I have often wondered why adults collect Beanies. I e-mailed
this question to the beaniephiles list members. I will share my
thoughts and their answers to this question.
First off, I'd like to confess to something.
While growing up I was never a frilly girl, I was more of a tom
boy. I do not recall playing with dolls, fussing over my hair
or even bothering with make-up and nail polish. I played football
in the street and threw rocks just to fit in with the boys.
Maybe, just maybe, that little girl that always wanted to
be released when I was a child, has finally found her way out,
OR then again, maybe it's a mid life crisis! Oh boy, we do not
want to go there.
I collect Beanies for various reasons, the main one being,
my children. I realize that Beanies can be an investment, but
that is not why I continually collect. Beanie Babies have allowed
me to share in collecting a item which my children and I relate
too. I especially enjoy the scavenger hunts, it reminds me of
being a tom boy and playing hide and go seek. The only problem
is, Beanies are being hid so well that I'm having a difficult
time seeking them.
Beanies have also offered comfort, warmth and pleasure. Coming
from an adult, That sounds pretty weird, but it's the truth! I
can remember the warm feeling I used to experience while holding
my children and feeding them. My children would always look into
my eyes as if I were god: I knew they needed me and depended on
me, they were innocent little beings who just wanted to be held
and loved. Many of Ty's Beanies have special traits and personalities,
just like my kids. I guess that's why I can relate to them so
well. My daughter can remind me of Tabasco the bull, and then
again, on other days, I can compare her to Fleece the lamb. My
son reminds me of Bongo the monkey some days, and Peace the bear
on others. When I think of my husband, I think of Stripes the
tiger and Mystic the unicorn. Beanies have also inspired me to
write and express my feelings openly and honestly on 'Beanie Mania'.
You may want to arm yourself with your favorite beverage and
a box of Kleenex. This article can be lengthy, but well worth
reading.
WHY DO ADULTS COLLECT BEANIES?
Ms. Janie, I collect Beanies for an investment. I see the
possibility of turning a little bit of money into a pretty nice
pile in a couple of years. Collecting Beanies for an investment
is a heck of a lot more fun than the stock market. I also enjoy
the challenge of the hunt.
Ms. Janie, I collect Beanies because they're cute. They're
actually fun to hold, pet, fondle - sort of like worry beads or
something like that.
The monetary value gives me a useful excuse for doing this
at my age (46) and I also comfort myself about the amount of money
I'm spending by telling myself they are an investment!
Beanies have given me a new interest - something I haven't
had in a long time. They have reminded me to do something nice
for myself - something I often forget - and have also led to me
developing other collecting interest…teddy bears, plush,
etc.
Ty's animals have personality. There is just something about
their faces … you can look at others and it's just a stuffed
animal, but Ty's beanies and plush look like they SHOULD have
names because there is something there - a kindness or something.
Needless to say - I don't like Crunch or Spinner!
Ms. Janie, I am a 36 year old woman. I have collected Beanies
ever since I spotted them a year ago. I was married for 13 years
to a rather difficult man, he always wanted things his way and
would never give an inch. My husband and I are separated and I
for one, am better off. My Beanies offer me comfort, love and
joy, best of all, they do not talk back, yell, scream or make
me feel like a stupid individual. I love my Beanies, I also appreciate
all of the articles you write and enjoy reading them very much.
Ms. Janie, I fell into Beanie collecting by mistake. I had
started collecting for my children but after they had such a hard
time finding them, they gave up. My children wanted to sell their
collection but I would not allow them too, I reminded them that
I paid for the Beanies, so now they were mine. Before I knew it,
I was hooked! Many of my children's friends have also stopped
collecting for their sets, I had a field day buying many retired
pieces from these kids. I really do not know what I'll do with
my Beanies, many times I have gotten scared about sinking so much
money into a toy. I know that Beanies will fade away some day,
but for now I'll just enjoy them and hope and pray they keep their
value.
Ms. Janie, I collect Beanies because my daughter and wife
love them and it is something we can all do together. It's fun
to see which one's are going to retire or guess what might come
out .. and yes maybe the dollar value has something to do with
it. I already collect coins, Ivory and Hummels, I wanted no part
of Beanies… but look now how I spend my hours on the net.
I retired early to spend more time with my family…I did not
think more time, meant more Beanie hunting.
