Box Openings - why do we have them?

Box openings can be fun, educational, entertaining and creative. I enjoy looking at them. I have done my own box photos but rarely put them up except at my LJ. However, i've seen some really creative means of presenting a doll and it just shows how inspiring the dolls can be as well as how talented many of these owners can be.

Besides, it's a great way to see dolls I'd never see in person while not all made up or dressed or modded.

 

I agree that watching a BJD box opening is fun as you are sharing with the owner's excitement to hold and see the doll in person for the first time.

I have taken box opening pictures in the past because I like to remember exactly the way the doll was and the box looked from the factory.... I think I will always do box opening pics, and maybe my "big deal doll" will have a video.... we will see....

 

It's just fun for me I love them

 

I had my closest friend to come to my first (and only, lol) box opening, and for some reason, it felt... reassuring? It was strange. But I really do enjoy watching others' openings. ^_^

 

I took a video of my box opening since it captures every second of the moment and it's always nice to look back after a few years and see how it all begun.

But hey, I also made a box opening video when I received my second graphics tablet. XDD

 

I don't do box openings either, I don't feel the need to share the "opening" with other people. I'd rather share what I do with the doll with others instead. However, I totally understand why people have them because you're first doll is extremely exciting. Not to mention waiting for several months for your first doll is stressful. Once you get the doll you want everyone to know how happy you are to start or add to your collection.

 

Eh, I have to admit that one reason I do box openings is that it feels like "the done thing". There's also an element of excitement and a desire to share, especially with waiting room threads.

I also love looking at box openings because they're useful to see how dolls arrive, and what to expect. I'm a fan of Bobobie and Resin Soul dolls, and we all know that neither company can photograph their dolls worth a damn. So box-opening pics are really useful in that respect.

 

And then I wondered: why do we do this? Who started it?

I don't know who exactly started it, but it's a brilliant idea, I think. Maybe it was just someone who got their doll and posted photos because they were just so excited and people kept telling them to post photos??? Maybe getting a doll is not as big a deal nowadays? Or to some people?

1) Have you created a box opening video or taken pictures as you opened the box?
--If yes, why did you do it?
Yes, I have. I like documenting things and I like sharing information.
I like knowing how dolls are packed. There are so many different methods. And it's just interesting to know--And informative if you worry about how your particular doll might survive the shipping!
I like seeing how dolls look right out of the box--with and without faceups. You get a better idea than professional company photos. Even if the Box Opening shots are poorly lit and taken with cell phones!
I figure that if I like seeing these things--then others might, too, and it's only right to share.

I would guess that some people just like the excitement of seeing a doll arrive, too, whether it's their doll or not. It's kinda fun to see...

--If no, why not?
I sometimes do not do Box Openings--
If I'm in a hurry.
If the doll is second-hand and the packing isn't a big deal---
Or if I'd rather get the doll sorted out and put together before taking photos.
If the doll has been shown a ton of times already.
If there doesn't seem to be interest in that particular doll for whatever reason (like the one above).


2) Why do you think we do it?
For all the reasons above and more.
It's informative.
You get to see owner photos of dolls that are more "real life" rather than a few special set-up photos.
You get to see packing.
You get to see if there are problems with certain dolls--breaking or bad packing.
You get to experience getting a new doll vicariously.

 

I've done box openings photos for all my dolls. xD I thought everyone did one when I first got into the hobby. That and it's like... OMG I WAITED SO LONG, SAVOR MOMENT, NOW. Though my dolls have been increasingly shorter waits, so I guess that isn't as big as it used to be (my first was two months, the other two weren't even close to ever one month). And I think it's very exciting to open a doll for the first time since so much of this hobby is done with mail order. No matter how accurate the photos are, things feel different once they're touch-able and you can see every angle and play with them.

I look at way more box opening threads than gallery threads! I'm not sure why. I guess it's like opening presents. xD It's just fun to watch people open presents and open your own presents. I also like seeing blank dolls. Some dolls are so pretty even without anything but themselves!

