I Bought This “Ugly-Cute” $79 Labubu Doll for My Daughter

Strangers Won’t Stop Asking About the Labubu Doll!

I didn’t plan on buying a collectible toy. I swear.
It started with a regular scroll through my phone during a coffee break… and ended with me clicking “Buy Now” on a strange, slightly creepy, but oddly adorable doll named Labubu.

Now? I’m the mom who bought her daughter a $79 goblin-like doll — and somehow became the center of attention at the playground.

Here’s what happened.

The Accidental Discovery

I first saw Labubu on Instagram. A friend shared a photo of her new shelf collection filled with wide-eyed toys, and this little creature stood out: big ears, sharp smile, tousled hair like it just woke up from a nap in the forest.

At first glance, I thought, “What is that thing?”
Then I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Where I Bought It

After some light Googling, I found out it’s called Labubu, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, and sold by POP MART — a big name in designer toys and blind boxes.

I didn’t want to deal with the surprise of a blind box, though. I wanted that one specific doll I saw in the photo: a lavender-purple Forest Labubu with fluffy textured ears and a tiny leaf-shaped tail.

So I went to a collector resale site — eBay, to be exact — and after a bit of scrolling, I found one listed for $79 (shipping included).

It was more than I ever thought I’d spend on a toy, but something about its weird, grinning face… I just knew my daughter would love it.

The Day It Arrived

The box was tiny. Almost insultingly small for a $79 item. But when I opened it, I gasped.

The doll was even cuter in person — but not in the traditional way.
Labubu looked like a mix between a squirrel, a fox, and something from a dream. Its lavender body had a soft, fuzzy finish, and the eyes seemed to follow you with an innocent, sneaky expression.

My daughter squealed when she saw it.
“I want to name her… Pickle!” she shouted.
Pickle the Labubu. Sure.

The Public Reaction

Here’s where things got weird.

We took Labubu (okay, Pickle) to the park. Within five minutes, another mom approached me.

“Sorry, what is that doll? My son’s been staring at it for 10 minutes.”

Then a teenager came over to ask, “Is that Labubu from POP MART? That’s the fairy forest edition, right?”
Um… yes? How do you know that?!

Over the next week, I had three different people ask about it — at school drop-off, the café, and even in the grocery store.

Why People Love Labubu

After doing a deep dive (yes, I fell down a Reddit rabbit hole), I realized Labubu isn’t just a doll — it’s part of a whole world of collectible art toys that people go crazy for.

It has:

• Dozens of editions (pirate, magician, neon, holiday themes)
• Hand-painted looks
• Limited availability
• A “so weird it’s cute” design that grows on you

It’s like the Be@rbrick or Funko Pop for people with quirkier taste.

Final Thoughts

Buying that Labubu doll was impulsive, maybe a little expensive, and completely unexpected…
But honestly? Worth every dollar.

Not just because my daughter loves it (she sleeps with Pickle every night), but because it’s sparked conversations, turned strangers into friends, and made me fall in love with the world of collectible art toys.

If you’ve ever hesitated on buying something that feels a little weird, maybe even a little too niche — this is your sign.

Trust your instincts. Even if it’s for a purple forest goblin named Pickle.

About the Author

Ana Milojevik is a lifestyle writer, parent, and curious collector of unique stories and quirky objects. With a love for finding magic in everyday moments, Ana shares personal experiences that connect emotion, culture, and creativity. When she’s not writing or chasing after her daughter, you’ll likely find her scrolling through collectible toy drops or planning her next story. This article is part of her ongoing series on parenting through playful discovery.