Reflecting on the past, sticker trading might seem like one of the goofiest pastimes of the 1980s. Yet, I was an avid collector, and throughout those years, from 1984 to 1987, I passionately wrote to every pen pal about my hobby, which we simply referred to as “collecting.”
Sticker collectors could be divided into two distinct camps. The first group filled their tear-back plastic photo albums with a carefree “slap them on the page” mentality. This method often lacked organization, but it worked for many enthusiastic collectors.
The second group was more refined and strategic. These collectors sought to amass a diverse and rare assortment of stickers, meticulously trimming each sticker while keeping the paper backing intact for trading purposes. That was totally me (couldn’t resist adding a little Valley Girl flair).
Types of Stickers
If you need a quick refresher on the types of stickers, there were four main categories: shiny, puffy, fuzzy, and scented. Shiny stickers came in every imaginable color, including vibrant pastels and neon shades. Designs featured whimsical themes like monkeys with bananas, music notes, rocket ships, teddy bears, and clowns (before they became creepy…though some might argue they always were!).
Puffy stickers often showcased cute animals or playful objects with googly eyes, and characters like Pac-Man and Hello Kitty also made an appearance. Pop culture stickers captured the essence of the era, representing toys, music, movies, and beloved Saturday morning cartoons—think Cabbage Patch Kids, Michael Jackson, Gremlins, Snoopy, Popeye, Scooby Doo, Ghostbusters, Pound Puppies, Shirt Tales, Smurfs, and The Muppets. I had them all.
My favorites were the fuzzy stickers—red lips, skunks, soccer balls, ladybugs, and the occasional Scotty dog. Their tactile quality was simply delightful.
Scented stickers were the stuff of dreams for a seven-year-old in 1985. Each sticker was about the size of a half-dollar, featuring cheerful designs like a popcorn kernel proclaiming, “Poppin’ Good,” a jubilant pineapple exclaiming, “Right on!” and toothpaste that shouted, “Smile Power!” And let’s not forget the abundance of unicorns, rainbows, and hearts—so many hearts.
The Reality of Sticker Collecting
However, the reality of sticker collecting was that there wasn’t much to do with them. You couldn’t really play with your stickers; they were just pieces of paper to flip through in an album. If you were fortunate enough to find someone willing to trade, you might experience the thrill of swapping, but ultimately, they were just decorative items.
As a parent today, I can’t imagine a less engaging hobby. My kids’ interest in sticker collecting would likely last all of 2.3 seconds. Nowadays, stickers are primarily given out at the doctor’s office to help ease the discomfort of shots or dental visits. It’s no wonder that sticker collecting isn’t as popular in 2015; who could blame the kids for not wanting to associate stickers with pain?
Yet, during the simpler times of my childhood, we found joy in those colorful pieces of paper. Perhaps it wasn’t such a trivial hobby after all. My personal sticker collection has become a nostalgic time capsule, and I take pride in the fact that these treasures have survived the years, ready for my children to admire—strictly with their eyes, of course. Sorry kids, those are Mommy’s. Look but don’t touch!
This article was originally published on July 2, 2005.
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Summary
Sticker collecting in the 1980s was a quirky yet cherished hobby for many children, including myself. Divided into two types—casual and strategic collectors—most kids enjoyed the thrill of acquiring shiny, puffy, fuzzy, and scented stickers. While the hobby may seem trivial today, it offered a sense of joy and nostalgia that has endured over the years.