Beanie Babies, Tamagotchis, snapback hats: CMU students share their collectable items
Do you remember how deeply you cherished every one of your Beanie Babies when you where a kid? Or how you could spend hours playing with your Tamagotchi?
These were hot collectables during the 1990s, but the generation that used to hold these items close have moved on to other collectables.
In the late 90's, Beanie Babies sales spiked, making the stuffed toys one of the top collected products in America.
Along their side were the handheld digital pets known as Tamagotchis. These little collectables hit stores in 1996 in Japan and have sold more than 40 million units worldwide since.
The days of collecting Tamagotchis and Beanie Babies have faded, Central Michigan University students are still holding on to other items.
Many college students collect hats, bottles and movie ticket stubs, keeping them packed away under their beds in dorm rooms.
Alma freshman Brandon Merritt collects snapback hats, which have grown immensely popular among teenagers today.
He began collecting during his sophomore year of high school. He has over 13 at school and his collection is still growing.
"They are just so much easier to buy due to the ease of adjustment," Merritt said.
Merritt said his favorite piece from his collection is his hat with the Greek letters for Sigma Tau Gamma, the CMU fraternity he belongs to.
On top of studying and working, students are also traveling more today. Whether they are hitting the airports for leisure trips or study abroad programs, traveling provides the perfect opportunity for students to pick up collectable treasures.
Troy freshman David McCatty holds onto shot glasses from major events and cities throughout the world.
McCatty, possessing more than 100 shot glasses at home, said it all began when family members would travel and bring him back the small glasses, usually relating to the place where they had just visited.
"I have one from Chicago that is at a 45-degree angle since it is the 'Windy City,'" McCatty said. "I also have one from New York City a couple of weeks after Sept. 11th."
Many students find it easier to collect common items that can be purchased almost anywhere; however, some students are still getting original with their collections.
Flushing junior Emily Baker has more than 25 Disney vinylmations — uniquely designed plastic Disney figurines.
The figurines are available at Disney theme parks and online through the Disney Store.
Baker began her collection during her time spent participating in the Disney College Program at Florida's Walt Disney World.
"I worked at D-Street in Downtown Disney, which is like the official vinylmation store for Walt Disney World, and I swore when I started I would never buy one," Baker said. "But then I bought one, and I could not stop."
Beanie Babies might be a thing of the past, but CMU students have not given up on the idea of collecting. Whether it be two hats or 100 shot glasses, students still enjoy showing off their unique collections.
