Who remembers Troll dolls? I started collecting Trolls in the 1990’s and stumbled across my wild haired collection when I was cleaning out my basement. I didn’t have the heart to toss or donate them so I did the next best thing and repurposed them into the cutest, kitschiest little vintage Troll planter and vases. Plus I’m sharing some fun history of these adorable little creatures. Prepare to smile!
WARNING: This post contains graphic nudity!
Troll dolls were created in 1959 by Danish fisherman and woodcutter Thomas Dam. He couldn’t afford a Christmas gift for his daughter so he carved her a wooden doll. The local kids saw the doll and of course wanted one so Dam formed Dam Things and began producing plastic Good Luck Trolls (also known as Dam Dolls, Gonks, Wishniks, Treasure Trolls and Norfins). Original Danish Trolls have wool hair and glass eyes and were a huge hit in the early 1960’s. In the decades to follow, different manufacturers began producing Trolls. Most Troll dolls are affordable but can you believe this little Troll with hand knitted clothes sells for over $300!
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My Trolls were made by Russ in the 1990’s. You can spot newer Trolls by their telltale bejeweled belly buttons!
They are hollow inside so they make perfect planters and vases. I added some gravel to the bottom of the large Troll then potting soil. I dug up some rooted cuttings from my succulent planters and they make the perfect hair. If you’ve never grown succulents before, read these tips on the easiest succulents to grow. Water succulents sparingly and mist with water because they love humidity (I mist all of my houseplants with this water mister).
My small Trolls are tiny so instead of planting succulents, I thought they would make the perfect bud vases and their pink peony hairdos are so Troll worthy.
Warning … if you’re squeamish, be sure to wear earplugs when yanking the hair from the Trolls scalps because they do tend to let out blood curdling screams.
If you love all things Troll, check out these fun ideas below (I especially love the addition of a wind swept Troll added into a seascape painting!).
I knew saving my Troll dolls would come in handy 25 years later and proves that if you hold onto something long enough, it will eventually become vintage! This is why my basement is a hoarders delight which you can tour here.
If you don’t fancy Trolls, you can always make these fun doll head planters. The guy with the goatee is my favorite!
Or you can buy a pre-made Troll succulent planter here!
I’m a big believer in that every room should have something ugly or weird in it, something that makes you happy. These Troll planters definitely fit the bill and I couldn’t be happier that I rescued them from a dark box in my basement!
If you love unique gardening ideas, check these out …
12 Out of the Pot Planter Ideas
10 Unique Trellis Ideas
My Garden Projects
You have definitely given them new life. I bet they’re glad to be out. 😊
They love being out but are not thrilled at being bald!
I played with hand-me-down Troll dolls from the 1960s. I think they may be buried in my attic. Now I want to find them. Your Troll doll planters are adorable!
You need to free the Trolls from the attic!
Oh my gosh Kelly, this totally made me smile and brought back many great memories. What a wonderful collection you have!😊
They are weird but smile inducing!
Ha! This is fun! I have to admit, I have made planters out of baby doll heads. I have one on my desk at work, and it always gets side eyes and comments. 🙂
What do your coworkers know!
Yes! I loved my trolls and took them with me everywhere. I made a house for them out of a shoebox.
How cute Kelly! I’m glad your Trolls had a happy home!
These are so cute and makes me wish i still had mine. The bigger one made a great planter.
He’s adorable with his new haircut Marlene! I wish you had yours still too
I find these so much fun. Now I’m wondering what happened to all my troll dolls. Made me smile!
So glad you like them Hope and I hope you find a Troll soon!
You will make your friends chuckle that for sure. But your right about a room need something special . Great idea. Love it!
Maybe I should put a Troll in every room!!!
Fun idea but you’d want to be careful that you did not have a valuable troll in hand!
Nope – mine are not valuable. The old ones are and I would never cut the head off one of those!