Meet this extraordinary great-grandmother who has devoted £48,000 to her beloved collection of 27 hyper-realistic dolls, surpassing what she spends on her 19 grandchildren. This retired foster carer finds immense joy in caring for these lifelike dolls as if they were her own.
Not only does she lovingly bathe, dress, and care for them daily, but she also takes them on delightful outings, including trips to theme parks. Her passion for these dolls is truly heartwarming, and she treats them with the same affection and attention she would offer her own family.
Meet Christina Cotgrove, a 68-year-old great-grandma of six, who has invested thousands of pounds in baby clothes and dozens of prams for her impressive collection of 27 hyper-realistic dolls. These dolls have their own nursery where they sleep.
As a mother of seven, residing in Whitstable, Kent, Christina openly admits that she treats her “babies” with utmost care, even bathing them before tenderly powdering and dressing them, ensuring they are snugly tucked into bed every night.In the heartwarming picture, you can see Christina and her husband David, also 68, surrounded by their cherished brood of 27 lifelike dolls.
Christiana, a 68-year-old retired foster carer, has dedicated over £48,000 to her extensive collection of lifelike ‘reborn’ dolls, surpassing the amount she spends on her 25 grandchildren.When asked about her passion for the dolls, Christiana mentioned that she even takes them out for walks in their prams. She lovingly stated, “I’ve invested at least £48,000 in my dolls, including their adorable outfits, bottles, diapers, and nursery items.”
“Before I retired, I used to pay my bills and then spend the rest of my wages on dolls, and everyone knows they’re all I want for Christmas.”She went on to say, “I adore it when people mistake my dolls for real babies – it just proves how incredibly lifelike they are!”
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Despite the occasional shock and bewilderment from well-wishers when they discover Christiana’s “babies” aren’t real infants, the mother-of-seven remains resolute in her passion. To her, these reborn dolls bring immense happiness.Christiana fondly recalls a funny incident when a stranger approached her to admire one of her dolls, only to be startled when she revealed it wasn’t a real baby.
The person ran away screaming in surprise. Although some people may find her collection a bit unusual, Christiana doesn’t let their opinions bother her. She simply laughs it off, knowing that collecting these dolls brings her immense joy, and most importantly, she isn’t hurting anyone by doing so.For Christiana, her reborn dolls serve as a source of comfort, connection, and happiness.
Their lifelike features and meticulous craftsmanship provide her with a sense of fulfillment and peace. Despite the occasional misunderstanding or raised eyebrows from others, Christiana finds solace in the companionship of her reborns.At the end of the day, what matters most to Christiana is that her passion for collecting reborn dolls brings a smile to her face and fills her heart with contentment.
It is her way of finding joy in life and cherishing the memories of her loved ones, like her late father and her sister who crafted one of the dolls.In a world that often emphasizes conforming to societal norms, Christiana remains unapologetically true to herself.
She embraces her unique passion for reborn dolls, recognizing that happiness is found in the things that bring genuine joy and comfort, regardless of how others perceive it. Her love for her “babies” is a reflection of her free spirit and the beauty of finding happiness in the most unexpected places.
Christiana’s collection of dolls encompasses a wide range of prices, with the most expensive silicon baby, Zoe, costing an astonishing £3,000, while others are priced upwards of £250.Among the 27 dolls, some hold a special place in her heart, such as the one named after her late father, Peter, and another doll lovingly crafted by her sister, Patricia, who is 61 years old.
The dolls have their own fully equipped nursery, complete with a wardrobe full of clothes, toiletries, and numerous cots, prams, and chairs. Christiana spares no expense in ensuring her dolls have everything a real baby needs. She even takes them out in a vintage pram, but she is careful to balance her time spent with her reborns and her real grandchildren.Christiana’s obsession with reborn dolls began in 2010 when she purchased her first doll from eBay for £300.
Little did she know that this innocent purchase would ignite a passion that would grow into an impressive collection of lifelike dolls.Each doll holds a unique story, and Christiana takes great pride in caring for them as if they were real babies. Their lifelike features and intricately detailed designs make them cherished members of her family, evoking a sense of nostalgia and comfort.
For Christiana, collecting reborn dolls goes beyond just a hobby – it is a way to honor her memories, connect with her loved ones, and find joy and solace in the artistry and craftsmanship of these remarkable creations.