Ms Janie, I collect Beanies because they give me a rush when
I find them. It's the only excitement that I get. My husband doesn't
understand, but then again, I don't understand how cars could
excite him.
Ms. Janie, I stated collecting Beanie Babies as they were
brightly colored, inexpensive and I thought they were a great
way to decorate a drab office. Now Beanies have become my hobby.
I play with the office Beanies and the ones at home are for display.
I love to buy and trade over the Internet as I have met the most
wonderful people with whom to share the beanie habit…which
I guess is now also an Attic habit, which I already had before
Beanies.
Ms. Janie, I really "jumped" into collecting Beanies
when my dad passed away 9 months ago. I know this sounds silly,
but a death leaves a void and this one was cavernous. We shared
sports/baseball/etc… I guess I was just trying to fill the
hole. Beanies have also brought many new friends and enhanced
existing friendships. Beanies are a challenge and I do like collecting
things, especially things that will or have become valuable. If
I had to sell it all…the Bears would stay.
Ms. Janie, I collect BB-because I always loved stuffed animals-but,
was always buying them for my Grandkids-(which I still do)-Now
I can get them for myself (at $5.00 to $6.00) without going broke.
Yes, they make me feel like a kid again---and when they increase
in value, it makes it more fun.
Ms. Janie, I collect Beanies because they are very cute, they
hold and increase their value and there are a lot of them. Beanies
are a fun collectible that I can enjoy with my children. I have
always loved stuffed animals, but the fact that Beanies are "collectibles"
makes it more permissible to have hundreds.
Ms. Janie, I started collecting Beanies as a hobby for my
daughter and I to share. We used to love the thrill of the hunt…sitting
or standing in lines together, chasing all over looking for Beanies.
Now, we sit back at the computer and surf the net looking for
great deals to add to our collection. We love them because they
are cute, yes they make you feel good. It would be hard to deny
that watching the older ones soar in value isn't fun too. It is
much more fun than watching the stock market! Sad to say, I will
never be able to part with my Beanies!
Ms. Janie, My husband calls me a certifiable NUT. After reading
your book - The Beanie Invasion, I was inspired to follow in your
foot steps. I used all of your tips and knowledge to help me finish
my collection. I could honestly relate to you and your feelings
during my hunt. I credit you and the Internet for being honest,
human and making Beanie collecting fun. I'm hooked and would never
trade, swap, sell or let these darling little critters out of
my sight. Beanies have become a part of me, and I have you to
thank for it.
Ms. Janie, I've actually been giving a lot of thought over
the last couple of months as to why I collect Beanies. I am 41
and started collecting Beanies in December l997. My dad died of
cancer last June. I've always loved stuffed animals and have collected
them at various times in my life. The Beanie collecting, I think,
is my way of being five years old again, and trying to bring back
a time in my life when my dad and I were really close. Just about
each one reminds me of some toy or event that happened when I
was a kid, or some toy that my dad either brought home for me
from work. Just off of the top of my head, my childhood reminders
are:
NF Brown Teddy - "Arnold" my teddy bear.
Seamore - A trip to Los Angeles harbor when they had a tank of
trained seals.
Speedy - a set of stuffed turtles, one small, one large, "That
I had to have as a child".
Twigs - a picture book about of Giraffe names "Cecily"
and a plastic giraffe my dad bought for me.
Peanut - "Babar" books.
Bongo - Curious George books.
The odd thing is, that I have not had these things in years.
These memories sort of came flooding back when I saw each of these
Beanies. It's really a lot of fun collecting Beanies and I like
the thrill of the chase, to a point. The Princess and Erin thing
has been very frustrating.
Ms. Janie, *Smile*…Why do I as an adult collect Beanies?
Hmmmmm… I sat and took some time to think about this….
It's simple really. I fell in love with what they represent, which
is youth and innocence…the feeling of childhood, I guess.
I fell in love with the expressions in their eyes and had to go
and find one for myself. The warm and loving, friendly and open
expressions on the faces of these beanies are precious, lost moments
in time, when all the pains and heartaches in the world could
be alleviated by a stuffed animal. They could kiss the worst boo
boo and make it all better…That's what Beanies are…healing
little friends. I can disappear into the magical world of childhood
with these cute little critters, for they recreate lost innocence
in a world which can sometimes hurt. Beanies are adorable, warm,
loving little critters, and I love mine with joy… I'll admit
that thought of their projected value over the years was exciting…
my head said "college" for the kids…etc.…
But as I kept collecting, I realized that I have become very attached
to them.
