Articles In the Spotlight A Date with Destiny: Groundhogs get more respect than dolls—what gives?
| A Date with Destiny: Groundhogs get more respect than dolls—what gives? |
| Written by Stephanie Finnegan |
| Monday, 07 March 2011 20:54 |
Over the last three weeks, I’ve caught snippets of international doll celebrations. In Egypt, amid the rioting and the chaos that streamed across the cable news, there was a smattering of reporting about the traditional Al-Moulid birthday celebration. In honor of the prophet Mohamed’s birthday, sugar dolls are made for little girls (and sugar horses for boys). Made traditionally from handmade molds, these holiday dolls (Aroussa al-Moulid) have lately been created in China and then exported over to Egypt. So much for the time-honored tradition of craftsmanship passed down from generation to generation! At least, here is a photo of the doll being made the old-fashioned way, courtesy of Debra’s Dolls, Mullica Hill, NJ.
In Japan, the centuries-old Hinamatsuri (or Girls’ Day) just transpired on March 3, 2011. On this occasion, families with daughters pray for their girls’ health, happiness and well-being. Little dolls—many elaborate and ornate, called “hinas”—are set up in the family’s home. In past decades, these dolls were launched on lakes and rivers as a way to atone for the young girl’s imperfections or flaws. The dolls were surrogates for absorbing ill health, problems, and difficulties that might plague the family. As they floated downstream, the family’s strife also was said to go away. However, the dolls that are displayed now are so gorgeous, and so expensive, that many of them are simply placed on a curio shelf for It’s interesting that dolls have a central role in these ceremonies. They are part of the event’s very fabric, one of the keys to the festivities’ significance. This got me to thinking, “Does such a reverence or reliance on dolls translate to America?” Sadly, I don’t think so. Immediately, I began to wonder if Valentine’s Day was ever tied into the exchanging Why, then, are dolls so estranged from any particular American outpouring? We have jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween, bunny and chick toys for Easter, and assorted reindeer and gingerbread men for Christmas. But there seems to be nothing that equates with the sole making and sharing of dolls. As a doll collector, I wish this weren’t so. I wish there were a day of the year when dolls were mandated to be bought and bestowed. Wouldn’t that be a marvelous celebration to behold? Unfortunately, the buying and gifting of dolls is just a personal preference. It occurs at birthdays and Christmases when girls are little, and soon fades away as they stare down tweendom. If you could wave a magic wand and make dolls part of a national celebration, which event would it be? I’d like to think perhaps on Arbor Day. There’s not much happening on this date (April 29, this year), and imagine how the granting of a little doll would make it so much sweeter and serene.
Maybe Arbor Day isn’t the best date, but it is coming up in a matter of weeks. It has that in its favor. Perhaps, Groundhog Day? But that seems more in tune with pitching plush pals and So which holiday, dear friends, would make the best time for the trading of dolls? Don’t say, “Anytime!” or “Every time!” (My mother would say that when we would whine about Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. “Why wasn’t there a children’s day,” we’d lament. She’d patronizingly tell us, “Every day is children’s day.”) I’m fascinated to hear what you think. Would it be a well-known red-letter calendar day (Valentine’s or July 4) or something less recognizable (“National Juggling Day,” June 13)? Personally, I’d be afraid that any porcelain dolls would come to a crashing end on that fateful day. Let me know what day you would pick. And who knows? If we all agree and buy dolls on that date, maybe we can get a groundswell movement going. After all, how many people did it take to get “National Kite Flying Day” (February 8) up in the air? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g89NxTTycxc Even though Mary Poppins isn’t in our corner, we can do it, I’m certain! I’m looking forward to an official doll day, and the official Holly Day doll, too!
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I, too, have thought and thought, approached others (including congressional folks), and decided dolls are worthy of having a day of their own! I did not see the "World Doll Day" when I googled last year!
So, after a year of looking into various doll organizations and not finding any recognition, I took it upon myself and created "National Doll Day" for the 1st Sunday in August (which is also "Friendship Day")! Celebrating everyday the value and worth dolls have brought to our lives throughout the generations and various cultures, dolls now have their own day! The "National" doesn't necessarily represent USA as we have a member from Australia already! I hope everyone joins in the celebration! The National Doll Day blog is available at: http://nationaldollday.blogspot.com/
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June 09, 2011
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In 1986 Mildred Seeley designated June 14th as World Doll Day. Boots Tyner designed a charming logo after a photo of Mildred taken when Mildred was a child. This logo is donated to anyone who wishes to use it. Mildred envisioned June 14th as a day to share your love of dolls and to give someone special a doll. Google World Doll Day.
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March 18, 2011
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i think june would bring a lot of bride dolls, but it still has possibillities. perhaps september: it's the beginning of fall, but also back to school. if you're lucky enough to live where it snows & the leafs change color, the fall leaves can be encorporated into the dolls. also a doll is good company when you're stuck inside the house no matter what age you are.
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March 17, 2011
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I think dolls should get their own special day. Some of the holidays you mentioned aren't celebrated here in the UK and I really wouldn't want to miss out ^-^!
I agree with Anne, June would be nice and would break up the long gap without dolly gifts between one Christmas and another 
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March 10, 2011
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three days, where they are further decorated with flowers, fruits, and other sensuous treats. (In a heightened blend of paranoia and dread of eventual singlehood, the girls have to showcase and pack up their dolls in under three days. If they leave them out longer than that, they are ticking their way toward spinsterhood!)
of Kewpie dolls. Though some sweethearts did, of course, give a Kewpie doll to one another on February 14, it wasn’t a part of the occasion. It didn’t comprise the day’s heart and soul. (Interesting side note that I learned about the Kewpie doll, however. The tragically heroic Anne Frank received one on St. Nicholas Day, when she and her family were being harbored in that infamous attic in Amsterdam. I hope that little piece of plastic gave this poor, doomed young girl a modicum of happiness and joy. What small consolation, given her ultimate fate.)
Can’t you just picture the lovely woodland fairy dolls shared every Arbor Day, sealing the importance of . . . of what? Chlorophyll? Root maintenance? Reforestation? I have to admit, I’m not really sure what we celebrate on Arbor Day. But, believe me, if there were woodland dolls involved, like these cute Stephanie Blythe and Linda Mason ones, I would know it for sure. I’d extol and editorialize it!
stuffed animals. Presidents’ Day would be too male-centric, plus I couldn’t get emotionally behind the sculpting and swapping of wee Woodrow Wilson and Warren G. Harding effigies. Also, President Teddy Roosevelt is so joined with the teddy bear that this occasion, too, would be better left to the bear and other ursine artists. (Note, the soft-sculpture people already have September 9 and October 28, which are “Teddy Bear Day” and “Plush Animal Lover’s Day,” I kid you not.)
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