Her home resonates with the love and warmth of her doll collection, and the fully equipped nursery stands as a testament to her dedication to these lifelike companions. As she continues to expand her collection, Christiana remains deeply grateful for the emotional fulfillment and happiness her reborn dolls bring into her life.
The moment she opened the box, she fell in love.Christiana’s eyes shimmered with fond memories as she recounted the story. Her beloved mother, Katerina, had passed away at the age of 86, leaving Christiana with a sum of money. With her heart filled with nostalgia of playing dolls with her mother during her childhood, Christiana felt it was fitting to spend part of the inheritance on a reborn baby doll.As she held the lifelike doll in her arms, everything, from its beautiful dark hair to its tiny little toes, felt incredibly real. She affectionately named the doll “Chrissy.”
The connection was instant, and within months, she had added a little brother to the family of dolls. From that moment on, Christiana’s passion for collecting reborns grew exponentially.Her collection of reborn babies had a dedicated space in a special room, complete with a shelf stocked with diapers, baby bottles, milk, toys, and pacifiers. Christiana’s devotion to her dolls went beyond simple display – she would even bathe them, lovingly powder and dress them before tucking them into bed each night.
The process of building her impressive collection took Christiana five years, and her retired engineer husband, David, aged 68, supported her hobby wholeheartedly. He even refurbished vintage prams for her beloved reborns.Though her devotion to her dolls was immense, it came at the cost of personal indulgence.
Christiana willingly sacrificed holidays and treats for herself, channeling the funds towards her collection. She hadn’t been on a holiday with David for years, but her passion for reborn dolls brought her immense joy and fulfillment.Christiana’s eyes twinkled as she spoke about her collection, sharing the stories behind each doll and the love they brought into her life. For her, the dolls represented a beautiful connection to her late mother and the cherished memories of their shared playtime.
Her husband, David, proudly stood by her side, knowing that these dolls had become a source of happiness and purpose for Christiana. Their home might lack lavish vacations, but the warmth and love shared in the presence of these lifelike creations made every sacrifice worthwhile.
When I was a young mother, I couldn’t afford to splurge on my kids, but now, I can indulge myself and my passion for dolls!Spending time with my grandchildren is just as important to me as caring for my reborns, although I admit I might spend a little more money on the dolls.Christiana has five children, aged 34 to 48, and two adopted children, both 18.
The family had mixed feelings about the new additions to the household – her older children found the dolls rather creepy. While some of her grandchildren enjoy playing with the dolls, others are not as keen.In 2011, Christiana was forced to retire from her job as a nurse and foster caregiver due to health issues, including heart and kidney problems. Confined to her house, she turned to her dolls for comfort, and her collection quickly grew into an obsession.
Among her 27 dolls, some hold special significance for her, like the one named after her late father, Peter, and another made by her own sister, Patricia, who is 61 years old.Christiana has willingly sacrificed holidays and treats for herself to channel her resources into fulfilling her passion for reborn dolls. These lifelike creations bring her comfort and joy, making her life more meaningful and fulfilling.Overall, her journey as a devoted collector of reborn dolls reflects the love she has for her family, her joy in caring for others, and her unwavering dedication to the things that bring her happiness.
Christiana shared a heartwarming story about her sister’s surprising love for reborn dolls during her visit. Despite her sister’s initial disinterest in dolls, she couldn’t resist falling in love with one of Christiana’s reborns. Touched by her sister’s newfound affection, Christiana decided to gift her the doll to take back home to Australia.
In a heartwarming twist, Christiana received an unexpected package from Patricia, her sister, shortly after. Patricia had learned the art of making reborn dolls and sent Christiana a beautiful new baby doll to replace the one she had given her.
The gesture touched Christiana deeply, and she cherished the new addition to her collection.Among Christiana’s collection, there were also unique dolls like her tiger baby, Regi-T, a custom creation by an amazing reborn artist from America.
Her passion for collecting these lifelike dolls shows no signs of stopping.Christiana explained that having these dolls around brings her a sense of comfort, resembling the care she might provide to real babies. Plus, she jokingly admits that collecting reborns means she can enjoy the joys of taking care of infants without dealing with any of the messier aspects.Her collection of reborn dolls not only brings her joy but also serves as a beautiful reminder of the special bond she shares with her sister, Patricia.