Ms. Janie, I'm 41 years old and have never collected anything
in my life - until now! This time a year ago I had just heard
of Beanie Babies. By Christmas time, I was able to buy three Beanies,
one for each of my sons and a Velvet for me.
What really built my enthusiasm was collecting with my "little
brother" a college freshman. Our mother died of brain cancer
this past November. Shortly after her death, I realized that I
had always been more of a mother type to my little brother (only
22 months older than my son). I tried to take an interest in his
life and change our relationship. "That's where the Beanies
came in". We began collecting together, we've helped each
other, we share e-mails and phone calls and found new ways to
be brother and sister. Sure, I'd like to mother him but that is
not what he wanted and I'm glad I came to understand that.
48 year old male:
It's fun to try to find them at retail when everyone else
is paying Secondary Market prices for most of them. Besides, they're
cute.
Ms. Janie, Good question... I can't honestly say why I personally
collect Beanie Babies. It wasn't my original intent to do so.
It seemed to start with my daughter's collection and the goal
to keep her set up-to-date. I traded "wish" lists with
family and friends, bought for other people when I found a beanie
someone wanted, as well as accepting beanies others had bought
for my daughter. I had a couple of instances of getting stuck
with extra beanies I picked up for other people, who since got
the same ones, but I enjoyed the find anyway. The leftovers got
stashed and eventually became the hard-to-find beanies that made
wonderful birthday presents. Over time, my pile of "extras"
grew to the extent that I was extremely close to completing a
collection for myself. I figured, "Why not?" I liked
the little critters, they were affordable, plus the new challenge
of finding the missing beanies for my collection was intriguing.
Even though the collecting of Beanie Babies has turned more towards
the adults (due to shortages, collectors hoarding them, and Ty's
marketing), it still is an interest my daughter and I share together...and
I enjoy that. I view my collection as just that...a collection.
I don't count on long-term value, and I don't count on selling
it. It's just fun!!!
Ms. Janie,
Why do I as an adult collect beanies? I've asked myself that
same question many times in the past year! Why am I doing this?!
It's just a stuffed bag of beans! I ordered your book last fall.
Thanks for the goodies you sent. I love Stripes. I could not believe
it when I read that part in your book when you described when
you started collecting. I ran screaming to my husband: "This
is me! She understands! Why didn't I write a book?!" I could
relate to so much you were saying. I have thought about it many
times since my first beanie back in January 1997. I see it happening
to those around me: my sister, my co-workers and friends. We are
grown women! Why are we so obsessed with these beanies? It usually
starts out as a toy to buy for your children or grandchildren.
Then we have to have a few of our own just because we think they're
cute. Pouch was my first beanie, because she's a mama and I'm
a mama. Then it was Fleece because she was a lamb like Chops who
I REALLY wanted because we share the same birthday, but would
not buy because she was $20.00 since she had just retired. Please,
let me go back, and give me another chance at her for $20.00!
My husband just bought her for me for $150.00 for our 17th anniversary
because I was SO obsessed with getting her! Now my obsession is
Sting for our 10 year old son. I got my dream beanie and now I
feel guilty that he does not have his! I also went out and bought
my husband a 1954 Ted Williams baseball card he had been looking
at just so I wouldn't feel so guilty about him spending all that
money on a beanie for me! Anyway, back to WHY?
I bought Nuts because her tail was bushy and we have lots
of squirrels in our yard. Inch, because I am the director and
teach Preschool and I could use it to teach colors. Peanut, because
he's light blue and I have boys. You name the beanie, I've got
a reason why I have to it! I knew I was in trouble when I bought
the cats. I am not a cat person! I like dogs. I really don't like
cats! But the beanies were there and I HAD to have them! Needless
to say I am obsessed! There are now three collections in my family.
My 10 year old son who started all this just collects because
he likes them. He's a real animal lover. He has 64 in his collection.
My 13 year old son is a closet collector. He has all the dogs
and would like to sell some of his for the money but I won't let
him. He has 52 in his collection. And me, I have 110 in my collection.
That does not include the 27 I have hidden away for my boys to
give as gifts later, or the 49 I have stashed away for trading
or selling later on. This is amazing, Janie. This is the first
time I have totaled it up. I HAVE 302 BEANIES IN MY HOUSE!!! What
am I going to do?! I have never really totaled it up before so
when my husband asked how many beanies we had all together I could
honestly say I did not know. Now I know!! Thanks alot Ms. Janie!
