5 worst ways to display your toys

Previously, I touched on 5 innovative ways to display your toy collections.  Today we talk about the 5 worst ways to display your collectible toys and I am sure many collectors have done at least one of the following:

1) In direct sunlight.  Many toys are prone to color fading after being exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time.  For example, the neon pink hair color of My Little Pony toys fade easily to near-white or white after being in the sunlight for a little while.  Hence in general, refrain from displaying your toys near the windows or in your car.

2) Within reach of young children or pets (like dogs and cats that chew on them).  Ironically, they can be two of the most ‘destructive forces’ against your precious collections.  However there are ways to handle them and it’s also about compromise.  You can read more about the ’solutions’ of this point in one of my earliest posts here.

3) Hanging toys above your bed for obvious reasons.  Although I suggested that you could consider hanging aerial-designed toys from the ceiling, common sense is still required to ensure ’safety’ to both your toys as well as to you and the occupants of your home.  You definitely do not want to suspend toys that are deemed too heavy, and you need to use good quality string or fishing line wire to secure them well.

4) In the way of your daily use items.  Some of us like to display our collectible toys on the table, shelves and such where we need to use in our daily activities.  It can be frustrating when your toys are placed on the book shelves ‘outside’ your books or on the study table where they get in your way when we use the table.  You end up constantly having to shift those toys away just to accomplish your tasks and then put the toys back to where they were ‘blocking’ you.  Usually this happens when the toys are do not have a proper ‘home’ to reside in.

5) On your office desk, unless the image fits in with your work culture.  Many non-toy collector people have very stereotyped perceptions about toys being for kids only.  I find such people very sad, as to be stereotyped in their views simply implies that their minds have not been opened to the vast world out there.  A lot of people don’t even know that blogging can be a career in this internet age.  Hence while it is all right to display not more than 3 mini figurines at your work desk, the best is not to display any toys at all, unless your company is in the toys, comics, creative industry etc, where it is a norm.  If not, some colleagues and bosses can have very unkind and unenlightened opinions about you.

To end the post, I have added a bonus no-no when it comes to displaying your toys: that is do not allow your toys display and storage to encroach the personal space of your spouse, family, roommates, colleagues who live and work with you.  It is not just a matter of respect for others, it is also about not letting your hobby become a source of friction with people around you.  Remember, others may not share your passion for toys so you need to accept that and prevent situations that may cause ‘conflicts’ with others.

There you have it, hope that you have enjoyed reading this post as much I did when writing it.  Be back again soon for more such postings!