 

Tee hee! I've totally taken pictures!!! I would have to say we do it because, well, first off it's fun and gives a reason to have a mini party with friends, and also, it's like opening a present of the long awaited Doll! It's always exciting to get something new.

 

As someone who is new to BJDs and is having considerable difficulty making up my mind about what to get for my first doll, I actually really appreciate box openings. It can be hard, as someone who has never really encountered a doll before other than the pretty finished pictures of complete dolls on the websites to get a sense of what to expect when in fact what will arrive may be completely different in appearance. Box openings enable me to both get an education and a bit of a vicarious thrill at the same time.

That said, I am very doubtful I would have the patience to document a box opening myself- I am not very good taking my time when something I want finally lands on my doorstep!

 

1.) No, because I'm lazy XD
2.) to share the excitement, to brag lol and to show those who are still waiting for the same doll what it looks like IRL

 

I enjoy looking at box openings too. It's some kind of magic. I'd say it's like a birth of child but it sounds 2 trivial
Honestly good box opening photosets are rather exciting.

 

I love to watch box openings. It's like such a happy moment that everyone shares. I haven't done a box opening yet because I was too excited to think about it my first time. When my others come, I would like to do their box openings.

 

I love watching/looking at box openings. I like to see the excitement on the people's faces, I like to see the doll being taken out and made into the character it was intended for. I've been watching this hobby from the sidelines for far too long and I finally ordered my first doll, and you can bet I will be doing one (that is unless I derp out with excitement and forget ^^

I also used box openings a lot for reference before I was able to judge doll sizes in my mind XD I liked seeing size comparisons of people holding them, and I still do!

 

I love box openings. It's wonderful to participate in the owners excitement. They are fun and a vicarious thrill for a doll that you might never own buy can still experience another's joy at owning. You get to see the doll in reference to other items if its a size you aren't familiar with. You can see how well it was packed and if the company gives goodies. You can see the default faceup as it appears outside of the company sales pictures, or even see the blank sculpt to get an idea of how you might want to give that doll a faceup if you were to buy the sculpt. Box opening pictures are a tradition that has value on multiple levels in the hobby.

 

Actually I have been in another community that did box openings. The tarantula community! lol A lot of people order them online and like to do video of them opening their package. They're just as excited about their spiders as we are about dolls! The videos probably can also act as proof of any DOAs (dead on arrival) as required by a lot of sites for their live arrival guarantee.

It's funny because the Tarantula community has so much in common with us other than that. They consider it addictive (you can't have just one/ snowball effect, etc.) and they also have a language most outsiders don't get made up of acronyms and slang. Instead of dollfie, BJD, DoD and the like they have T's, OBT's, slings, RCF, and the like. XD

 

I love seeing box openings because you get to see what the doll looks like straight from the factory, before anyone has had any chance to customize it. I've done a a few box openings and posted them here. When my new doll arrives, I'll surely be doing one for it, as well!

They also are great posts because a lot of us don't have many people who understand the BJD habit and it's nice to post a box opening and get back replies that mimic our enthusiasm for the doll finally arriving!!!

 

I usually open the box to get the doll out, this is why...

JUST KIDDING, I UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION.

I actually wondered that myself. I guess it is because we all know how it feels when our doll arrives and want to share that feeling of excitement and enthusiasm with others who would understand it.

I took pics when my first new doll arrived, but I never posted them anywhere. XD I felt too silly, despite the fact that it is almost EXPECTED in this hobby.

 

1) Have you created a box opening video or taken pictures as you opened the box?

Yes I have, mostly because I was excited with the idea of doing one.

2) Why do you think we do it?
The short answer would be, because it's fun. But now that I think on it I actually think it's good to do this for several reasons.

This way others can see how well the doll was packed and might take us think twice about buying from someone who didn't do a good job at packing.

If there is something wrong with the doll, there's also solid proof that it happened before the doll was opened since it came like that from the box.

Before buying a doll I always check box opening threads from the company. That way I have a good idea of what to expect when I get mine :3 .