What's your favourite time of year for dolls?

As a teacher, summer time is nice since I have the time to get all my bjds out for crafting and sewing. The rest of the year is mostly for hugging and taking snapshots. The only downside of summer is that, where I live, it's hot and humid and sunny as heck, so taking my dolls outside is not the most fun.

The pandemic got me back into the hobby after a many year absence, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that. Having my dolls near to hug and play with helped a lot with the quarantine.

 

I DO get really excited around CNY when all of the discounts and new products are announced, just because everyone seems to get so excited about things and it's a fun time to be involved in the community

But as far as actually bonding with my dolls, I think the beginning of spring or the middle of fall are my favorite seasons because it's the best time to go outside and take pictures of them where I live. It's not too hot or too cold, the sun is usually out, and there aren't too many people walking around that could get in the shot.

Although...I'm a really bad doll owner when it comes to giving my dolls photoshoots, as you can see from my singular doll profile listed on DoA despite owning five of them I'm hoping that March will change that when it warms up just a bit and I can take more outdoor pictures.

 

All year, I'd say, but spring is especially nice because I can finally get outside and spray the pieces waiting for sealant and take lush nature photos, but mosquitos aren't yet rampant. I probably won't have the physical capacity or time to do that sort of thing until June or early July this year, though. If I were able to get out there at the moment, I'd love to go take some snow photos, but...

Until then I sew on various projects or craft in my little pockets of time and dream about the things I'll do later on. That stays pretty consistent throughout the year and is crucial for my sanity.

 

I don't really have a specific time of the year that I feel closer to my dolls, but I do tend to get more into my dolls when I have stuff to do, like after clothes I've bought for them arrive or after I receive them and they're blank and ready for a faceup. And that also means that during the rainy months I don't really get to do much, since face-upping is out of the question. So around October or November and in March or April, I tend to have to put them down unless I'm receiving accessories.

 

I've only had my doll for three months now but I can't wait for it to warm up and stop raining so I can take her outside!

 

As for taking my dolls out for pics - spring time & autumn, because of the flowers and falling leaves. But summers too. Winters... snow pictures look nice when one has a DSLR. I'm not good at those xD So,my best pictures in parks are before and after summer, anyway.

As for other things - December is the sales period. Summer time is a time where I realise how much I interact with a given doll (if at all), and if it's time to resell anything. Also, the days are loner, so it's more conveniet to take a photo in good lighting of the clothes or resin.

Any period has it's advantages What an interesting topic btw! I've thought about it several times before, over the years!

 

Def Summer and autumn. Perfect time to be out and about! Doll groups are more active, and that seasonal depression hasn't kicked in yet XD

 

I am very much looking forward to the weather getting warmer which means I can finish the faceups which were interrupted by moving house. I know you can use MSC in cold/damp conditions but I don't like to and it can take much longer to dry.

Plus, longer natural light for handsewing.

 

Winter, 100%!!!

Between Christmas and my birthday, I usually have a good chunk of spending money. Pair that with Christmas and CNY sales and tax season, winter is when I do the majority of my buying. On top of that, it seems like I tend to re-evaluate my collection every year around end of December/early January, and selling seems to go fastest around this time of year, so that gives me even more money to play with! And then add to it that winter is my favorite time of the year--winter holidays, cold weather, the least amount of daylight hours....I'm in heaven! The only downfall is any new dolls I preorder don't arrive until spring.

 

Absolutely Spring. I carry dolls out to the blossoms every year. I've taken some of my favorite photos out there! I really just love Spring in general though.

 

I think my favorite is spring, or if I lived somewhere less hot it would be summer. Any time there is a bit more daylight and I can take my dolls outdoors when there is beautiful plant life and scenery. I try to make the most of whatever the situation, so when it changes eventually I change. I love my dolls a lot all year though, partly, as you mentioned about when you are isolated... They are the majority of my company. I still live in a very closed off world of neverending pandemic life basically so every season has its perks. But I feel best in the spring, which means I have more energy to have fun with them, craft and take pictures i like.

