Box Openings - why do we have them?

Especially for new companies, I found box openings very useful. You can see how a company actually packs their dolls. If the packaging is suitable for overseas and airfreight shipping, for example. It made me wait until and hope that the company of my choice would overcome their little issues with this. And as they solved it, it was well worth the wait.

But I find box openings also otherwise quite entertaining. I admit, I mostly watch those of the big guys (and sometimes girls), but this very first moment is so lovely.

 

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

No, I just never think to do it. I think for my next doll I will definitely. My boyfriend now lives with me and he'll be present for the box opening so it will seem like more of an event (he ordered a doll as well, so a double opening). Before when I lived alone it was too awkward taking pictures during the opening. I'd just settle for the aftermath photos.


Why do you think we do it?

Why do we take pictures of ourselves and family opening presents during the holidays? It's exciting and we want to share it! There's a lot more community in this hobby than in others I've been involved with. I think that definitely plays a part in why we take photos during box openings. Other people want to share in our excitement too, this is evident by all the positive comments box opening threads gain. I don't think we'd bother if no one wanted to see it. But they've proven they do want to see it, and it's only natural to want to share our happiness.

 

Wow, I didn't realise people actually videoed their box openings, but I am fairly new to BJDs. I'm going to have to go and check some out! I don't think I would ever do it myself though as I am always too impatient to get my dolls out and dressed, plus I think I would personally feel a little bit silly (not to say that those who do it are!).

 

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

I have created one indeed~ I've only done one...mostly because I get second-hand dolls most of the time and it's not a huge deal I think. But, I did it because I was with a friend and we had been waiting weeks for them. I always find it super exciting to do them, or to watch them or read about them, because you can tell the person that is opening the box obviously is really excited and has also been waiting for forever.

2) Why do you think we do it?

I think we do it just for what I stated...it's fun, we've been waiting weeks, months even, to get our dolls and we want to share the excitement. It's like christmas! xD

 

If I have a camera handy I do them. I think they are also a fun part of the hobby. I like to look at other people's to get a first glimpse of a doll I have also been wanting and there is that shared excitment. We often wait so long for our dolls, layaway, having to hunt them up on the secondary market, saving money, etc. that that moment of finally getting our dolls is pretty momentous. I think it is a celebration of a special moment. And I like having the pics. I really have no means to share mine, but they help me remember that kid on Christmas excitment

 

Have you created a box opening video or taken pictures as you opened the box?
no, but i plan to when i finish paying for my doll on layaway (first doll)

Why do you think we do it?
because its exiting, its a really important time to remember and its fun to share with other collectors and newbs just getting into the hobby. i think of them as a sort of birthday (imo)
also they are quite useful if you would like to see the way the company packages there dolls and what it will look like when you get yours.

 

1) Yes, once, but my doll was a little bit of a disappointment because she was damaged

2) Because it's that super special moment when you meet your doll for the first time!! the moment when he or she really starts to come to life for you! it's kind of like "squeeeeee!!!!" and it documents that too ^^

 

also because its a tradition

 

I have taken box opening pics for all three of my dolls. I think as others have said... it's to prolong/hold onto/share the excitement with others.
BJDs are a bit different from a lot of other hobbies. Even if you order a non-limited doll you're still waiting months for the doll to arrive! It's a big deal when it finally arrives! Not to mention the price of some of these dolls... I think box openings are very special and I do enjoy looking at them a lot!
It's also fun to see people's animals show up to crash the pictures XD

 

I'm definitely going to post a box opening for my Saber-chan.
I think people do it to show off, and to give their opinion on how the doll looks directly out-of package.
On the DD forum I frequent, some people even make them into mini photo stories.

 

Have you created a box opening video or taken pictures as you opened the box?
No I cant say I have. I haven't bought my first doll either so > u <
Why do you think we do it
hmm...I know i'd do it so someone who was interested in buying the doll I got would have a chance to see the it in another way alond side owner pictures they've looked up. I remeber how many times I've searched youtube for box openings of dolls I've liked ^ 7 ^ I always feel happy that that person took the time to make it.

 

I did a box opening photoshoot. I mainly did that to share the experience with my online friends who would have liked to be with me whenever I opened my doll. I think that dolls are very different from a pair of shoes because of how the dolls normally come undressed, maybe even unassembled. It's an actual process when you first get a doll, and I think that for many collectors it is a memorable moment... So we like to document it. I plan on doing an unboxing for every doll I ever get because I want to share it with my friends, as well as have a photo diary of what happened.

 

After waiting months for my doll to arrive there should be a ceremony!!! lol. Maybe that's it? Our wait time of months to almost a year is unique to this hobby? My other hobbies like gardening, sewing and contact juggling are immediately available to me and if I need something shipped its in days.

 

Personally, I like to look at box-openings because they make me smile. I can see how excited a new owner is just by how many pictures they take or the commentary. Although, it is hard to find openings for dolls that I like. But that's okay, because then I get to see more sculpts besides the ones I'm particular to.

 

I love watching box openings. I live vicariously through the others. I can't afford 1/2 the dolls I want, so I watch others who can get them, and inside semi-pretend it is me....LOL

I love seeing people so happy to get a doll. As long as the reason for the opening was Joy and not showing off, I could probably watch the opening of anything. It is the other person's happiness that draws me.

There seems to not be a whole lot in this world to be really happy about, so I grab my Joy where I can.

 

Box openings are a great way to look at informal pictures of dolls that are not glammed up for photos. I use box openings to get a really honest look at a doll. Since many dolls arrive blank, sometimes box openings are the first time you get to see a certain mold blank too if the company does not provide photos of such. I find with box openings that I can really decide if I want a doll or not because I get to see it from a bunch of unconventional angles, so I know what I'm really getting.

 

I guess I think of the box opening kinda like a birthday. You can look back at the pictures many years later, and see the doll you love all brand new again. Maybe even re-capture some of the old excitement, or just see all the changes you've made to it since it was new.

 

1) Have you created a box opening video or taken pictures as you opened the box?
Once - yes, for the first time. Why? I don't know, I saw people do that, so I've done it too, but for now I really like to see this photos again. It can keeps very nice memories!

2) Why do you think we do it?
To keeps that feeling, to see how she/he was when she/he was blank or with first makeup...

 

I love to see box openings because it's nice to see how happy and excited the new doll owners are. I like knowing that people are happy.

 

1) Have you created a box opening video or taken pictures as you opened the box? No.

If not, why not? No camera. But I just bought one so I can record a box opening for a doll I ordered. Hopefully I can work out how to use it.

2) Why do you think we do it? Probably because there's a lot invested in buying a doll, and some dolls take ages to wait for. It's this little ritual that is part of the hobby. People like to share. It's like a birth experience. Maybe I'm putting too much into this. lol