Reflecting on my childhood, sticker collecting might seem like one of the most mundane pursuits of the ’80s. Yet, I was an enthusiastic collector, and from 1984 to 1987, it was the hobby I passionately discussed with every pen pal. What a simpler time it was when we called our pastimes “hobbies.”
There were two distinct types of sticker collectors. The first group was all about filling up their tear-back plastic photo albums without much thought. This approach—let’s just slap them on the page—was often haphazard but satisfying for many.
On the flip side, there were the more meticulous collectors, the ones who aspired to curate diverse and rare collections. These kids carefully cut out each sticker, preserving the paper backing for those all-important trades. Yep, that was totally me (had to channel a little ’80s vibe there).
The Varieties of Stickers
In case you need a quick refresher, stickers came in four main varieties: shiny, puffy, fuzzy, and scented. Shiny stickers dazzled us with vibrant colors, featuring everything from monkeys munching on bananas to neon rocket ships and teddy bears (clowns were always a bit creepy, if we’re honest).
Puffy stickers often depicted animals or fun objects with googly eyes—think Pac-Man and Hello Kitty. And let’s not forget the pop culture icons of that era: Cabbage Patch Kids, Michael Jackson, and Ghostbusters, to name a few. My collection included them all.
I had a particular fondness for fuzzy stickers, which featured red lips, adorable ladybugs, and charming Scotty dogs. They were just so delightful to touch!
Then there were the scented stickers—every child’s dream in 1985. These half-dollar-sized treasures included a cheerful kernel of popcorn declaring “Poppin’ Good” and a pineapple exclaiming “Right on!” Not to mention the plethora of unicorns, rainbows, and hearts. Oh, so many hearts!
The Irony of Sticker Collecting
The ironic thing about sticker collecting was that there was little you could actually do with them. Playing with stickers wasn’t a thing. You could browse your album, and if you were lucky, find someone to trade with, but ultimately, they were just pieces of paper.
As a parent today, I can’t help but think this would be the worst hobby for my kids. Their interest in collecting stickers would likely last a mere 2.3 seconds. Nowadays, stickers are primarily given out at the doctor’s office to ease the pain after shots or dental visits. No wonder kids today don’t seem to collect them—who would want a reminder of discomfort?
Yet, in the innocent days of my youth, we found joy in these little papers and were genuinely happy. Perhaps it wasn’t such a silly hobby after all. My sticker collection stands as a nostalgic time capsule of my childhood, and I’m proud that it has survived the years, even with dust and spiders lurking. My kids can admire it, but hands off! Those are Mommy’s treasures.
Further Reading
If you’re curious about parenting insights and other fun topics, check out this article on Modern Family Blog. And for those interested in starting a family, Cleveland Clinic offers excellent resources for home insemination. For a reliable source of at-home insemination kits, consider Make A Mom as well.
In summary, sticker collecting in the ’80s was a blend of simple joys and occasional frustrations. It may have seemed trivial, but for many of us, it represented a cherished part of our childhood.
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