Collecting Gonks: A Beginner's Guide

Why collect gonks?

Gonks are easy to collect. They come in every size, price and season, new designs arrive every year, and a group of them on a shelf has far more character than one on its own. Many families add one gonk each Christmas so the collection grows with their children. Others hunt for every design in a particular range. If you're just getting started, read what is a gonk? and types of gonk.

Choose a theme

A theme stops a collection turning into a jumble and makes it easier to choose what to buy next. Popular themes include:

• A colour scheme: all Scandi neutrals, all red and white, or all pastels.
• A season: a gang of Halloween gonks, or a gonk for every month of the year.
• A brand or range: collecting every gonk in one maker's collection.
• One a year: a new gonk each Christmas, labelled with the year.
• Handmade only: knitted, crocheted and felted gonks from independent makers.
• Vintage: original 1960s gonks and their descendants.

What makes a gonk collectable?

• Limited runs. Some seasonal designs are made once and sell out fast. Halloween gonks from at least one high street chain have sold out online within days of launch.
• Coordinated ranges. Garden centre brands often release families of gonks in matching colours and sizes, which collectors like to complete.
• Handmade quality. A beautifully made one-off from a skilled maker is unique by definition.
• Age and history. Original 1960s gonks connect to the story behind the name. See the history of gonks.
• Condition. Clean, unfaded gonks with full beards and their original tags are worth more to other collectors.

Vintage 1960s gonks

The original gonks were furry, egg-shaped figures with googly eyes, made to Robert Benson's designs in the 1960s and sold in many sizes and outfits. They look nothing like today's Christmas gonks, but they are where the name comes from, and they appeal to collectors of retro toys and 1960s pop culture. Small makers have also produced limited remakes inspired by the gonks in the 1965 film Gonks Go Beat.

Original vintage gonks turn up on eBay and at toy fairs and vintage markets. Condition varies a lot, so ask for clear photos of the fur, eyes and any labels.

Buying collectable gonks on eBay

1. Search sold listings to see what similar gonks actually sold for, not just asking prices.
2. Read the description carefully for size, condition, smoke-free homes and any damage.
3. Ask for more photos if the beard, base or tags aren't shown clearly.
4. Check postage costs, especially for giant gonks.
5. Be wary of "rare" claims on ordinary modern gonks.

Compare eBay with other shops in where to buy gonks.

Looking after a collection

• Keep tags and boxes if you might ever sell or swap.
• Keep a record: a photo, where and when you bought it, and what you paid. A simple spreadsheet or notes app works well.
• Display away from sunlight and heat, which fade fabric and dry out faux fur.
• Store carefully between seasons. Our storage guide explains how.

Displaying a collection

Group gonks by colour, height or season, use shelves at different levels, and rotate which gonks are on show through the year. See decorating with gonks for display ideas.

Connecting with other collectors

Gonk fans are a friendly bunch. Social media groups for gonk collectors and bargain hunters are a good place to hear about new ranges, spot sold-out designs and swap duplicates. Seasonal craft fairs and Christmas markets are where you'll meet independent makers in person. As with any online buying, be cautious about paying strangers directly; marketplaces with buyer protection are safer.

A word on value

Most modern gonks are mass-produced decorations, and very few will ever be worth more than you paid. A sold-out design can briefly sell for more than its shop price, but prices usually fall once the season ends. Collect gonks because they make you smile, and treat any resale value as a bonus.

Ready to add to your gang? Browse our hand-picked gonks.