It wasn't too long before adults became interested in collecting these toys. In 1990, a handful of serious collectors in northern Ohio formed the McDonald's Collectors Club, which holds annual conventions to allow members to buy, sell and trade toys and other McDonald's memorabilia.

Leslie Reiss and her son Matt 20, with about 160 Happy Meal toys they have collected since Matt was little. (Enquirer photo/BRANDI STAFFORD)

But beyond the serious collectors, there are some who held onto their children's toys out of nostalgia, and other grown-ups who still buy the meals - and the toys that come with them - for themselves.

On the silver anniversary of the Happy Meal, we caught up with a few local collectors to find out why they don't want to part with their toys.

Leslie Reiss

She's a real estate agent from Blue Ash, who has a son Matt, 20, a Colorado State University student.

Collecting since: 1984

Number in collection: About 160

Why: "I am a collector. I started my first collection with monkeys and that came because my prom dress from high school was a monkey design, and it was mine and my husband's first date.

"I used to buy Happy Meals because we love McDonald's. And being an active mother, as I am, and having two active sons, we lived in the car. So Happy Meals were always the easiest thing to get because you got a drink, fries and they always liked cheeseburgers. And so I always kept the toys because I keep everything. Then, I just said, 'Why open them?' I don't know why I stopped opening them, figuring that maybe someday they'd be valuable. "

Favorite: "It would have to be Winnie the Pooh, just because it means so much to Matt."

Joyce Howell

She's a retired bank branch manager from Milford.

Collecting since: 1999

Number in collection: About 117

Why: "I do like the Happy Meal. I think it's a good buy. When I was working I used to work across the street from McDonald's, and I'd run over there for lunch. I'd always get a Happy Meal for $2 and everybody used to laugh. And I'd say, 'What a deal. You get a sandwich, you get your drink and your fry and you get a toy.' And then I just started saving them. It was just a fun thing. We just kept sticking them away because we didn't want to throw them out.

"We always got them for the kids when they were little, and of course they wanted to play with them and then when they were gone, I just continued eating Happy Meals. I still go about once a week."

Favorite toy: "Garfield. I thought he was cute."

Darlo Tanner

She's from Union and is a gate agent for Delta Air Lines.

Collecting since: 1980s

Number in collection: About 25

Why: "Really, when it got started there was no real reason . I just started throwing them into a toy box when the girls were playing with them and then forgetting about them. Then later, when we started cleaning them out, I would look at them and it would bring back many memories of the girls.

"The dolls especially bring back many memories of when I would pick the girls up from school and we would have to stop at McDonald's. Our McDonald's trips are priceless.

Favorite: "It's always the Barbies, just the Barbies in general."

Tips for Happy Meal toy collectors

• Know your Happy Meal toy history. In general, the earlier or more fragile the toy, the more valuable it is, says Jenny Brady, vice president for publicity for the McDonald's Collectors Club.

Regional promotions also are much sought-after. Two took place in Ohio - Sea World of Ohio toys appeared in 1988, and Raggedy Ann and Andy toys were released in 1989, Brady says.

• Buy or borrow a book. Several collectors have penned guides. Visit www.mcdclub.com for a list of recommended titles.

• Search flea markets, garage sales and eBay. • Join the McDonald's Collector Club.

---

E-mail lbishop@enquirer.com