1. Troll Dolls
These wild-haired little weirdos first gained popularity in the 1960s but had a huge resurgence in the early ’90s, Michelle Delgado of Smithsonian Magazine explains. With their bright, neon hair and blank stares, they were quirky and oddly lovable. You could get themed trolls—rock star trolls, birthday trolls, even troll dolls dressed for Halloween. They were sold everywhere, from toy stores to gas stations.
The market was saturated, and the novelty wore off quickly. Despite a recent movie franchise breathing new life into the brand, most vintage trolls don’t sell for much today. Still, people keep them because they’re cute, and maybe just a little bit creepy. And you guessed it—Grandma’s got a shoebox full of them next to the old VHS tapes.
2. Hummel Figurines
These sweet, rosy-cheeked ceramic children started popping up on shelves in the U.S. after World War II, Erik Hoyer of The Arizona Republic explains. Based on the drawings of German nun Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel, they were first produced by the Goebel company and quickly became status symbols for postwar families. By the 1970s and 1980s, Hummels were in high demand, with collectors chasing limited editions and joining fan clubs. A full set? Now that was something to show off in a curio cabinet.
Today, however, their resale value has plummeted. A figurine that once fetched hundreds may now struggle to sell for $20. They’re still cute, but younger generations just aren’t into them. Most of them are collecting dust in glass cabinets or tucked away in bubble wrap in the attic.
3. Longaberger Baskets
If your grandma went to a basket party in the ’90s, she probably walked away with a handcrafted Longaberger basket—and a new obsession. These hand-woven, made-in-Ohio baskets were pricey, but the appeal was in the “collectibility” and the down-home, Americana aesthetic, Kent Mallet of WKYC explains. People bought them by the dozen, sometimes even displaying them on the wall like artwork. The company leaned into scarcity marketing, introducing seasonal editions and personalized touches.
But like many collectibles tied to multi-level marketing, the resale market fell apart once demand cooled. By the 2010s, younger shoppers weren’t interested, and the company officially shut down in 2018 before a recent revival effort. Now those baskets often sit unused in closets, their former glory packed away with the seasonal wreaths. They’re beautiful, yes—but not the heirloom investment people once hoped.
4. Precious Moments Figurines
Those teardrop-eyed porcelain figurines were a staple in many homes starting in the late 1970s, Jordan Unger and Addy Bink of Fox59 explain. Created by artist Samuel Butcher, they were meant to reflect faith, love, and innocence—popular themes for baby showers, first communions, and weddings. People displayed them proudly on shelves or bought them as heartfelt gifts, thinking they’d hold value over time. The sentimental appeal made them hard to part with.
But now? They’re mostly gathering dust. Even though they once had price guides and limited editions, most figurines fetch just a few bucks on the resale market. They’re still sweet, but like many collectibles, they were more emotional investments than financial ones.
5. Franklin Mint Collectibles
The Franklin Mint sold everything from “heirloom” coins and replica cars to Civil War chess sets and porcelain dolls. These items were often marketed as limited-edition investments, with certificates of authenticity and velvet-lined boxes to add to the mystique. In the 1980s and 1990s, many households proudly displayed their Mint treasures in glass cases. People really believed they were acquiring objects that would appreciate in value.
Fast forward to today, and many of these collectibles can be found at thrift stores or on eBay for a fraction of their original price. Experts now agree most were mass-produced and never truly scarce. Still, it’s tough to toss something that once seemed so special and “official.” So they sit in the attic, waiting for someone to realize they’re not made of solid gold.
6. Cabbage Patch Kids
In the 1980s, parents lined up around the block to snag these chubby-cheeked dolls with yarn hair and adoption papers. Each doll had a unique name and face, adding to the sense that you weren’t just buying a toy—you were welcoming a new member into the family. At their peak, fights broke out in stores due to demand. The dolls became so popular that they made Time magazine’s cover in 1983.
Today, most original dolls are worth more in nostalgia than cash. Unless it’s one of the very first hand-stitched creations by Xavier Roberts, it’s likely sitting in a Rubbermaid bin somewhere. Still, many people can’t bear to part with them—after all, they adopted those dolls. And Grandma? She’s still got hers in mint condition, just in case.
7. McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys
You might not think of them as collectibles, but in the ’90s, people went wild over Happy Meal toys. From Disney movie tie-ins to Beanie Baby minis and Hot Wheels, entire sets were chased with the same fervor as trading cards. Some adults even bought the meals just for the toy, keeping them in pristine condition. McDonald’s leaned into the trend, even releasing anniversary collections.
