Show & Tell: Our Playmobil Victorian dollhouse, a Christmas tradition.

I have mentioned before that I never really outgrew toys, right? Well, here's even more proof of it! Yes, this beautiful Playmobil Victorian dollhouse has graced our home for the holidays, proudly displayed by, or near, the Christmas tree for almost 18 years. And it is certainly one of my favorite Christmas traditions!

When it isn't out at Christmastime, it's tucked away up in a closet the entire rest of the year, so you can imagine how dusty it gets. I actually kind of enjoy the whole process of taking it down, meticulously cleaning it (inside and out), and then, the BEST part of all... placing the furniture and people inside!!

The following photos are a somewhat goofy gallery of interior shots (plus a few exterior) just to give you a closer look. Btw, for some reason, I had a devil of a time getting the lighting just right. So if they seem a bit funky, that's why. Enjoy!







Here is the back side of the house, with
"handy" access to all rooms and floors.

 

These lovely ladies are relaxing in the living room and
enjoying a command performance by the pianist
on the left (you'll see his piano in the next shot).

Here is the artist at work, on a piano that really plays!
(Well, technically, it's just an electronic tune when
you press down on the keys...)



One of many maids, Sophie arranges place
settings at the formal dining room table.

Meanwhile, out in the nearby moonlit forest, a small
family of deer is seen grazing along the barren, icy floor.

Jane, the kitchen maid.

Jacques, the house chef.

Maxwell, the family dog.

























Grampa enjoys his newspaper next to a toasty fire.



Unbeknownst to Grampa, a fiendish
imposter lurks in the shadows nearby...

Look out, Grampa... She's right behind you!

Between the den and the veranda lies one of the
bedrooms simply referred to as the Flower Room.
(Notice the detail of the chamber pot sitting on
the floor, next to the bed. Sign o' the times!)

Out on the veranda, a professional photographer
takes a lovely holiday portrait of a fine couple.



Here we see the other bedroom, aka the Red Room,
and it looks as though we've caught a young couple
just settling in for a nice, long Winter's nap... 

Yet another maid, Louise, ensures that sanitary
standards are upheld at all times in
the house's one and only bathroom.
(It ain't a fun gig.)

As we progress up the stairs to
the attic nursery, we can see both
kitties AND kiddies.
(Har, har! Get it?)

Like typical children, this close to
Christmas it's real hard to go to sleep!

Well, folks, that concludes our tour of the Playmobil Victorian dollhouse. Sure hope you liked it! Until next time, I wish everyone a very merry Happy Holiday and a shiny New Year!!


~ All photos property of Anthony See. ~

PLAYmobil, not GAYmobil!

One of my favorite toy makers ever, Playmobil, just released a new line which is 'Wedding' themed. Being a gay man who is married to his husband, I zeroed right in on the fact that there are NO same-sex couples being represented. It's all just completely hetero! Now, I don't have a problem with straight people ("Some of my best friends are breeders"), I just think that in this day and age it ought to be more commonplace to see EQUAL representations of marriage. Even when it comes to toys!

In fact, the earlier our children are exposed to ALL "walks of life" the better! Racism and homophobia are learned attitudes, like any form of hatred. So obviously, things can be done to try and avoid more hateful adults, like creating toys that include EVERY example of real life. Not just examples of what conservative society prefers! And I believe when things are presented to children as just facts, without prejudice of any kind, they accept them as such.

Playmobil is based in Germany and I have no idea what their overall climate is in regards to gay people and equal rights. But, I did write them an email to express my viewpoint. I hope that my opinion is taken seriously and that I'm not the only one they hear from.

If you'd like to contact Playmobil and tell them what you think, here's a link:

http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Link-Contact?id=1

You'll first get a page asking for age verification, and you'll have to give them a few bits of info. But, after that, you can write and send them your message. Thanks!

Going to the chapel of heterosexual love!

Just LOOK at "Liberace" on his white piano...