It started the way many late night purchases do: scrolling in bed, falling down a rabbit hole of childhood memories and clicking order on a pile of things he promised himself he would remember. By the time the packages finally arrived, he had forgotten exactly what he bought. Opening them became a surprise party for his younger self.
The unboxing was shared by @justin_joung on TikTok, labeled Part 1 of buying things from his childhood as a 31 year old.
@justin_joung
A stack of boxes and a long wait
He walks into his apartment carrying a stack of parcels and mailers and lays them out on the coffee table. He explains that he ordered everything while scrolling in bed at night and that the items took so long to arrive that he honestly forgot what was in them. So the unboxing is a real surprise, with a little nostalgia for each box.
The plank from Ed, Edd n Eddy
The first package is a long, flat mailer, and it is the only one he can identify by shape alone. Inside is a wooden plank painted with a cartoon face: Plank, the imaginary friend from Ed, Edd n Eddy. He says it looks perfect. It was not his favorite show growing up, but it was always on and he watched it a lot. And yes, he admits, he really did buy a piece of wood for twenty dollars.
RuneScape magnets
Next is a small box wrapped in bubble wrap. Inside are miniature versions of RuneScape inventory items, including a pickaxe, an axe, party hats and a lobster, all made as magnets. RuneScape was a big part of his childhood and he says he spent many hours on the game. He sticks the axe and pickaxe straight onto the stainless steel refrigerator.
A Poke Ball that lights up
The third box holds a realistic Poke Ball replica. He unscrews the bottom, drops in the included battery, screws it back together and presses the center button, and it lights up. It comes with a metal display stand. He says Pokemon was a huge part of his childhood, with all the games on Game Boy and the trading cards, and that it is awesome to see Pokemon popular again.
The Magic Conch, tested on the dog
The fourth item is a purple Magic Conch shell from SpongeBob SquarePants, with a pull string. He tests it right away by asking it whether he loves his golden retriever, Chewie, while the dog sits by the couch. The toy answers, and he jokes that he guesses he has to love the dog now.
The 99 Woodcutting Skillcape
The last parcel contains a miniature statue stand and a green figurine of the RuneScape 99 Woodcutting Skillcape. He explains that level 99 is the highest level you can reach in any skill, and that earning it gets you a cape. Woodcutting was the skill he spent the most time on, and he has reached 99 in it more than once. He mounts the figure on its base and calls it pretty cool.
Takeaways for your own nostalgia haul
- Start with the things you actually spent time on as a kid, whether that was a cartoon, a game or a toy.
- Be patient with shipping. Some made to order items take a long time to arrive, and the wait adds to the surprise.
- Check for batteries and stands. The Poke Ball needed a battery, and the figurine needed assembling on its base.
- Choose items you can display, like magnets on the fridge or a figure on a shelf, so the memories stay in sight.
Why nostalgia buying is so appealing
Items tied to childhood memories carry a different kind of value than ordinary shopping. A magnet, a light up replica or a figurine does not have to be useful to earn its place on a shelf, because it brings back a feeling. Shoppers who build collections around the shows, games and toys they grew up with often say the hunt is as enjoyable as the item itself.
Buying nostalgia items wisely
- Check whether an item is officially licensed or made by an independent artist. Both can be fun, but they are not the same thing, and the difference can affect quality and long term collectibility.
- Read the shipping estimate before you order. Small sellers who make items to order often have longer lead times.
- Set a budget before you start scrolling. Late night shopping is where impulse buys pile up.
- Keep boxes and packaging for anything you might want to resell later. Collectors tend to prefer items in good shape with their original packaging, though demand varies.
Displaying and caring for your finds
Direct sunlight fades paint and plastic over time, so a shelf away from a bright window is a safer home for figures and replicas. Dust display pieces with a soft brush or a dry microfiber cloth. For anything with a battery, such as a light up replica, remove the battery if you plan to store it for a long stretch, since old batteries can leak and damage the inside. Strong magnets are fine on a refrigerator door, but keep them away from small children and pets.
Where to start your own childhood haul
Make a short list of the three or four things you remember most vividly, then look for items connected to each one. Mixing a few small, affordable pieces with one showpiece keeps the collection interesting and the cost reasonable.
Credit for the original post goes to @justin_joung on TikTok.
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