The Things We Like To Collect
This page is part of my Pastimes series which is its own collection of things that people do.
This page focuses on collecting, or the squirrel like activity where collectors acquire sets of items around a single theme.
Sometimes a collection can start by accident. A friend buys you an ornament for a gift. Another friend sees that one and figures you like them. Maybe you buy one yourself and pretty soon you have the start of a collection.
Sometimes collections involve acquiring every type of a particular thing. Whichever, they fulfil a need in us to hoard, gather, organize, categorize and have the satisfaction of building our own set.
Here is a growing A-Z list of the things people collect. Some of them are slightly surprising while others are more obviously fun to get into.
Antiques
Antiques make a lot of sense for collecting if you have space and can afford the original cost.
There is the joy that all collectors have of hunting down items and building a collection. They can be used to decorate a home. In some cases they retain their original function so an old item can still perform the task it was designed to do.
A chair is a good example. Buy nice old chair to look at, sit on and perhaps increase in value over time.
Antique collecting has a potential financial benefit subject to market fluctuations and fashions. As with all collections the value is driven by desirability, condition and rarity.
There is the joy that all collectors have of hunting down items and building a collection. They can be used to decorate a home. In some cases they retain their original function so an old item can still perform the task it was designed to do.
A chair is a good example. Buy nice old chair to look at, sit on and perhaps increase in value over time.
Antique collecting has a potential financial benefit subject to market fluctuations and fashions. As with all collections the value is driven by desirability, condition and rarity.
Art
Rich people collect art. They buy Old Masters if they are very rich or choose to sponsor up and coming artists.
The art is displayed in fine houses, museums or sometimes stored safely as an investment.
The art is displayed in fine houses, museums or sometimes stored safely as an investment.
Autographs
Signatures of famous people, sports teams, politicians - anybody. Ideally on a signed programme giving a date and place to the signature.
Some people have autograph books and they make sure they are always in line at the stage door. You need to be pushy which is why they are commonly called autograph hunters. They hunt down the celebrity and get that signature!
Some people have autograph books and they make sure they are always in line at the stage door. You need to be pushy which is why they are commonly called autograph hunters. They hunt down the celebrity and get that signature!
Baseball Cards
In fact any sets of cards that were once issued as freebies with cigarettes, chewing gum or other products. Generally, the worse a product is for the consumer, the more incentives are added to persuade purchasing.
A collectible series of cards would be used by the promoter to drive sales and retain loyalty. Certain cards would be limited in issue numbers - increasing the efforts made by collectors to track down that final card.
A collectible series of cards would be used by the promoter to drive sales and retain loyalty. Certain cards would be limited in issue numbers - increasing the efforts made by collectors to track down that final card.
Beanie Babies
A genius marketing idea from TY created these stuffed toys in sometimes limited numbers. Immediate rarity was granted to some of the toys while others were produced in their millions.
They are ideally collectable. Small, cheap to start with and fun to look at.
They are ideally collectable. Small, cheap to start with and fun to look at.
Beer Mats
The cheap card mats for placing beer mugs on that are provided free by the beer companies for advertising.
At one point in my life I had a large collection which decorated the walls and ceiling of my accommodation. The way to collect them was to go drinking in different places and take home beer mats.
The other way was to tell friends about the collection and they quickly added more from their own collections or drinking habits. Fun and very cheap hobby.
At one point in my life I had a large collection which decorated the walls and ceiling of my accommodation. The way to collect them was to go drinking in different places and take home beer mats.
The other way was to tell friends about the collection and they quickly added more from their own collections or drinking habits. Fun and very cheap hobby.
Books
A surprise in some ways because books are just books to some people. They naturally build a collection because they wanted to read or use the book. Fiction, DIY, recipes, biographies - there is a book for everything.
Others collect books written by particular authors, series or themes. Many people must have the set of Harry Potter books for example.
Others collect books written by particular authors, series or themes. Many people must have the set of Harry Potter books for example.
Coins
We all collect coins. In suit pockets, wallets, the car, down the back of the sofa, piggy banks, old whisky bottles - every home has a coin collection of a sort.
At some point a person may look more closely at a coin. They will note the pattern, denomination, colour and date. They might wonder about getting the full set. That is when the coin collecting bug can take hold.
When the cashless society takes hold we can stop collecting coins and collect electronic statements instead.
