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How to add to someone’s collection

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

Here is how you can add some pieces to someone's collection

Here is how you can add some pieces to someone’s collection

We all have something that we collect from time to time. For whatever reason, collecting things seems to be part of the human condition. Some people like to hoard things that are more overt, like Barbie dolls or sports paraphernalia. Others do not collect items other than photographs … but most people in this world compile and sort some kind of item or another.

For those who are dedicated lovers of collectibles, their collection actually does you a bit of a favor when it comes to trying to think of gift ideas on holidays and birthdays. Sometimes you might just want to give that special someone a gift because you found something you think would be neat to add to their collection. That raises the issue of knowing how to add to someone’s collection while being tactful and respectful of that collection.

The first thing you need to keep in mind is that there are some people who don’t want outsiders adding to what they have compiled at all. There is a group of people who find that most of the fun of getting like items together is that they have to go on the hunt for those items themselves. While it might seem sort of odd to outsiders, these types of people can actually take some offense if you purchase something that goes along with their collection for them.

Once you have determined that the person you are considering would truly appreciate you contributing to their hobby there is some tightrope walking that is going to have to go on. When you take the initiative to add to someone’s collection you are taking part in something that can be very personal to them. 

The first thing you want to do is have a good understanding of what the collection actually represents. Just because you understand that your sister is collecting dolls, doesn’t mean that any old doll is going to do. The same goes with stamps, movie collectibles or really any item that is being added to the group. If someone is collecting something like plaster Walt Disney characters, getting them just any old character may still not really be adding to their collection. 

There might be some method to the madness that you aren’t seeing on the surface, such as the fact that the group is made up exclusively of characters that were only around in the early days of the company. This means that a figurine of Woody or Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story” isn’t so much adding your help as it is adding something that just won’t be appreciated.

Something else to keep in mind is that if you can go into the local Target retail store and find something that you think is in the collection, you should probably just leave it be. Even if the person in your life who is a collector isn’t the Indiana Jones type, its a good bet that they can find that item on their own. If you are going to take it upon yourself to help with these items, go out of your way and really look for rarity. 

If you’re not sure what’s rare and valuable to collectors, check out a price guide book or online and find out what’s hot. There are books and guides for almost every kind of collectibles, so odds are your friend’s favorite topic is covered. 

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By going for the more rare items, you are really accomplishing two goals. The first goal is that you are actually adding to the collection and that will be appreciated by the person you did the hunting for. The second factor is that the person who you just got the item for will understand that you truly care that they find this stuff important.The old saying that “it’s the thought that counts” definitely applies here. Not only did you find what you were looking for, but you put some real thought into that find.

 

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