 

I think it depends on the country where I am at… but currently Autumn When I was living in Korea I would say Autumn and spring.

Autumn is my favourite season in general, I feel very inspired by the Autumn leaf colours, atmosphere, seasonal holidays, foods… Autumn is also not too cold or not too hot to take dolls out and there still lots of natural light in the evenings too. I also get usually my tax refunds on Autumn, so it is nice time considering doll shopping as well.

 

Admittedly... I can't say I have preferential time of the year for bjds. I haven't done photoshoots for a while (need to get the camera in for a lens cleaning, it seems), and I've found ways to do faceups without seasonal limitations.

If anything—the one thing that could make something concerning bjds seasonally specific is a sales period/event involving a particular bjd I have my eye on (example for me: when Impldoll does events where you purchase up to a certain amount, and can add a head of your choice as a gift).

 

I got my first doll in November, and I’m so excited to be going into my first spring with him. He’s a faun that I’ve customized into a half-deer and I’ve been dying to photograph him in the fresh green grass, budding trees, and blooming flowerbeds. I think autumn will also be a great time for photos!

 

I think my favourite season to bond with my dolls would be winter, since it's my favourite season in general. I'm not very close to my dolls during summer because it's usually very hot where I live (suffocating, even), wich means I'm usually to tired or not motivated enough to move and play with them. When it's starting to be hot, I just change them into summer clothes and leave them in my cabinet, away from the sunlight. I also don't really bond with my dolls during spring because I'm always busy with work at this time of year.

But I find winter very exciting : with the christmas holidays, my birthday, and of course winter sales + CNY coming, I just feel motivated again, and change them very often, since most of the outfits I own are for winter. I also love looking at new releases and discounted products (dolls, outfits, accessories etc).

 

Right now, I don't have much space, and so I can't keep my furniture out or build permanent roomboxes/displays, which means the only time I get really good pictures is when I haul the crew (or a portion thereof) to a convention. Between only being able to spray sealant when it's dry out for doing faceups, and getting most of my non-box opening pictures at Resin Rose, that makes summer my doll season.

 

Spring & fall are my favorite seasons for dolls bc around here it's the nicest times for photos. There's always a good flower or interesting leaf and the temps are mild enough that I don't melt or freeze while I'm trying to get my shots.

 

Spring and Summer are my favorite seasons because it is when I am the happiest, motivated, and creative! There is more daylight! Lack of sunlight mixed and caused by seasonal depression affects me so badly, which doesn't motivate me to take pictures of my dolls.

 

Any season save for winter, personally. It's cold with no snow often in my area, so I don't really get the opportunity to do face-ups anyway then, though I do have the drive to do so if I can.

 

Spring! It's not too hot yet and there's plenty of light/time in the day to take photos.

 

End of Autumn and winter, because then I can go in forest taking pictures without fearing tics. I'm so tasty for tics! I can't go in nature from may to end of october because of them.

 

I am open to take photos of my dolls anytime that time allows, but I do favor Spring and Fall. The colors, the cooler temps and cloudy days allow for better photos.

 

Probably winter-I tend to take advantage of the sales and I have more time to work on them in general.

 

I love late spring/early summer best, I think--the weather is nice enough here that I get some days I can do some faceups. My area is pretty mild in terms of temperature all year 'round, but it rains a LOT here, and even if it's not actively raining the humidity is pretty high--having that break where I can paint and so on is just so, so nice.

On top of that, there's so many cute outdoor spots for photos! Flowers coming into bloom, not too hot, lots of variety of scenery... Plus more natural indoor light than we get here in the winter/fall! Best of both worlds.

 

Winter, around the holidays. Dolls just seem extra magical during that time of the year, I would normally have more spending money, and the daylight hours are shorter so I can take them out in the evenings without worrying about sunlight exposure. I love imagining my dolls among the holiday decorations and finding things in their size.

