Blind Box Toys

You know when magazines go and interview celebrities and millionaires in their own homes?  I don't think I have EVER seen one of their homes look cluttered.  Or even busy.

My daughter was into collecting alllll the blind box toys.  Sonny Angels. Shopkins. Zelfs. Funko. Tokidoki.  If she didn't know what was going to be in the box, she NEEDED it.  I am willing to bet the children of celebrities don't have a full collection of Shopkins.  The thrill for kids is not in the HAVING, its in the HUNTING. Being able to afford and receive all of them at once is a short lived thrill.

I believe these kinds of toys are aimed at middle class families.  It creates an air of false abundance, to finally have ALL of something.  The thing is, it never ends.  The next "season" is usually released before you are even done collecting the one before it.  It keeps us forever poor, spending all of our money on collectibles.  The cheeky fuckers get us by stocking them at the supermarket and its "only $3" for a pack.  

I'm trying to teach my children to be comfortable being in the state of "want".  There is something you may want, yes.  Once you have it, something else usually replaces it as your new "want".  So there isn't any rush.  You will still be wanting either way, so ask yourself whether you REALLY need it.  What will it actually add to your life?  Is it practical?  Will it bring long term joy?  Is it worth giving your precious dollars to "the enemy"? 

I think I am getting there.  My daughter sold 90% of her collectibles, and downsizes regularly.  She used to spend her pocket money before she had even received it "I'll pay you back, Mummy!".  Nowadays her money accumulates in a jar, sometimes without being touched for weeks.  Some days she chooses to shout us all lunch, and then a fresh juice.  My instinct is to say "oh that's so nice of you!  But I can pay for lunch" but I let her for a few reasons.  1: FREE LUNCH! 2: it gives her the opportunity to be generous and 3: as far as spending money goes, buying food to share with loved ones is a much better investment than a tiny plastic figure.

Right?