Great.
At some point a person may look more closely at a coin. They will note the pattern, denomination, colour and date. They might wonder about getting the full set. That is when the coin collecting bug can take hold.
When the cashless society takes hold we can stop collecting coins and collect electronic statements instead.
Great.
Coin Collecting Numismatist Gifts >>
Dolls
There will be different types of dolls that collectors specialise in. Porcelain, antique, Barbie. One fun area are dolls in national costumes to collect from all over the world.
They would be fun mementos of visits or friends visits and an interesting sense of world heritage and culture.
They would be fun mementos of visits or friends visits and an interesting sense of world heritage and culture.
Fossil Hunting
Fossil collecting or paleontology is a free and fun hobby.
The simple idea is to go out, find, identify and collect fossils.
In streams, cliffs, fields there may be ancient bones and other artefacts to locate.
A fossil is organic matter that has turned to stone, Animals and plants may have been buried in mud long ago which has changed over thousands of years, and lain there for many thousands more.
It is fascinating to identify a part of a creature which may no longer exist.
The simple idea is to go out, find, identify and collect fossils.
In streams, cliffs, fields there may be ancient bones and other artefacts to locate.
A fossil is organic matter that has turned to stone, Animals and plants may have been buried in mud long ago which has changed over thousands of years, and lain there for many thousands more.
It is fascinating to identify a part of a creature which may no longer exist.
Fossil Hunting Gifts >>
Fridge Magnets
As a keen collector myself this is one area I know personally.
The fridge magnet is cheap, colourful, fun and interesting. It is easy to get started and harder to stop.
My current collection is simple magnets from all over the world where friends know to bring back a magnet as a gift. The tackier and most obvious image of the country - the better!
The fridge magnet is cheap, colourful, fun and interesting. It is easy to get started and harder to stop.
My current collection is simple magnets from all over the world where friends know to bring back a magnet as a gift. The tackier and most obvious image of the country - the better!
Magazines
Comic books, periodicals, regular publications.
The most obvious of these are the rip-off series that deliver one 'free' piece of a model each issue which builds into something after you have spent a small fortune on the complete collection.
Others build into ring folders.
The best ones are those that are simply a numbered issue. The periodical is published as a real deal not an artificial collecting device.
Private Eye magazine is an example of a collectable fortnightly publication in the UK. People occasionally sell a whole set with hopefully not too many issues missing.
It is usually about having Issue Number One. That's the important one.
The most obvious of these are the rip-off series that deliver one 'free' piece of a model each issue which builds into something after you have spent a small fortune on the complete collection.
Others build into ring folders.
The best ones are those that are simply a numbered issue. The periodical is published as a real deal not an artificial collecting device.
Private Eye magazine is an example of a collectable fortnightly publication in the UK. People occasionally sell a whole set with hopefully not too many issues missing.
It is usually about having Issue Number One. That's the important one.
Magnet Fishing
Magnet or magnetic fishing is the process of using a strong neodymium magnet to pull ferrous objects from the water.
This is a great way to clean up the waterways and maybe find some treasure - with the benefits of being a fun and relaxing pastime.
This is a great way to clean up the waterways and maybe find some treasure - with the benefits of being a fun and relaxing pastime.
Magnet Fishing Gifts >>
Metal Detecting
Metal detectors make a sound when an object is located under the surface.
Anything metal from a discarded can to a hoard of gold coins could be down there.
It may often be a discarded can but detectorists hope for more interesting or occasionally valuable items.
A similar pursuit in some ways to fossil hunting - in this case a desire to find forgotten historical objects.
The term nighthawker is used to describe a detectorist who steals treasures from protected sites under the cover of darkness.
Anything metal from a discarded can to a hoard of gold coins could be down there.
It may often be a discarded can but detectorists hope for more interesting or occasionally valuable items.
A similar pursuit in some ways to fossil hunting - in this case a desire to find forgotten historical objects.
The term nighthawker is used to describe a detectorist who steals treasures from protected sites under the cover of darkness.
Metal Detecting Gifts >>
Railway Modelling
Seriously grown men and their model railways.
People who never grew out of trains, train sets and model railway layouts find that in middle age or beyond they have the time and the money to fully indulge their passion.
Combining their initial love for trains and making them go round a track with artistry, historical knowledge and hobby skill - the model railway enthusiast can spend a lifetime creating that perfect layout.
