cola), etc... They aren’t made with the same quality of years go. If it’s popular, you’ll find a lot of it.
Today’s world is a throw-away society. Once the trend is over or our interest has waned, it’s not worth keeping. Plus, lifestyles have changed. People today are super-busy and often on-the-run. Most of us don’t want the clutter in our homes. There’s no time to dust!
...
With the flood of cheap goods from China having been brought into the US to target those markets in recent years, it’s hardly a challenge to come across common “themed” gift items, such as figurines, ornaments, and “collectible” boxes for display in the home.
Scented candles? Certainly popular, there’s a lot more out there besides Yankee — and they’re in every store at every price range.
Older generations collected and proudly showed off their treasures inside locked curio cabinets. What was “collectible” back then was hard-to-find and something to save your money for.My grandmother had a wonderful passion for Waterford crystal. Displayed lovingly in her home were intricate bowls and cherished glassware. As children, we were told not to touch it. No longer in demand, I’ve come across boxes of Waterford crystal at auctions, loose and sometimes even unwrapped! You’re lucky to see an entire lot of it bring more than $10 now.
High-end collectibles of yesteryear like Hummels and Lladro Figurines are all over eBay. These can often be purchased today for less then the original cost. Has the ease in finding whatever your heart desires lessened the desire?
Younger generations want instant satisfaction. When a demand exists, items are made in quantity. And while these things may be cute and appealing, or feature a popular character or brand name (e.g., Coca-Cola), etc... They aren’t made with the same quality of years go. If it’s popular, you’ll find a lot of it.
Today’s world is a throw-away society. Once the trend is over or our interest has waned, it’s not worth keeping. Plus, lifestyles have changed. People today are super-busy and often on-the-run. Most of us don’t want the clutter in our homes. There’s no time to dust!
...
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