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Is it wrong to keep a doll you don't even play with?

Mar 1, 2011

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    1. I got my grail doll, a Volks Charlotte, but after the first day I put her away in her box in my closet. I like her look so much, but I'm so terrified of messing her up or hurting her because she is worth so much more than my other dolls, and harder to get, that I just, keep her in there... I feel like I don't even deserve to own her, and what's the point of all the money I spent on her if she's going to stay in there?


      What do you guys think? Do you have certain dolls that you just keep in their boxes in a closet? Do you ever take them out for anything? Do you treat your more expensive, hard to get dolls the same way you treat your standard dolls?
       
      #1 ohmondieujetaime, Mar 1, 2011
    2. My dolls spend most of their time in their boxes and I only have one of the SD sized dolls out at any time - both my bigger dolls have spare heads so I rotate heads so that everyone has a chance to be out for a while. The most expensive doll is treated the same as the rest. Each collector has their own way of doing things and no way is the right or wrong way.
       
      #2 Mirren, Mar 1, 2011
    3. There is nothing wrong with wanting to keep things that you like in a clean and safe environment (in this case their boxes) when you are not playing with them.
       
      #3 anavel, Mar 1, 2011
    4. There is no "right" or "wrong" to how you keep your dolls. They belong to you; it's entirely up to you how you treat them.
       
      #4 Arkady, Mar 1, 2011
    5. My gang all stay nice and safe in their boxes, away from light, heat and dust until I'm ready for someone. And given my job, that can be months at a time. Plus there are a couple of dolls who have been with me for years but who rarely get attention. It doesn't bother them, and I enjoy the times I do take them out.

      It sounds more like you're having guilt-for-spending-so-much issues. Stop internalizing authority figures and just enjoy having gotten your grail doll. You wanted her, you got her, and it's up to you how or how often you want to enjoy her. She's not a living pet, so she doesn't need daily attention! You'll love her anew every time you do take her out!
       
      #5 hobbywhelmed, Mar 1, 2011
    6. Everyone enjoys the hobby differently. You don't have to play with the dolls to love them.
       
      #6 Snow, Mar 1, 2011
    7. Heh. I do, I do have a doll like this. He is an exquisite default ____________ _______________ . ;) And he's lying in his box on a shelf with other - empty - boxes in my closet. It is as though he's interred in my own doll mausoleum. Strange that. But it gives me great comfort to know he's there and from time to time I go in and take down the box and peek at him.
       
      #7 Zagzagael, Mar 1, 2011
    8. Agreeing with the above. It is only wrong, if it makes you feel unhappy. Almost all of my dolls are boxed up when I don't play with them. I don't have a lot of time and I do have a lot of dolls, so many of them can easily stay boxed up for months if not longer. I've had people make unpleasant remarks about that, but keeping the dolls safe and out of harms way when I do not play with them does not make me feel bad.
       
      #8 Muisje, Mar 1, 2011
    9. I don't have dolls being put away at the moment :)
      But I don't think there is anything wrong to keep what you think is very precious safe and well with you!
      In fact, most collectors just place their precious in a safe place and don't often play around or look at them at all.
      To me, it's the ownership that matters ;) Don't worry about not playing with her!
       
      #9 HikaruMuraki, Mar 1, 2011
    10. You could always try investing in a display cabinet or such to keep her in when your not playing. This is what I do with my dolls and not only can I always see them, but I feel comfortable knowing they are safe from harm (we own several indoor cats.) It seems a proper solution since I know that even if a doll is kept inside its box, the resin will yellow anyway. I'd rather see my dolls all the time so it works. :)
       
      #10 Glitterybee, Mar 1, 2011
    11. I don't think that it's wrong, though it sounds like you're not getting the enjoyment you want out of your doll. Have you thought of putting up a UV-protected glass case where you can enjoy her more, even if you don't take her out much to play?

      For me, if I was not getting to at least have my dolls out for looking at most of the time, it would probably bother me specifically. But everyone has their doll-habits different. My dolls spend most of their time chilling out on their bench. It makes me happy to have them there, though I don't get to play with them as much as I'd like some days.
       
