When I look back on my childhood, it’s hard not to chuckle at how trading stickers was perhaps one of the most ridiculous pastimes of the ’80s. Yet, I was a dedicated collector, and from around 1984 to 1987, I enthusiastically shared my sticker adventures with every pen pal I had—yes, back in the day when we actually wrote letters!
Sticker collectors fell into two distinct categories. The first type took the more casual approach, filling plastic, tear-back photo albums with stickers as fast as they could stick them down. “Just slap them on and fill every page!” was the motto of these collectors. Sure, it wasn’t the most organized method, but it certainly worked for plenty of us.
The second type of collector was decidedly more refined. They were on a mission to acquire the rarest and most diverse stickers possible. These kids meticulously cut each sticker with its backing still attached, always ready to make a trade at the drop of a hat. I admit, I was totally one of them—like, for sure!
Types of Stickers We Cherished
Now, let’s have a quick refresher on the types of stickers we cherished. There were four main categories: shiny, puffy, fuzzy, and scented.
Shiny stickers came in every hue you could dream of, from pastel pinks to bright neons. Think monkeys with bananas, rocket ships, and teddy bears (because who didn’t love a cute teddy bear?).
Puffy stickers featured adorable animals with googly eyes and icons like Pac-Man and Hello Kitty. Then there were the pop culture stickers, showcasing everything from Cabbage Patch Kids to Ghostbusters, which I had stashed away like precious gems.
My personal favorite were the fuzzy stickers—red lips, ladybugs, and skunks. They were just so delightful to touch!
And the scented ones? Oh, they were pure magic! Imagine a half-dollar-sized sticker that smelled like popcorn with the phrase “Poppin’ Good.” There were also cheerful fruits and whimsical creatures that made every kid’s heart sing.
The odd thing about sticker collecting was that you couldn’t really “play” with them. Sure, you could flip through your album or trade with friends, but otherwise, they were just pretty pieces of paper. Honestly, as a parent today, I can’t fathom a more boring hobby. My kids’ attention spans for sticker collecting would last about 2.3 seconds.
Nowadays, stickers are mostly handed out at the doctor’s office as a consolation prize for enduring shots or dental visits. It’s no wonder that sticker collecting has faded into obscurity—who wants a hobby linked with discomfort?
Yet, back in my simpler childhood days, we found joy in those sticky treasures. Looking back, perhaps it wasn’t such a silly pastime after all. My sticker collection is like a time capsule of my youth, and I’m proud that despite the years, these treasures have survived the dust of the basement for my kids to admire…from a distance, of course! Sorry kids, those are Mommy’s. Just look, don’t touch!
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In summary, sticker collecting in the 1980s was a unique hobby filled with joy and nostalgia. Though it may seem trivial now, it was a cherished part of many childhoods, leaving behind memories that still bring smiles today.