Are dolls like family or like toys?

I had to detach myself from becoming obsessed. I neglect basic duties when I fall into something. Thus the self-forced hiatus from this hobby...but I have quite a few that's on its way.

 

For me, I would say somewhere in between? I don't see Eris as a toy, but I'm also aware she isn't a living breathing creature. I do have a tendency to get attached, and I definitely believe they have souls, just like I do my some of my stuffies. (I have had some creepy things happen with a plush wolf I have that leaves me no doubt he comes alive at night. I know that sounds absolutely crazy, but crazy things have happened.)

 

They're toys, but super special toys because I have put so much more work and emotion into them than any other toys. I have chosen sculpts, wigs, eyes, clothes, done faceups, written backstories, given them names and personalities. I feel about them as some would a very loved character from a movie or book. However, they're not family or friends. They may hold a lot of sentimental value, but they're not living beings, and they don't replace living beings in my life.

 

Dolls are definately not like toys. You find confort in them, you feel like you arent alone. You can talk to them without being judged or hated. Plus they wouldnt wait their turn to talk so they wouldnt nod their head positively without listening to you and ignoring you, wiaiting for their turn. Dolls are like best friends and better and thats my own personal belief.

 

Dolls are toys. They're toys for adults, to be sure, but personally I can't ever see them as "family". Nothing inanimate can be "family" in my opinion.

 

I can´t think of dolls like common toys, but they´re not as close as a family. I am talking ´bout other collector dolls, because I don´t own any BJDs yet. I have dolls that are really special for me, because of their origin or because they were with me in some important days. I feel like my dolls can´t be toys, because thanks to them, I met so many people, I improved some of my abilities... They even supported me in some way.
They´re definitely not family, but I like to think they are like friends.

 

I think they're somewhere in between for me. They're definitely not family members or friends because they're dolls. They don't breathe or eat or do anything that would constitute life. That being said, they're also not a barbie doll to be played with and tossed aside to collect dust.
I kind of consider them art pieces. Unlike a painting or a sculpture, they're very fluid. They have potential to change and evolve and I like that a lot.

 

Neither. They are pieces in a doll collection. I love my collection but not like I love a pet or my husband. My cats and husband are my family. I love my dolls like I love my laptop, they are objects. Non living.They are not toys however, at least not children's toys. I don't see them as any different than the expensive extremely detailed figures my husband likes. Those are his 'dolls'.

 

Some are family, others just ideas for characters

 

I would say closer to family than toys. Some are just dolls I collect, but some others are more important to me. Some dolls speak to me more than others. I also look at them as mini works of art.

 

At the moment, I'm living alone halfway across the world from my actual family... so my dolls do feel like family to me, in a way. I get excited to come home to them and interact with them, and I get comfort from physical contact with them in the absence of the people I love. On the other hand, like a lot of people have said, I realize they're not alive. They can't replace my real relationships for sure, but right now I can't see letting any of them go even if I feel like I've grown out of one or two of them. (Then again, I've always been irrationally attached to my toys... so maybe it's not just the dolls.)

 

I think that 'toy' is too weak a word, and 'family' is too strong a word. I think of them as somewhere between a hobby and a comfort blanket....and this is clearly a complicated question if that's the best I can come up with!

I'll leave it at that for now, but will definitely return to the question at a later stage.

 

I'm blessed to have a family that doesn't mind the things I like. To me a doll is a doll. It doesn't have a soul and it is not a living being. No matter how much I really love my dolls, my real family will always be put before them.

I do know that if something means a lot to you, then it simply is not just a "toy". But dolls are way closer to being a toy than family.

 

I really care a lot about my dolls, but they're more like favorite playthings to me.

 

I actually have to hide my dolls from my family members because they think it is a waste of money so I keep them at my office. I feel that they are a part of who I am and it makes me so happy to see them in front of me all day. It makes me so much more productive

 

They're just toys/tools to me. They're fun, but I don't have an emotional connection. I like to practice faceups, and make clothing. But I don't make characters for them, or give them personalities.

 

It's more like doll things are an entire universe of their own, my family's negative comments don't have any affect on whether I like them or not and neither do they show interest in my doll things. My mom would basically never let me spend my money on a doll and I don't realize why since I can manage my money well and seldom buy anything new. I have forbid my family from getting me a scooter, a car or a driver's license in order to save for future and for something I really want, so I expected a little more respect when I finally find something I want to spend my money on. Maybe that's the reason tho - they're not used to me spending money so they're frightened I've lost my mind or something. Like, I don't need a driver's license right now - I have managed well without it until today so why would an urge to get one suddenly emerge? Just let me have my doll and calm yourselves.

 

For me they are like pets. I don't have dogs, cats, etc. I feel a similar affection for my BJDs as a lot people feel for their animals.

 

My dolls are part of my collecting hobby, but they all have their own 'soul' so I guess you could say they are apart of my materialistic family, like my plush toys, or collectible figures.

 

It's quite sad that they hate your dolls. I know my parents aren't into dolls and don't understand my hobby, but they wouldn't tell me to sell them. My father is actually quite supportive and often lend me the tools to mod them.

I'd say my dolls are like friends. I often feel bad if I don't even look at them for a while.
When I got my first doll I even used to watch movies with her (even before she got a body). When she's beside me I always feel like she's trying to tell me something, I also talk to her at times. It's odd but my other dolls don't give me the same feeling.