World Doll Day- June 14th, 2014

The second Saturday of June each year is World Doll Day.  Started in 1986 by doll collector, artist, and author Mildred Seeley, World Doll Day is celebrating its 28th year in existence.  This year, 2014, World Doll Day will be on June 14th.

World Doll Day Logo- share this!!!

World Doll Day started with a simple letter sent to Mildred’s friends and colleagues that read:

“Since you have not heard of World Doll Day? This is not surprising as of an hour ago, I hadn’t conceived the idea. Give a doll to a grown up, a child, or family friend.

Think of it this way and ship a doll to another country. I have always felt that the common doll could be an instrument of world understanding. From the first time I started writing books on doll making, I had the hope that dolls would help make friends all over the world and develop a little love among all.

World Doll Day will also be a day for doll exhibits. It is my hope that all libraries will have a special doll exhibit. Museums will publicize their doll exhibits and have special doll exhibits at this time. Magazines will put out special editions. Doll stores will put on campaigns weeks ahead. Doll Makers will make special dolls for World Doll Day. There will be doll competitions with World Doll Day awards, plaques and trophies.

The logo is made from artist Boots Tyner’s doll representing a child. The child carries a German bisque doll to represent this doll collectors gift. Feel free to copy the logo or have one made.

Everyone can enjoy the fun as there are no fees, no permission needed, no obligations, nobody owns the day, no club, no company. It’s a free- for- all, take up the day, its ideas and fly with it. Lets do it now. World Doll Day.

If you think World Doll Day is a good idea, then appoint yourself a committee of one to do something about it–only then can it become a reality. Would you tell five people, ask them to tell five people, and each of them tell five people and so on. World Doll Day’s birthday is June 14, 1986.

Sincerely,
Mil and Vernon Seeley”

To tell you the truth, I had no idea there was a World Doll Day until last year, when I stumbled upon an informational page on the day.  I love the idea of having a day to celebrate doll collecting and hope that one day, this ‘day’ truly takes off.  I’d love to see all the things Mildred speculated for the day come true.

I’m not quite sure what I’ll be doing for World Doll Day.  I don’t know of any shows that weekend (Puddle, the Pullip convention, is the Saturday before) and while I know a lot more collectors through the internet than ever before, I still can’t say I know anymore than four collectors within driving distance. To top it off, I know our local doll store won’t be doing anything special to celebrate.

But regardless of what I’m doing, I hope you, reader, do something.  You could buy a small child their first doll or donate a doll to those who might not be as fortunate as others.  Or why not buy a collector friend a doll for their collection?  If there’s lots of you, do a dolly grab bag.  Don’t want to spend money?  Have a small party at home and have everyone bring their favorite doll to do a ‘show and tell’.

If you don’t know any collectors, but have a blog or YouTube channel, why not celebrate there by posting your own World Doll Day post? Photographers, post celebratory photos on flickr, facebook and other photo sites! The options are endless.

So rally the troops! Let’s get the word out that this day exists!  Doll collecting is just as important a hobby as any other, so why not celebrate it!

What are your World Doll Day plans?  How do you plan on celebrating?  How do you think this blog should celebrate? Share your thoughts below!!!