People who never grew out of trains, train sets and model railway layouts find that in middle age or beyond they have the time and the money to fully indulge their passion.
Combining their initial love for trains and making them go round a track with artistry, historical knowledge and hobby skill - the model railway enthusiast can spend a lifetime creating that perfect layout.
Model Railways Gifts >>
Shoes and Sneakers
A hobby, fashion or addiction? Stereo-typically women may have lots of shoes, men lots of sneakers. The latest Nike offering, a rare pair of vintage sneakers or ridiculously expensive luxury shoes.
Some people need extra wardrobe space for these. Shelves of shoes stacked high.
Some people need extra wardrobe space for these. Shelves of shoes stacked high.
Stamps
Stamp collecting is a hobby that everyone seems to have done at one stage in their lives. The countries of the world, commemorative stamps - the possibilities for building a collection are endless.
A quiet and focused hobby that can give satisfaction and in theory build into something worth real money.
Why are stamp collectors successful in life?
Because philately will get you everywhere.
The picture tries to capture the excitement of completing a page with the final stamp in the set. It was a tough job.
A quiet and focused hobby that can give satisfaction and in theory build into something worth real money.
Why are stamp collectors successful in life?
Because philately will get you everywhere.
The picture tries to capture the excitement of completing a page with the final stamp in the set. It was a tough job.
Stamp Collecting Gifts >>
Toy Cars
Like many collections these are reminders of childhood. Sometimes people still have their old toys in a box and realise this could be the start of a collection. Or maybe there was a model they always wanted and now can afford it.
One lesson to learn which as children we don't know is never to throw the packaging away! Items are much more valuable when they are in perfect condition and still wrapped.
But toys are also for playing with.
One lesson to learn which as children we don't know is never to throw the packaging away! Items are much more valuable when they are in perfect condition and still wrapped.
But toys are also for playing with.
Vintage Cars
Yeah right. Who can afford even one vintage car let alone a collection of them? Very rich people of course.
Apart from the slight annoyance that someone has so much money they can build a collection - it is obvious why they would.
The cars are beautiful living history. A reminder of better times gone by, workmanship, craftsmanship and invention.
If I had the money a collection of cars in the grounds of the estate would be very nice.
Apart from the slight annoyance that someone has so much money they can build a collection - it is obvious why they would.
The cars are beautiful living history. A reminder of better times gone by, workmanship, craftsmanship and invention.
If I had the money a collection of cars in the grounds of the estate would be very nice.
Vinyl Records
Vinyl is making a comeback so they say. For some it never went away.
A record collection is a statement of who you are, or were. Jazz, blues, rock - whatever type of music buff you were - was on display in the collection. For some, the more obscure the music the better.
A vinyl record is a work of art - from the cover artwork to the grooved tracks on the record itself.
CD, DVD and music downloads have none of the allure of a record collection built over many years. Afficionados will tell you that digital does not have the same sound quality either.
A record collection is a statement of who you are, or were. Jazz, blues, rock - whatever type of music buff you were - was on display in the collection. For some, the more obscure the music the better.
A vinyl record is a work of art - from the cover artwork to the grooved tracks on the record itself.
CD, DVD and music downloads have none of the allure of a record collection built over many years. Afficionados will tell you that digital does not have the same sound quality either.
Vinyl Record Collector Gifts >>
Zippo Lighters
Even I have two or three Zippo lighters in my possession. I am not a collector but they are useful presents for people to give with the variety of design themes on the case.
They are a reasonably priced item that lasts and gives pleasure. Apart from the ritual of filling them with petrol and flints - that is just a pain.
Zippos are a thing of beauty. A piece of Americana to hold and sometimes build a collection.
They are a reasonably priced item that lasts and gives pleasure. Apart from the ritual of filling them with petrol and flints - that is just a pain.
Zippos are a thing of beauty. A piece of Americana to hold and sometimes build a collection.
Summary
The squirrel in us means the chance of starting a collection is high. As soon as you have more than one of something - that's the beginning of a collection. From beer bottle caps to vintage cars - there is a range of collections to suit all pockets.
On this site, I am collecting stickmen. One day they will be worth a fortune.
Perhaps.
Created by Mark Ewbie. Last Updated: September 7, 2025.