In honor of February, the month of love, I now give you my Precious Places love saga...
Do you know what I mean when I say that no one in my life understands how I can love Precious Places so much? I find myself not wanting to admit to people that I collect them, that there are bins of toys in our storage room. Why? Because those who have found out almost always react the same way...
A good friend from childhood was helping us move a couple years ago. As she carried a large bin of Precious Places into our new house, she asked me, "What's this?" I told her it was my Precious Places collection, to which she responded, "I don't remember you having these when we were kids." I replied, "I didn't. I've been buying them on eBay lately." She looked at me, eyebrows raised, and said, "Seriously?"
Yes, seriously...
She's not the only one who thinks I'm crazy. My husband totally doesn't get it either. He won't call my toys by their proper name. He says 'Precious Places' sounds like a porno movie, so he prefers to refer to them as 'The Pink Village'. Like, whenever a package comes in the mail from an address he doesn't recognize, he'll ask me, "Is this something else for the Pink Village?"
So now I find that my last and best hope for some support is my two year old daughter. She thinks Precious Places are wonderful. Like me, she is enchanted by the lights and the cute little animals, the pastel colors and most of all, the magic of watching the characters come alive with a flick of a key. Perhaps you have to look through the eyes of a child to realize why Precious Places have captured my heart. Maybe if everyone in my life could be seven years old again, they'd quit teasing me about my collection and discover what I already know, that Precious Places really truly are the best toys ever made.
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I received my first set as a child in first grade. It was the ballet studio. Iwas thrilled with this new toy, so my family gave me lots of sets in the short period they were sold. I have played with them a lot, with two friends. We had so much fun organising them and then reorganising and inventing stories.
ReplyDeleteI've never let my little sister play with them and kept them for my future kids. Now I have a two years old daughter and she already love playing with the sets when I allow her to touch it!!!
Then again, my husband does'nt get it either. He respects it and does'nt mind much when I buy sets on ebay if they are not too expansive, but he thinks I throw a lot of money and time because I visit your blog almost every day.
So hey! You are not alone!
Val
Hey Val,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment! Glad to know there is someone who likes my blog. When I started it, I didn't think there would be too many people interested in reading about Precious Places, but I get about 800 page views every month, which seems pretty good to me considering I've never even told anyone about the blog. But even though page views are great, comments are better. I do really enjoy 'talking' with other collectors. So thanks!
I understand you!! I'm 26 years old and still have a good amount of my own playsets from this line. My 7yr old daughter now plays with them and loves them! She loves them more than ANY other toy she owns. (barbie sets, bratz, lil pet shop, etc) We saw the "new precious places" line at toysrus the other day...nothing like the original and looks boring. My daughter was almost in tears asking why they won't make the other ones anymore. :)
ReplyDeleteI have yet to come across a doll play set that is as fun and unique as PP. My daughters friends want them now too but sadly I had to tell the moms they aren't around. hmm...inspires me to write to Fisher Price!
Along with PP, Polly pocket is my 2nd fav.
I love your blog and am so glad I found it! Thanks!
I'm 32 and had these sets from when I was 7 and 8 years old. They filled my desire for a doll house, and long after the sets were no longer sold (I was heart broken, one minute, discount Harry's toy store had a whole row of this line, next time I went, they had only a few boxes on clearance. My mom didn't understand the urgency and only let me get one more furniture set, so I ended up with only that one last set before they were gone forever. I have ALMOST every set, including the mansion (which became home to my lego family for years and years). I have the nursery, the chapel, the living room and bedroom, and all the character sets except Andy and the pink baby... I didn't keep the boxes or instructions.
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