My husband and I have been Star Wars fans since the first movie came out. We clung to the imagination the films inspired in us, and still do. Way before becoming parents, we both began a small Star Wars toy collection. None of the originals from our childhood remained, so this collection was a new one built together. Fast forward 15 years and it's no surprise we now have a son who loves Star Wars as much as we do.
On Giving Up the Mint in Box Ghost
This past weekend, we were cleaning out our basement when we came across the long forgotten box containing our MIB (mint in box) collection. What was to become of it? Should we save it? Should we pack up the box and put it away? Perhaps the funds one day would pay for our son's first car, first semester of college, first bail? After 12-15 years of sitting in a darkened box, the toys came upon a crossroads more important than any Jedi trial.
My husband and I looked at the toys, looked at each other and we knew. We dusted off the boxes and took them upstairs where the unsuspecting boy was soon filled with glee and appreciation. We figured that well-played and loved beat the heck out of Mint in Box any day.
Comments (9)
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The same thing happened to me with *my* Star Wars collection and my Disney Barbies, too. I got to thinking that with all of us saving our toys MIB, maybe our collections will be common - and not worth the saving in the first place.
view Rhymes With Magic's profile
what a sweet post.
view everyeskimo's profile
my husband had a massive collection of hot wheels hed been saving for only God knows when and what for.. once our lil boy showed intrest in cars we decided to get the boxes down and open every single car. it was far more rewarding to see our lil one so happy and to see him play with them rather than let them collect dust. after all, without opening the box youd never get to see the other side of the toy!
view deeboyayay's profile
toys keept in boxes are sad. i am so happy you let your son have these. what a great and giving set of parents you are!
view jackied302's profile
Here, here! The mom of my best friend in grade school collected mint Barbies in the 80's, and when she died last year my friend found that most of them are not worth anything. Maybe just too many people are hip to collecting these days. My friend sold what should could and gives the rest as gifts and donations...a better legacy of her mom, a very kind and generous lady.
view TheLittlestChicken's profile
I agree, collection are often woth so much less than we thought...
view Loora's profile
my husband said, "good for them!" he had an enormous "star wars" lego collection. they were meticulously cared for until about a year ago, when he realized how much our then 4yo and 5yo daughters would love playing with them. they love to all sit together and put together the ships and such and "play" "star wars."
view makakona's profile
Here's the thing - Keeping stuff new in boxes very rarely is actually a wise investment (Just look at beanie babies). Especially anything very obviously collectible. More often, it's things that get destroyed easily and were heavily used and loved - the sentimental nature drives up the market (because people used it), and the rarity (because most people *didn't* save it) that then results in a higher value later.
view anaximander's profile
My best friend in elementary school had a high shelf around the ceiling of her room that held _beautiful_ Barbies! They were so much prettier than those that I had and it made me so mad that her mom wouldn't let us open them and play with them. What's the point?!
view HeatherAB's profile