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PetiteCherie Profile
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Registered: 04-2013
Posts: 196
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Why do I keep buying Sylvanian Families toys???


I started buying Calico Critters/Sylvanian Families items for nearly a little bit more than a year now. I totally love their products and I bought many houses, families and furniture sets.

But I am often feeling guilty for doing so because it's a hobby after all. Most of them are still unboxed and I keep them for my baby daughter until she will be old enough to play with them. I actually play/display mostly the used items only But I love looking at them and setting up the houses.

As much as I tried to not spend, I always give in and buy new SF items. That's when I noticed a pattern in my spending. Every time a family member died, I started buying again. My reasons are simple: I don't want to die regretting not doing the things I like. I look at the people who died and tell myself that I don't have that many years to live anyway so why not live doing what I like instead of saving money? I can't take my money to my grave!

I know it's silly and not reasonable but there has been so many deaths in my families last year and this year (and more to come) that I just can't shake off that reasoning.

I am tempted to sell everything to cut loose from this toy addiction and set up an actual savings account that would benefit my children.

Do you have such a problem?
9/20/2013, 7:00 am Link to this post Send Email to PetiteCherie   Send PM to PetiteCherie Blog
 
Lisa Luna Profile
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Re: Why do I keep buying Sylvanian Families toys???


Yes!
I'm sorry to hear about all the recent deaths in your family, PetiteCherie, but I can completely relate to the buying and collecting as a reflex to emotional trauma.
I've always loved my Sylvanians, and although I had a fair few when young I always wanted more. I picked up a few here and there over the years, but it was a couple of years ago I started really collecting again. About five years ago I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety, although I think this dates back a lot longer. The last few years have been full of all sorts of traumatic events for me, which on top of depression have really weighed me down. Sylvanians are a light in the darkness, another, more ideal, fantasy world. I can control what happens in their world which can be very cathatic when real life feels out of control. I have plenty set up at home now, but I also have a lot of new sets I've bought still in boxes, and find the second hand ones tend to be the ones that get added to the displays. I spend hours browsing eBay, Trade Me, Rakuten and other sites which sell Sylvanians, and while I don't buy everything that takes my fancy I buy more than I should given my limited income. I sometimes feel guilty about all I spend, though I should probably feel more guilty about all the time I spend looking at them online. But they bring me pleasure, and they help get me through tough times. I try and keep them in good condition, so I can sell some or all of them on if or when I feel ready. I also tell myself it's far better to be addicted to collecting Sylvanians than it is to turn to drugs or alcohol, and I know there are others who get pleasure from my collection. I also know that if I wasn't buying them all the time that although I would be saving a bit more I wouldn't be saving all the money - most of it would disappear elsewhere. PetiteCherie, I think as long as you are not hurting anyone, or going into debt, then Sylvanians is a perfectly legitimate way to get through life, or just the tough parts.
9/20/2013, 8:03 pm Link to this post Send Email to Lisa Luna   Send PM to Lisa Luna Blog
 
Asticat Profile
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Re: Why do I keep buying Sylvanian Families toys???


My reasons for collecting are similar I guess - Takes me to a happy place !! Nothing bad happend here.

I tend to go through surges of buying depending on how things are going in life, and I think because they remind of the good times in my childhood I am comforted by them.

I have great ideas of villages I would like to build and stories I would like to tell but so far my collection just sits - but I am getting closer to at least displaying it.

I went totally crazy buying so much when I first started collecting but now have a budget and pretty much stick to that. I do have a huge wish list however and spend alot of time browsing the web (which I really must stop doing as I keep seeing new things I want).

I did read a tip from someone here (sorry can not remember who) and they said to be patient with purchases - and this is so true. I wait for something I want to be available in NZ, and then decide I need it now and buy off ebay or some other website, and then as Murphy's Law would have it, it will become available on our local trade site at a cheaper price a week or so after I have bought it. Sadly patience has never been one of my virtues and it is definately something I have to work on!!

My husband thinks I am crazy as he does not understand the need to collect anything - he is definately a minimalist, but then he does not understand why I would do quilting either (after all why cut up a perfectly good piece of fabric and sew it back together again !)

Now my spending sprees are under control it is a pretty harmless hobby - probably safer than my other addiction which is L&P flavoured chocolate (a new type of chocolate in NZ - white chocolate flavoured with a local lemon and Paeroa drink - with pop rocks in it). Now this one is a BAD habit !!
9/21/2013, 12:51 am Link to this post Send Email to Asticat   Send PM to Asticat Blog
 
PetiteCherie Profile
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Re: Why do I keep buying Sylvanian Families toys???


