OK. You’ve just got back from that visit to The Happiest Place on Earth or perhaps The Vacation Kingdom. And although you promised yourself that you wouldn’t buy everything you saw, you’ve come home with an extra suitcase full of Disney collectibles!
Now what? Well, once you convince your significant other not to leave you, it’s time to find a place for all that new stuff. And it ain’t gonna be easy!
Fortunately for you, I’ve been in this predicament on more than one occasion, so here are my Top Five tips for displaying your new treasures:
Number 5
Rotation. Let’s be realistic. Do you really have enough room to display every Disney collectible you own? Likely not. So display only a few treasures at a time. Between switches, carefully pack the rest of your collection away. But here’s a tip: Group each type of item or character in a separate box and mark the box clearly. So when it’s time to make the switch, you’ll know exactly where to look!
Come on, I know you’re that anal!
Number 4
Maintenance. Find a dust-free zone. Seriously. Find a dust-free zone! At one time I had over 200 collectibles displayed in a one-bedroom apartment, and the most familiar phrase I heard for two years was ‘When are you going to dust?’
This is where tip number five can help, but more likely you will want to opt for an enclosed display cabinet. This won’t eliminate all dust particles from your treasures, but it may help to extend the periods between dustings. And it allows for some cool lighting options too!
Number 3
Grouping. Eclectic is a nice word, but it doesn’t always make for the best look. It means to select or employ individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles. In other words, you just throw whatever ya got on the shelf without any rhyme or reason! OK. I’ve done this and it doesn’t look that bad. However, if you have a nice room, it might be better to group similar types of items together. Figurines shouldn’t be mixed with Plush, for instance.
The only time this can work is if you’re doing a character theme, such as all Tinkerbell. This approach is usually best in bedrooms or offices, but can be done tastefully elsewhere. But beware: Tacky lurks just around the corner!
Number 2
Moderation. This is closely related to Rotation, but with a twist. Not only do you not want to try to display every collectible you own, but also don’t try to fill every space in every room. This is especially important if not everyone in your household is a Disney Addict! For them, it’s nice to create a Disney-free Zone where they can hide from your well-meaning fanaticism.
And don’t forget the visitors. Now, I know you’re not crazy, but they may be looking for evidence to the contrary. So don’t make it too easy for them to prove their theories about your sanity! Having them open the stove only to find a Disney figurine you didn’t have room for in the fridge won’t help your cause.
Remember: Moderation will make you appear reasonable even when you’re not!
Number 1
Location. Want to break your heart? Here’s what you do: Place your most prized and fragile figurine at precisely the eye-level of a two year old. Then sit back, and in approximately 7.4 seconds, you will own a broken figurine! Want to avoid this? Then follow this simple placement chart:
- Figurines and other breakables up high
- Collectibles with small pieces and display dolls at medium height
- Plush, PVC, and heavy durable items at the bottom
Of course, it goes without saying that any treasure that holds a special place in your heart should either be up high or in a closed display cabinet.
I hope these five tips will help you to enjoy your treasures for years to come!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some dusting to catch up on.
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Good points, Gaylin! Hmmm, hiding things in utensil drawers, I didn’t think of that!
I have been known to rotate my displays . . . I also buy Disney items to use, so when I open the utensil drawer in the kitchen, there is the Mickey spatula, pizza wheel and ice cream scoop! Living in 700 sq feet means paying close attention to how much stuff is in here, cute becomes clutter very quickly!