Precious Moments Figurines (No. 12)
With their signature teardrop-shaped eyes and gentle, inspirational themes, Precious Moments porcelain-blend figurines became the definitive gift for religious milestones, weddings, and graduations starting in the late 1970s. Produced by Enesco, the line featured a highly calculated system of annual retirements and limited-edition runs that drove intense consumer speculation. At the height of the craze, early and rare editions like the 1978 piece “God Loveth a Cheerful Giver” peaked at an astronomical valuation of over $2,000.
Today, that exact same “holy grail” figurine routinely sells on eBay for an embarrassing $20 to $50, while standard, everyday pieces struggle to fetch even $5. The market has been entirely destroyed by a massive generational oversupply. As baby boomers downsize their homes, millions of these delicate figurines are being donated directly to thrift shops or sold for pennies at yard sales. Modern home decorators reject the sentimental, dusty aesthetic of the 1980s, leaving Precious Moments as a cautionary tale of artificial scarcity.