Thank you Lisa Luna and Asticat for sharing your experience and your advice! I have actually applied the "patience" method and stopped buying from oversea. Budgeting is the hard part. I can't go by a want list because there are too many items I want LOL but it's good to have to set priority on what I want first.

@Lisa Luna: I am sorry to hear about your story! I hope you can overcome your depression! SF are indeed my happy place and it's something I have control of (well almost sine I live in a hurricane/tornado/flood prone area so I know I could loose easily everything I have).

I think the hunt for items is also a fun part of collecting as long as there is a budget in place. Nobody that I know has the same hobby as me but then again, they are obsessed with other things like video games, clothes, shoes, etc.

@Asticat: chocolate is apparently good for your health... in moderation emoticon
9/21/2013, 5:24 am Link to this post Send Email to PetiteCherie   Send PM to PetiteCherie Blog
 
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Registered: 07-2012
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Re: Why do I keep buying Sylvanian Families toys???


I buy Sylvanians, when they arrive the get the into-the-box-and-clothes-off routine,
I guess I'm trying to preserve things.
As long as you don't spend 1K a week, or end up doing nothing but SF you're fine emoticon
9/21/2013, 5:27 am Link to this post Send Email to Whirlwindsparkle   Send PM to Whirlwindsparkle
 
lostmymarblz Profile
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Registered: 03-2007
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Re: Why do I keep buying Sylvanian Families toys???


Sadly, I collected as a way of escaping the pain of life too, and ended up spending thousands of dollars amassing a huge collection. On many levels, I regret spending all that time, money and effort doing it.

Instead collecting toys, I could have been dealing with my pain, depression and other issues in less financially destructive ways. Such as, I could have begun exercising daily, learning to cook and eat more nutritious food, volunteering in my community, spending more time with family and friends, and so many other things that I have begun doing now.

It's never too late to begin to get healthy emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially. Just take it a day at a time, or when things are really bad, a moment at a time. It will all work out in the end. Just keep moving forward emoticon






---
~Beverly




9/21/2013, 6:37 am Link to this post Send Email to lostmymarblz   Send PM to lostmymarblz
 
sylvanako Profile
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Registered: 08-2013
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Re: Why do I keep buying Sylvanian Families toys???


As a new member of this forum I can't help feeling a little heartbroken with everyone's words about sylvanian collecting.I think we should all feel the joy and not have second thoughts. And Beverly, I don't think you should regret your time and effort. Your "sylvanian period" was very very creative for you and very inspiring for most of us!

---
Sylvanako's photostream on Flickr
9/21/2013, 9:25 am Link to this post Send Email to sylvanako   Send PM to sylvanako Blog
 
PetiteCherie Profile
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Re: Why do I keep buying Sylvanian Families toys???


Thank you all for you input.

@Beverly: I don't think you should regret. You did make a difference in other people's live. you made me dream and enjoy your collection quite a lot. SF was a creative output for you and many people need to show their creativity in some ways.

I think it's also a hobby that is not as harmful as many others but it's if you take in account your money wisely. I do enjoy still my collection but I just need to reign it in a bit!

But I totally agree on focusing most importantly on health and family! I am trying to work out a schedule with my hubby right now so we can both enjoy our ME time at least once a week. That way we will both feel less guilty about neglecting our family but have time to enjoy what we like to do too.
9/21/2013, 1:04 pm Link to this post Send Email to PetiteCherie   Send PM to PetiteCherie Blog
 
DeafCandy Profile
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Re: Why do I keep buying Sylvanian Families toys???


Sylvanko, I know what you mean.

I'm a long-time collector and I collect because I enjoy Sylvanian Families and Calico Critters. Simple.

I have not let them take over my life. I buy when I can and sparingly. My collection may seem big now but it took me 27 years to get that many. Slow and steady that I am and no regrets. I have not used a credit card to buy SF/CC in the last 5 years, because I don't have one. All are bought with cash or received as gifts or obtained through trades.

In the past five years that I'm a member of this board, I've seen many collectors come and go. Some are short-term collectors and some are long. Some must have them all, some just want a certain type of animals like just rabbits or cats or dogs. Some hunt for rare items. Some like to buy just the current range. All come from different walks of life and are very interesting people. That's why I like coming here. emoticon

Don't worry, PetiteCherie, you'll be alright. emoticon


 

 

---
~ Candy ~

Visit my site at:
http://deafcandy.webs.com/
9/22/2013, 5:08 pm Link to this post Send Email to DeafCandy   Send PM to DeafCandy
 
PetiteCherie Profile
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Re: Why do I keep buying Sylvanian Families toys???


Thank you Candy for your reassuring words emoticon
9/23/2013, 6:09 am Link to this post Send Email to PetiteCherie   Send PM to PetiteCherie Blog
 


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