Seriously, in answer to your question...I really don't know why
I collect beanies! You must be right though...It must be something
in the beans! I do know I am having more fun with my beanies than
I have had in a long time. I think they are cute. They only cost
$5.00 (Oh,no! Now I am going to have to total up how much I really
spent on beanies. No, I won't do it. Then I won't be telling a
story when I say I honestly don't know how much I have spent!)
Beanies give me something to talk about and share with my children.
It's a commom bond I share with many of my close friends. It gives
me something to do on the computer till 3:07 in the morning. I
don't know what else to say. It's downright FUN! I don't make
excuses anymore or try to justify it to anyone. I'm not doing
it because I think I will make some money on it someday. I could
never sell my beanies! I just love it! Plain and simple. I know
I probably answered your question with much more information than
you really wanted, but that's what happens when it comes to beanies.
I kinda go overboard. But it sure is fun out there swimming with
all 302 of our beanies! Soon to be 303. I'm gettin Erin as soon
as she comes in at my favorite retail store. I helped out at a
Kid's Only Sale where children could buy any two of the new releases
for only $5.00 each! Instead of getting paid, they are giving
me an Erin! I love this store...The Olde Toy Shop in Durham, NC.
The ladies that own the shop are also part of the reason I love
collecting beanies. They are so fair to their customers. Beanies
are still sold for $5.00. But that's a whole 'nother story. It's
now 3:18am and I had better go to bed and dream of beanies!
Hi Janie, Ellen Keils here.
Finally got a chance to read your new article. Loved it. Anyway,
I know you are not taking this survey any more, but somehow I
know it will help me just to write this.
I started collecting Beanies when we were visiting my in-laws.
Me, my mother in law, and the two babies were coming back from
a long day at the pool. The new babe was just 4 weeks and grandma
Rita was absolutely in Love. She loved all her grandbabes, but
this one looked just like a Keils. Grandma Rita was carrying the
baby, I was carrying the three year old and pushing the stroller
filled with our junk when suddenly the baby was just tossed in
my arms. I did not know where she had gone. She just vanished
and I was holding two babies. I looked in the gift shop and she
was bent over a basket of Beanie Babies. After about a half hour
of touching and foundling each and everyone of them, she decided
on 20. This was the first time she had been lucky enough to find
them. They lived up North you see. I bought just one. A couple
hours later we had been back to that shop 3 times until I too
had bought 20. I have been hooked ever since.
She was my Beanie Buddy. We would call each other day and
night when Beanies were spotted. We would buy them for each other
and ship back and forth. We spent more on phone calls and shipping
then the Beanies. I loved it.
Last winter, my mom was taken very ill and was in the hospital.
Grandma Rita told me to take a Beanie Baby to her and just put
it in her hand because they are so theraputic. I did and she responded.
I since lost my mom.
Shortly after, Grandma Rita suddenly had a stroke. My husband
drove up right away, but I had to stay with our babies because
of severe weather conditions. I had already picked up a Teddy
for her for a Christmas present and sent it along. Although she
was in a coma, she seemed to reach for him when they gave him
to her. She died with him sitting on her chest.
Those two Beanies are now my most treasured.
Thanks
Ellen
I'd like to thank everyone who opened up their heart and allowed
me to share their story. I have learned that Beanies are collected
for many reasons. Although monetary value is one of the reasons
for collecting Beanies, in this article it played a very small
part.
Beanies have allowed adults to reminisce about childhood years,
they have brought comfort to those who have lost loved ones, they
symbolize the innocence of childhood, and they have brought family
members closer together. Beanies have also healed many wounds.
Ty's Beanies can be credited for formulating many new and lost
friendships. I'd love to see Ty manufacture a new Beanie called
"Friend":
Birthday 8-14-98
Poem
FRIENDS
True friends are rare and hard to find.
I'm so glad You're a friend of mine.
You offer me strength, wisdom and guidance.
Your patience is endless, your love so great.
For the considerate things you do and say,
I offer you Life Long Friendship
That will never go away.
This beanie poem could be used for many events.
Anniversary's
Weddings
Friendship
Sons and daughters
Mom and Dads
Birthdays
Sisters and Brothers.
The list could be endless...... I just wanted to show a touching
side that Beanies can offer.
