Rag Dolls – A Playful Tradition
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Rag dolls were originally made from left overs from when clothing and bedding were made. They weren’t color coordinated, and rather than having long, luxurious, brush-able hair, they had a little crop 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 torn or flat, mom could just open up a seam, add more rags for stuffing and re-stitch…she was as good as new. 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 back yard. This simple, home made play is something kids of today don’t really have to do. Their dolls typically come with some type of play set, with their back story already created. Just pop in new batteries, and the toy will chat, so there is no reason for a child to animate it and create a voice just for that doll. This sort of imagination play is almost a lost art. Sure, most children are able to create their own stories and games 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 kinds of play, and they tend to last longer and were lower maintenance than their plastic, molded alternatives. 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 up again. They are very hard to destroy. It won’t be the toy that breaks Christmas morning just a few scant 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 that with her forever, eventually storing it safely and lovingly for the time when she has her own baby who needs a doll to play with. Each adventure that a prepackaged molded doll can have is one that a rag doll can have as well. However, instead of a mechanical voice crying “mommy” over and over, their voice can change with her mistress’ whim, and can say anything that the 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.
Learn more about rag doll. Stop by Claire Anara’s site where you can find out all about rag dolls.
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