Box Openings - why do we have them?

I am debating on whether I want to do a box opening gallery thread of video when my boy gets here. I love both, though I find I love videos more because you can much better feel and share in the excitement of someone getting their doll. However, my web cam sucks. So I may just do photos.

I also like seeing them because after seeing those gorgeous stock photos, a box opening shows you the "real thing", the doll you are actually getting. And if the dolls arrive without a faceup, you get the opportunity to see the dolls sculpt for what it is and see if you really like it. So they have a practical purpose.

 

I like them because it gives me an idea on what to expect if ever I get my own.

It's also a good way to compare whether a company has improved over the years I guess?

 

I like them! A box opening a day keeps my dollie desires at bay.

 

I think it's from Asian hobby culture. We take picture of everything and post it. (Nice food, new dress, new cosmetic...) I have seen a lot of box-opening posting of i-mac or high-end cosmetics. But I never have done any of those. Because I just couldn't wait to open the box. LOL

 

I LOVE box openings!

I love looking at other people's box openings because, well - it's like Xmas and 'Let's Make a Deal' all rolled into one. "What's in box number one?" LOL! The photographer's excitement is almost palpable, and that sense of wonder and happiness usually rubs off a little on the viewer. I like seeing how different boxes from different companies look, and it's interesting to see how different companies (or individual sellers) pack their dolls. (It says something to a customer when a bjd arrives carefully bubble-wrapped, tied down and lovingly stowed in a body pillow. Vice versa, it also says something when the customer opens a box to see a doll half-heartedly stuck in some styrofoam with the head turned backwards, the eyeballs rolling around loose, and all of the fingers on one hand broken in half.)

I also love doing box openings myself, b/c when everything is said and done, I have a photographic record of the first time seeing my doll in person. I get the warm fuzzies when I go back and look at the piccies of my doll's first foray into my world, I have to admit. But aside from that, and from a more practical standpoint, photos from the box opening are invaluable as proof in case of damaged or missing items.

 

1) Have you created a box opening video or taken pictures as you opened the box?
YES! I love making box opening videos to capture the moment and it's really fun as well.
I don't take pictures, though. I feel like that takes away from the excitement.

2) Why do you think we do it?
For fun, and to share BJDs with everyone

 

Box openings are such a valueable tool for us in this hobby. Not only do we feel like we can take part in this persons excitement at their doll finally coming home we know what it's like to feel the same. It's a good way to memorialize the event in our mind. I take pictures of my animals at different stages of our friendship why not me as a fresh eyed newbie to proud owner of a possible dream doll. It also helps other decide what to expect and if they like what they see in the 'raw' so to speak.

 

1) Have you created a box opening video or taken pictures as you opened the box?
yes, many (most not doll related though)
--If yes, why did you do it?
I like watching box openings so I'm sure that someone would enjoy watching mine too (and sometimes I like to go back and watch them to relive the excitement )

2) Why do you think we do it?
I'm not sure, maybe we do it to share the joy of receiving a doll with the world ^^
I know that I love watching box openings, it makes me happy for the owner (almost as happy as if I was opening the doll myself)

 

I like them because I can see the sculpt and how it's packaged and all that! It's even more fun on youtube where you hear the owner squeel happily, haha.

 

Mmn. I did a full one once, but it wasn't here on DoA. Most of the time that I do take photos of "Box Openings", it's largely just partial shots of "OH HEY LOOKIT NEW DOLLY" after the fact. XD;

The one full box opening I did was mostly for fun, but it was also because Emory throws in the most amazing random freebies, especially when you buy a full-sized SD from JunkySpot. So it was also a case of "Oh hey, let's see what's hidden in this box. 8D". And all of the "Holy crap Emory where did you find this and how did you know I was a fan of this ;w;" because he always has these awesome CDs or DVDs tucked in there. Along with countless other things. With JunkySpot orders, the box arriving is only part of the fun. The other part is seeing what wonders lie within the package. :3

And, well, for me? Ordering from a company like JunkySpot who go way out of their way on freebies? Is exciting since you don't know what you'll get. And, as a result, I'm more liable to picspam my box openings from there, just on the grounds of "HOLY CRAP YOU GUYS THE DOLL I KNEW I WAS GETTING AND ALL OF THIS UNEXPECTED AWESOME BESIDES? " alone. XD;

Much as it'll take time to get my Azera's faceup and wig done, I'm entirely liable to take some photos shortly after his arrival. Mostly because I want the reference images to be out there and readily accessible via Forum Search if anyone's wondering what the blank sculpt looks like. And then again, once I give him a customized faceup, and maybe /some/ mods. Back when I was considering ordering him, most of the owner pictures of Azera that I'd found, save one person(MASSIVE THANK YOU TO THEM, BTW) had him decked out in his defaults. Which, I'm not sure about anyone else, but I find it hard to grasp the potential of a sculpt if you don't have photos of blanks and a handful of different faceups(custom or otherwise) and/or piercing mods and/or different wigs/eyes on them, you know?