      #11 Ice Mutt, Mar 1, 2011
    12. This.

      Most of my own collection are kept behind glass in display cabinets when I'm not actively tinkering with them. As Glitterybee said, I can still see and enjoy them that way, while knowing they're not getting dusty or covered in cat hair (Only one cat here, but she's like a long-haired fur-factory. o_0) or left in the sun. It's an excellent compromise between having the dolls out and keeping them boxed, I think.

      As for the other issue... There's no rule that says you have to actually *do* any particular thing with a doll. Keep it out or keep it packed away. Play with it daily or ignore it completely for months. It's all fine, and really... It's up to YOU to decide how you want to do things. If you're most comfortable with Charlotte in her box, then leave her in her box. She's your doll, she belongs to you, so you get to call the shots.
       
      #12 Brightfires, Mar 1, 2011
    13. Yeah, I wish I could get a glass case for my dolls, but there's just no room in the apartment I have now. It's a two bedroom, and I have two daughters and a husband.
      I guess I'll just keep her in her box until I can move or something, and am able to put up a cabinet for them. I love her so much, she's adorable, but I just can't justify handling her too much. That's why I have my Elena. She's my go-to play-with doll.
       
      #13 ohmondieujetaime, Mar 1, 2011
    14. I don't think it's necessary to play with dolls, and I can go for long periods of time without touching mine, but I do like to have them out on a shelf where I can admire them : )
       
      #14 Chibi Kitsune, Mar 1, 2011
    15. I have my dolls in their boxes all the time in home and I don't play very much with them neither...but I agree with Snow, everybody enjoys the hobby differently and I think that's the good thing of this hobby :)
       
      #15 Numen, Mar 1, 2011
    16. Yes, I agree with all that's said above and below lol. :3nodding: :lol: :XD:
       
      #16 ahyu, Mar 1, 2011
    17. Mine are displayed and out but I usually only handle them when I'm going to redress or photograph them, other then that they sit in there room where I can go in and view them, some dont get a change of clothing ever even though I have tons of outfits usually when I find a look I like they stay in it. but there is nothing wrong with keeping them in boxes if thats how you like to keep them, It's really a choice of the collector how they show, display, play with their dolls.
       
      #17 shaDrouet, Mar 1, 2011
    18. You bought the doll because you loved it, didn't you? I think that's what matters the most. There's no rulebook saying you have to drag your doll with you to the mall, or keep it on your couch. If the simple fact of owning it is enough for you, then that's enough. If you wouldn't feel any remorse selling her, then sell her - but I doubt you actually want to.

      Don't feel guilty about keeping her boxed up, a lot more people than you might think probably do the same.

      My dolls aren't limited editions, but even so, I don't feel it's required that I take pictures of them every day or take them out. They mostly sit on my dresser looking pretty, and that's good enough for me :>
       
      #18 Schtiel, Mar 1, 2011
    19. I have my dolls out constantly, but I rarely play with them. One's even been in pieces for most of a year. Even so, I'd never sell my dolls (unless dire circumstances reared their ugly head(s)). Just because you don't take your doll out and play with it daily doesn't mean you don't get every bit as much enjoyment out of it as someone who constantly has their dolls out, or constantly plays with them.

      Enjoy your doll! And congrats on getting your grail~!
       
      #19 bewaretheshort1, Mar 1, 2011
    20. When I first got my CD boy, I had to leave him in his box because he came so
      poorly strung and I felt so bad. I have only two dolls right now, and both are
      either in my room in their bed, or hanging out with my mom. She enjoys
      the company.

      Like someone said a display case may be good, or you could
      simply buy her a stand for now and display her and her alone
      as the grail she is. ^^

      I'm sure that if you tell your daughters and husband to treat
      her well they will look out for her. ^^

      You could even get her a child-sized chair to
      sit her in if you feel bad about putting her in the box.
      But the fact that you worry at all is the sign that you really
      love and deserve her. :)
       
      #20 AnnoDomini, Mar 1, 2011
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