Dolls house dilemma

You could sell them for adults. There are lots of grown ups who love dolls' houses. A friend got one from her partner for Christmas. She is very creative and has been making tiny items and little dolls, 1:12 scale. She showed me very proudly and I was amazed at her skill.
I think she said her partner bought the dolls' house and all the accessories as a job lot on eBay.

My goodness, Willow, they are wonderful. You really shouldn't part with them unless to a museum or for a fortune.

I have the same problem. I have two massive houses and three boxes of furniture. Since having a stroke last year, my enthusiasm for anything has gone. It was a lovely hobby, but I am unable to use my left hand now and everything miniature is so delicate, I would be frightened of damaging things. The whole lot is worth around 1k to an enthusiast. But finding that one person is difficult and I don't want to lose so much money.

I sold mine on eBay after the GC grew tired of it. I sold it to a lady who wanted it for herself - so I knew it would have a loving home!

I have always wanted a dolls house (am now 66) so feel slightly envious of you.
Donating to a museum sounds a lovely idea or perhaps auction them and either put the money towards a great holiday or even think of donating to your favorite charity. x

They are beautiful. Wish I had the room for them!

My father was a great maker of dolls houses and when he died he had a huge one in his sitting room. We advertised it on ebay and a chap came down all the way from Glasgow to Weston-super-Mare in a van he had hired to pick it up for his mum who collected them. She paid very good money for it and was thrilled when we included all the furniture with it. They are not cheap things to make or furnish but there are people out there who want them.

If you find it so difficult to part with them, couldn’t you always have one on display and rotate them every so many weeks. Each time you put a different one out it will bring back its own particular memories and delight family and visitors.

I think it would be a shame to break them up and sell everything. If you did decide to do this, then maybe you could think about using the money on something that you can look at and then remember how you got it. Or give the money to a cause close to your heart or that has a connection to your parents. With such sentimental value though, I would be tempted to donate them to some where they could be on display.

If you decided to sell, you’d probably get more if you sold furniture and accessories separately. For those into the miniatures hobby, the fun is in building house and then furnishing. Problem for selling house itself is that they can be quite heavy and difficult to transport.

Here's an idea of what someone might pay for them Willow - they really are works of art.
And more here on Ebay

The NT Museum of Childhood is near Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

They are so lovely, they should be on display somewhere.

Not being funny but dementia patients often put things in their mouths so small pieces could choke. What do your granddaughters think, what if they have children? Perhaps sell some and keep some for family in the future, imagine having a great grandchild who loved the ones you kept and how annoyed you would be to have sold them all.

There is a Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh but that might be too far. What a lovely idea about the care home MesMopTop. i can see how that would work with people suffering dementia.

Thank you all for your kind comments - it does make you see things through different eyes. The care home suggestion is a consideration - both my parents ended their days with dementia in care and I know some homes work really hard to give the residents activities to stimulate them. The fact that my dad actually enjoyed the hobby when he was able to is quite poignant. When I was a child he made me a huge bungalow which the roof lifted off of and would take me to the toy shop to buy little items for it - I loved the little telephone and pram I had. My mum was very cross when I gave the house away when I was about 14 - can understand why as I've grown up I'll let you know when I decide what to do with them.

My father made me a big doll’s house which I and then my daughters played with. I love miniature things and know there’s a big market for the houses and tiny contents.
Look on e bay, Willow. You could make a lot by selling your houses. Get a grandchild to help you.

I would think a care home where residents have Dementia would really like these , so many residents could spend so much time talking/thinking about childhood memories .

There’s lots of magazines for miniatures and dolls houses. They’re bound to have a small ads section, or addresses of local groups, then you’d know your houses would go to another enthusiast.

They are truly beautiful. What about offering one to an activities co ordinator, or similar, at an old folks home?? I would think perhaps it could be used in some sort of therapy for some of the ladies and gents with dementia? Even those without dementia could have a lot of joy with one of these gorgeous pieces. Very special indeed.

They are beautiful. A shame to part with them.

We have a very modern Dolls house which has found a home on the hall seat. I try to keep it tidy as everyone can see it as they go in and out. However my grandson likes to play hurricanes and tornados with it! I definitely wouldn’t let him near your beautiful houses Willow500.

I love seeing dolls houses in museums / exhibitions and can stare at them for ages. We have one in our hall and funnily enough it's the 2 year old GS who plays with it rather than his sisters! When one of the GC has a friend to tea and the dad comes to do a pick up with siblings in tow one immediately settles to play with the house and wails when it's time to leave.
There's just 'something' about a dolls house whether they're to be played with or displayed..
I do hope you find a good homes for yours; they're delightful

E bay definitely. They are gorgeous and would attract a lot of interest. Good luck with them.

Willow, now I have seen your pictures, I have doll house envy. Oh how I wish I could give them a home. Let us know if and how you part with them.

They are beautiful willow, always wanted one, never had one, no room now. There will be a home out there for each of them. MOnica has a good thought about a specialist auction, certainly the auction house would give you an idea about saleability.