What makes a collection?

Hi there fellow collectors!
Today we are going to talk about what makes a collection. What captures the interest of some people to collect some of the strange and not so strange things that people collect.
Some of us get started on collecting at an early age. For instance. the doll aunt Rica gave you as a child. Maybe it was porcelain and your mother did not let you play with it so it would not get broken, or maybe it was dressed really nice and you did not want it to get dirty, so you put her on a shelf. Some of us are content with having one doll. Some of us feel that the doll needs a companion as it looks lonely sitting on that shelf by herself, so we get a friend to sit with her.This starts a collection!
It's your birthday and aunt Rica sees how well you have taken care of the doll she gave you. You must really love it since you even got her a friend. So... she buys you another doll for your birthday. The collection grows!
Other people get started collecting for lots of different reasons. Some collect things reflecting a favorite food or beverage, and sometimes it could be influenced by regional favorites. A good example is Coca-Cola in the south, although now a days it is an international collectors' favorite, but here in Texas, Dr. Pepper rules.
Others collect for nostalgic reasons such as a game you played as a kid, like Monopoly. It was one of my favorite board games growing up. Since it is good for several ages, I got to play it with my mom as well as my older brother at the same time (even though he cheated). I collect Monopoly games, although I have gone way beyond the original and classic versions. In a way, there is a certain comfort in seeing those Monopoly boxes all lined up. It brings back fond memories of a simpler time and a happy childhood.
Many of you collect as an investment for your retirement. While I don't have anything against that, there is one great piece of advice I got from a fellow collector. Collect what you really like, not just for the possible appreciated value of the item. Simply put, if it makes you happy, then collect it. Don't expect it to be your retirement. If the house burns down, or it never goes up in value, at least you enjoyed having it, looking at it, or even playing with it.
Until next time, happy hunting!