So, in cases when I'm looking at ordering a blank of a sculpt that there aren't blank photos kicking around of(and if there are, there aren't many/enough for me to easily find), and sculpts where I've decided to customize a faceup/do some modding, I'm much more likely to picspam them in general. Just so that they're out there for the other hobbyists who want to see what kind of things they can do with the sculpt. :3c

So, I guess, for me? It's largely a case-by-case basis, decided largely by where I ordered from and what I ordered and how many available resources exist for whatever sculpt in question before I placed my order initially.

 

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

No, because I don't have any BJDs as of yet. However, I know I would make a video if (or when) I do get one. I wanted to share that the I am part of the reborn doll community, and they make a big deal of box openings as well. Maybe it's not just a BJD community thing, but the doll community as a whole. I have done a box opening for my reborn doll.

2) Why do you think we do it? I think we all love sharing in our excitement. Watching them is also a great way to find out about dolls we haven't seen before (I'm sure most of us love seeing other people's dolls). I know I also personally love seeing people get really excited about something.

 

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

--If yes, why did you do it?

I did it because i wanted to remember the moment (aside from the pictures) and share it with everyone else in the BJD community. I find it exciting and fun. Its nice to share.
I do it because i enjoy looking at what everyone else gets and the surprise on their face as they get there BJD. It makes me feel very happy for him/her.
Also, i find it very informative. Especially Box openings from companies you've never ordered from.


2) Why do you think we do it?

To share BJD's with the rest of the community through YouTube. And to share the experience as well as some informative knowledge about the company. (AKA: What does the box look like? (I have seen some companies change their box covers after a few years.) What kind of certificates does the company give out? Does the doll actually look like the picture?

I find box opening to be fun and helpful especially for new BJD owners keeps you excited for when your doll arrives.

 

I don't think I'll be doing box openings. Mostly because I don't think I'll have the patience to take step-by-step pictures when I finally get my own doll. I'll be too busy ripping the packaging open like a caffeinated squirrel. XD

But I love looking at everyone else's! Especially when people throw in a picture of a "finished" doll. I've seen quite a few where the initial blank sculpt didn't look like much at all, but the completed doll with faceup/eyes/wig/etc was enough to make my jaw drop.

 

I really love looking at box openings because the owners are so excited to get their doll and are super excited to show everyone, it makes me feel like we are in the room with them while they are doing the opening. Also, the videos give them viewers a chance to see what the doll is going to look like, if they are getting a specific doll and searched for an opening. It never ceases to make me smile with each opening, each reaction is different and unique. I am planning on making a videos when I get my boy(s) so that people can see them and see what the dolls are like. I love the whole sharing aspect of this hobby and everyone is so amazing to share their experiences!

 

I did a box opening of sort in a mini photostory. (I only had the patience for three pictures. XD;; I wanted to huggle my boy.) So those are the ones I really like.

 

I love box openings. It was one of the influences that helped me decided to get my first bjd. I enjoy watching the excitement that the person has when opening their box. And its like I have a bunch of dolls but not really. ^^ Also it helps with what to expect when you order a doll from that company.

 

I love box opening because it is interesting to look at house photos of a doll. Often at home dolls looks on another, than on promo photo. It is very interesting to glance in a box. What lies inside and as it is issued that the firm lays down as a gift.

 

Its been awhile since I did a box opening, but I mostly get 2nd hand dolls these days and its not as interesting for me to view those.

I do enjoy box openings when someone gets a doll new from the company. It is a nice glimpse into how the company treats their dolls, how well they are packed, nice (often less flattering) photos of the doll. It gives you a chance to see the nude body too whereas some companies don't post nude photos and its uncommon to find many nude photo shoots.
You also usually can find out how long the new owner waited for the doll and if everything was included or if the quality was as expected or not.

 

I have only taken still pictures for my box openings. I don't really want to do video. I do it for several reasons.
Firstly because it's a great record for me to look back on.
I like seeing other peoples pics to learn about how the companies package their dolls (some send you a free carry bag!)
I like seeing the doll with no eyes, wig etc to get an idea of how they really look as well as getting to see the full body
I also do it just because it's fun

 

I agree with this completely! But, I also think there's an aspect of 'adoption'. When people get new puppies they get super excited and tell everybody because their family just grew. Same with BJD's. Every time you get a new one your resin family gets bigger ^^

*cheesy moment over*