 

Winter, by a long shot.

I love doing doll photography in natural light and often take outdoor BJD photos. Summer in my country is punishing, the sunlight is quite harsh and just not good for photographing BJDs, and I'm reluctant to take my dolls outdoors under that kind of sunlight because of yellowing. And it's hot, so hot.

But winter (and our very short autumn) has mostly overcast/rainy weather, the sunlight is weaker, silvery-gold and really beautiful, so it's much better for photography. It's currently winter in my country and I've gotten some excellent lighting and very enchanting BJD photos. So my favourite time of the year is the colder months, mostly for doll photography, even if the weather isn't always great and the days are shorter.

And I like dressing my dolls in coats, long pants, stockings, and cold weather clothes to fit the season. Much more fun than warm weather clothes in my opinion! Winter is my favourite season so it's kinda fitting for it to be my favourite BJD season too.

 

When the sellers have a yearly sale. I prefer to buy used versions of what I want for the lower price and so it lives on. A yearly sale incentivizes me to buy the one that's there rather then search out or wait for what I want to be posted or be a reasonable price. Some people don't realize that you can't price a used BJD at the original price unless it's a limited or highly desired model. Sure, someone might eventually buy it, but BJD isn't so niche that the over priced item will sell right away.

 

Without a doubt, Christmas! We used to set up a small tree and decorate it, and buy our dolls gifts and even wrap them and make them wait 'til the day to open them. We'd take photos and just have a great time. We've not done that in a while (for a lot of life reasons I'll not bore with), but hope to get back into the habit once we've got a house. Without making it about the dolls, there isn't much reason to get excited.

 

Fall and winter are my favorite, because I love my dolls to wear winter clothes. I love the layers, the jewel-tone colors that inspire me during that time of year, and where I live its far too hot in the summer to take my dolls outside. Winter is perfect for that, and I personally prefer winter clothing for myself, so I get lots of good inspiration.

 

Definitely fall for me but I also like winter as I find it much easier to create in cooler weather plus I love the whole feeling of those times of year especially the light as well as the frost, mist and fog that I get here I also find I get the best photos of my dolls at this time too.
I dress very goth normally so I get to wear my most favorite outfits too XD!

 

Summer is definitely a favorite time of year for me for dolls. In my area we get rain and high humidity for 3/4 of the year, so summer is the best time for me to get faceups and outdoor photography done.

 

Halloween. I love the season and all the fun doll pictures that come with it.

 

Definitely winter for a bunch of reasons.
For starters, I like best the winter clothing I have for my dolls, so I tend to change them more often and also to have them near me so I can admire or take photos (better lightning overall) of them more while I'm on the computer.
Also, winter has always been the season when I have managed to save more money to spend on dolls or gifts for them, and I love scrolling through the pages and thinking what would fit them or not and making lists of things I would love to order.

 

They became a big part of my celebrating holidays, especially Halloween, Easter and Christmas. Because it is so hot and humid where I live {Florida} ~ summer months even into September are not pleasant times for taking them for photo shoots outside. But I've taken YOSD and MSD size on outings inside buildings all times of the year.

 

Fall and winter always inspire me to play with my dolls, especially dressing them in cute sweaters and christmas attire!

 

I've only been in the hobby a few months, but definitely not summer! It's not even proper summer in Australia yet, but I've spent the afternoon sweating while trying to sew a pair of doll shorts. Plus Australia has strong UV levels which aren't good for people or resin! Can't wait for the weather to cool down again so I can sew in peace...

 

For me it has always been fall. Its one of my favorite times of the year and also means photo opportunities in the leaves for my collection. Im big on photography as a way to bond with my dolls and the colors of the leaves compliment my style and aesthetic.

 

Every day is a day for dolls

 

Anything that has more hours of daylight than now I think. There's just not enough light in the day to take photos or paint faces or just look at my dolls properly I always prefer natural light as the overheads cast nasty shadows and desk lamps are too dim for a lot of doll-related things. I think maybe springtime is the best, too early to get sweat on dolls accidentally, all the pre-orders from the dark wintertime arriving... pure happy doll time.

