It might be hard to believe, but not that long ago, the most popular toys were not battery powered, didn’t giggle when tickled, or light up, or make laser noises. The most popular toys were home made, like the rag doll.
Rag dolls were first made from pieces of fabric left over from when clothes and bedding were made. They weren’t color coordinated, and rather than having long, luxurious, brush-able hair, they had a little mop of yarn, stitched X’s for eyes, and a yarn smile. And they were cuddly and oh-so- huggable. The best thing about having one was that if she got flat or torn, mom (or whomever) could just cut open a seam, add more rags for stuffing and stitch up again…she was good as new again. Now, they can be purchased, complete with rag doll clothes, but still have the benefit of being easily repairable and wonderfully unique.
A rag doll could hear all of a child’s secrets at night, and during the day still have time to attend a fancy tea party in the garden. This home made play is something children of today don’t really have to do. Their dolls usually come with some type of play set, with their back story already created. Just pop in new batteries, and the toy will speak, so there is no reason for a child to create a voice just for that doll. This type of imagination play is nearly becoming a lost art. Sure, most children are capable of creating their own stories with their toys, whether or not the toys are preprogrammed, but a lot of kids don’t do that as much as they used to.
Something simple and classic like a rag doll opens up play universes of all types, and they last longer and be lower maintenance than their plastic counterparts. A doll made from plastic with a cracked hand will always have a cracked hand. A rag doll with a torn hand can just get sewn back up. They are hard to destroy. It won’t be the toy that breaks Christmas afternoon, just a few hours after the wrapping paper is torn off.
Perhaps the best thing about a rag doll is that it is timeless. A child who loves a rag doll will have it forever, eventually putting it away for the time when she has her own child who needs a doll to care for. Every adventure that a prepackaged molded doll can take part in is one that a rag doll can have too. However, instead of a mechanical voice crying “mommy” over and over, their voice can alter with her mistress’ whim, and can say anything that the day’s adventure calls for.
The technologically advanced toys of today are greatl, and they have their place in every toy box. However, the simple, imagination fueled rag dolls of yesterday will always have a place in a child’s arms.
Want to find out more about the rag doll, then visit Claire Anara’s site on how to choose the best rag dolls for your needs.