Unfortunately, most of these toys were mass-produced and haven’t retained much value. A few rare items can fetch decent prices, but most aren’t worth the space they occupy. They’re often found stashed in shoeboxes or cluttering junk drawers. And yes, Grandma probably has a whole bag labeled “Just in Case They’re Worth Something Someday.”
8. Pogs
If you were a kid in the early ’90s, you probably remember the satisfying “clack” of slammers hitting a stack of Pogs. Originally inspired by milk caps from Hawaii, Pogs became a full-blown playground phenomenon thanks to their collectible designs and schoolyard competitiveness. There were licensed sets, holographic editions, and even metal slammers that could dent a desk. For a while, they were banned in some schools because they caused too many fights.
The fad died out just as quickly as it started, and today, the colorful cardboard discs aren’t worth much more than memories. Some nostalgia collectors might pay for rare sets, but the market is tiny. Most people just stumble on a dusty tube of them and chuckle. Yep, they’re probably in Grandma’s attic next to your old Walkman.
9. Thomas Kinkade Paintings
Dubbed the “Painter of Light,” Thomas Kinkade became a household name in the 1990s and early 2000s. His idyllic, glowing cottages and landscapes were mass-reproduced and sold through galleries, home shopping networks, and malls. Many people bought prints thinking they were limited editions and future investments. The branding focused on beauty, faith, and traditional values—things that resonated with a wide audience.
But as it turned out, most prints weren’t as exclusive as advertised. Kinkade’s company eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2012, and the art market became saturated. While some originals still hold value, the mass-market prints rarely sell for what people paid. Today, those framed pieces often linger in storage, too bulky to toss but too kitschy to rehang.
10. Department 56 Christmas Villages
These charming miniature towns lit up many a mantelpiece during the holidays, starting in the late ’80s and gaining popularity through the ’90s. Department 56 offered detailed porcelain buildings, from Dickens-era pubs to Victorian churches, and people collected them obsessively. Some families built entire snowy dioramas, expanding the village every year. It was cozy, festive, and felt like a tradition.
But the thing is, they’re fragile and bulky—and they require storage space year-round. Today, fewer people are decorating with them, and their secondary market has softened. Unless a piece is particularly rare, they’re hard to sell. So they sit wrapped in tissue in basement tubs or grandma’s attic, waiting for another Christmas that might never come.
11. PEZ Dispensers
What started as a quirky way to deliver mints turned into a serious hobby by the 1990s. PEZ dispensers, especially those with pop culture tie-ins—like Star Wars, Disney, or superheroes—became hot collector items. There were conventions, price guides, and even rare prototypes that sold for thousands. Collectors prided themselves on having dozens or even hundreds on display.
But most dispensers were made in the millions, which flooded the market. Today, aside from a few ultra-rare pieces, PEZ collections don’t fetch high prices. They’re more fun than valuable, and often packed away as a “someday I’ll display these again” item. Spoiler: that day hasn’t come yet for most people.
12. Beanie Babies
Oh, the Beanie Baby craze—remember when people thought these plush toys would pay for college tuition? Launched in 1993 by Ty Inc., these bean-stuffed critters exploded in popularity thanks to their limited releases and “retirements” that drove up demand. At one point, people were paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars for specific models like Princess the Bear or Peanut the Royal Blue Elephant. Today, most of them are worth less than a Happy Meal toy.
Many collectors hoarded entire closets full, thinking they’d hit the jackpot. The secondary market collapsed in the early 2000s, leaving millions with worthless collections. Now they sit forgotten in storage bins and attic boxes, often too sentimental—or embarrassing—to throw out. Grandma might still believe they’re valuable, but let’s just say eBay begs to differ.
13. Sports Cards (Especially from the ’80s and ’90s)
This one stings a little because it felt so promising. In the 1980s and 1990s, sports card companies massively overproduced baseball, basketball, and football cards, leading people to believe they were investing in future gold. Rookie cards of stars like Ken Griffey Jr. or Michael Jordan were hot items—some even encased in plastic for preservation. Kids and adults alike filled binders, dreaming of a big payday.
Unfortunately, the overproduction killed scarcity, and most cards from that era are barely worth the cardboard they’re printed on. Only very specific cards in pristine condition still hold real value. For everyone else? Those binders are stacked high in the attic, right next to that unopened pack of Fleer baseball cards from 1991.
