Shelf Life: How Many Troll Dolls Is Too Many? Asking for a Friend

I've started a new series called "Shelf Life," where I share weird and interesting time capsule treasures found while thrifting and antiquing. Or from my own shelves of quirky collectables. This morning on the show, we got to talking about Troll dolls. Specifically, how folks use them as good luck charms while playing BINGO. It reminded me of a box in my office that is home to LOTS of these little old friends.

Thank You, Packrat Mama

Thankfully, my sweet mother is a packrat. She just KNEW that one day I would be grateful to her for saving my beloved toys from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. So she squirreled a ton of nostalgic figures, dolls, ponies, and so much more. We dug most of them out of the attic when my son was born, and he LOVED playing with the Trolls.

Good Luck Trolls

Did you ever have a Troll doll? Little gnome-like creatures with wild, colorful hair that can stick straight up or however you want to style it. They came in all sizes, colors, and some of them even had jewels on their belly buttons that you could rub for good luck. That's how they began their careers as BINGO buddies.

Tiny Pumpkin Troll

My favorites are the ones with little outfits. Either removable or not. Look at this teeny tiny little punkin' guy!

M-Kat

Christmas Troll

I should put the tiny elf troll on my Christmas tree!

M-Kat

Rock n Roll Troll

This guy is too cool for school. I think he may have had a skateboard? I love his little wink!

M-Kat

Get our free mobile app

Look At This Strange Troll

This one isn't like any of the others. Not gonna lie, it is...creepy.

M-Kat

Troll Doll History

Some might say they are all a little creepy. Their faces are very...unique. I remember they were definitely designated "weird" or given as gag gifts and whatnot. As a kid, there was something about their features that I found adorable. I wanted to take care of them and stuff them in my pockets for good luck and a silent sidekick (lol only child problems?)

Trolls From Denmark

Where did these little dolls even come from? Believe it or not, the short answer is Denmark. Smithsonian Magazine did an excellent story on the history of Troll dolls, if you want to read it here. I'll give you the cliff notes version. Thomas Dam was a baker with no bakery (Dam is right!). After World War II, it closed down, and he was doing anything he could to feed his family.

From Department Store Window Display to Every Home in the World

He would also carve small figures out of wood with funny features and expressions for his children. After some encouragement from his wife, Thomas sold his wooden dolls door-to-door until the mid-1950s. A department store in Sweden commissioned him to make some sculptures for the windows for Christmas, and people fell in love with the small "elves" he created.

(Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Troll Collecting Craze

Soon, the demand was so high that he had to change how the "Good Luck Trolls" or "Wishniks" were made. He could barely keep up. By the early 1960s, everyone on the planet had one. Even Ladybird Johnson was a collector. All of the sheep in Iceland were basically bald because their wool was used for the Troll hair.

(Photo by Len Trievnor/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

1980s Troll Comeback

They have had a few evolutions over time, of course. A variety of Trolls have been manufactured and sold by several different companies, which you may find stamped on their feet.  In the 1980s, the Trolls made a big comeback with more of an emphasis on collecting the different styles.

Trolls Nostalgia in Movie Form

Then, in 2013, DreamWorks really shook things up by redesigning and developing personalities for the official Trolls movie. After creating a whole fantasyland and backstory for the dolls, the company brought some serious nostalgia and brought the magic that twinkles in their little wrinkly eyes to the big screen.

Troll Doll Show & Tell

I see them all the time at Consumer Mall or yard sales. Do you still have any Troll dolls? I'd love to see some from the original 1960s collection, but I love them all. If you have any, feel free to share pictures or chime in on the Facebook page or the App Chat. I'd say Troll dolls have a pretty good Shelf Life!