 

Late spring and early autumn. Lots of light for faceups and photography.

 

Winter. I’m stuck inside more and I don’t have to worry about lots of sunlight yellowing the resin

 

Late December/early January. I just love all of the end of year wrap up things that everyone does. Comparing what you wanted to do at the start of the year with what you've actually done. And then setting goals for the new year and feeling all fresh and excited about it. It's also nice to get back to quiet hobby time with my dolls after the exhaustion and craziness of Christmas - I really appreciate my silent little companions at that time!

 

I love autumn. Always have. There's a kind of magic and energy in the air right around school starts and up til Thanksgiving.

 

I like spring and autumn time of the year. Not so warm outside to take photos, not so cold like in winter. And in winter is already too dark for photography. And all these autumn vibes, warm scarfs..cup of dolls tea, nice backgrounds.

 

Spring is the BEST. Where I live the wildflowers are stunning in spring so I love to take advantage of outdoor doll photography during that time. Winter just doesn't do it for me when it comes to outside photoshoots unless I'm specifically seeking that vibe. Oh and I love autumn too!

 

When-ever I actually have time to do anything with them?

I can't honestly say that I have a particular favorite season or holiday when it comes to the gang. I'm a very opportunistic, "play with them when I get the chance" type of owner. If that's in the middle of winter? Cool. If it's July 4th? Also good. But then, I'm just a collector. My dolls are one hobby among several, rather than a full-time ~LIFESTYLE~ like they seem to be for some owners, so I'm less focused on them generally when other things have my attention, like the garden or my book horde.

 

I personally love spring and fall, both for the aesthetics for photoshoots and for the reasonable temperatures/humidity so I can spray MSC. There's something so fun and fresh about taking dolls outside for a photoshoot for the first time in the spring, it's a great way to enjoy the nice weather!

 

I have a preference for winter when it comes to doll photography and doll outings because there’s enough light without the harsh UV. Where I live the UV rays are horrid and your skin can feel like it’s burning in the summer (even if you aren’t pale/can tan), and this is from May to October. Taking my dolls out during this time is a big no-no, so times when there’s cool air and plenty of clouds is necessary.

 

Spring is my favorite! Perfect weather for photos and there's lots of flowers for pretty backdrops!
I'm fond of summer too, though, mostly because the renaissance fair comes through then, and any doll I bring is always well received there.

 

Halloween...
I really like doing the October photo challenges, dressing my dolls up spooky and making scary pictures, or even a small scary comic. It's fun to come up with ideas and get an interesting picture everyday. My dolls aren't horror themed so it's fun to put them into that eerie mode one month out of the year.

 

spring!! it's warm but not too unbearably hot, and the excitement for foliage really motivates me to photograph and do stuff with my dolls. autumn is sweet also, cute outdoor photos with jackets

 

Fall, it’s nice and cool and beautiful, I can get out more, it’s just pretty, there is so much room for themes that I can even replicate in my own home as getting out can be a bit hard since I am disabled

 

Since I'm a cold weather team person I prefer fall and winter and of course the spooky season since I'm a gothic girl and my dolls are kinda my gothic babies. However, I like any season because I can create different outfits for them. I'm a fashio victim talking about dolls.

 

I'd say probably any big holidays that have a lot of themed clothing and decorations available, because it always makes me feel really inspired to dress my dolls up and take pictures, especially around christmas and Halloween in particular!
Idk why but something about dressing them up for holidays feels really special, like the doll is a part of the family in a way almost, or it makes them feel more integrated into your life? Which isn't as possible in daily life and play.

Mid-spring, as well as late-summer/early autumn, are also really nice because the temperature is warm enough to go out for pictures and not freeze your fingers off, but not so warm that you'll sweat buckets lugging camera and doll around. Plus the scenery is pretty nice around then too!