Updated December 31, 2004
December 2003 (Newstream) -- From toy dolls to American pottery, collectors take their hobbies very seriously - with some dedicating entire rooms of their homes to their collections. Some of the most popular collectible items right now are original 80's toys like Strawberry Shortcake and My Little Pony. Cookie jars and enameled pins were also hot this holiday season. And the candy given to American GI's in World War II remains one of the most popular collectible candies on the market - M&M's. One family in Iowa has over 2,000 M&M items that take up their entire basement.
Finding a collector's favorites isn't as tough as it used to be, because there are many online sites that offer collectible gifts and advice, including how to spot a reproduction. Auction sites like e-bay have a large assortment of items listed, and reference sites like about.com offer sound tips for buyers.
It only takes three items to make a collection, so chances are you know someone who's in search of something. During your hunt, you might even start a new tradition for yourself. For more information on collecting, go to http://collectibles.about.com.
