I truly believe that some things are simply better when they’re smaller. Here are some things I would argue are superior when they’re smaller:

1. Mini M&M’s

I’ve been loyal to Mini M&M’s since I discovered them…which is probably since I was about 8 or so. First off, the blue shaker tube is iconic. But more importantly, the chocolate to candy shell ratio is superior. Regular M&M’s can be a little too chocolatey. But the minis are absolute perfection. 

2. Starburst Mini’s

This is a more recent discovery for me but it easily earned a spot on my list. They’re slightly different in texture, don’t get stuck in your teeth as much, and come without those annoying wrappers. Bonus points because they come in a sour flavor. 

3. Gripz

These were a childhood staple. Especially the Cheez-it and mini Chips Deluxe versions. I remember getting them after soccer games and being so incredibly excited. The tiny size, the crunch, and ability to eat 10 at once or savor them one by one to make them last longer. 

4. Tiny Seashells

I’ve become increasingly invested in shell hunting during family beach trips every summer. I’ll sift through piles of washed up shells or scoop handfuls from the shallow water as the waves come in. And even though I do appreciate any shell I come across, there’s something particularly exciting about finding a perfectly formed tiny one. 

5. Mini Jam Jars

On a family cruise to Alaska, we got individual jars of salmonberry and huckleberry jam. The jam itself was delicious, but I swear the mini jars made it taste even better. I can’t explain it, but there was something about using a tiny butter knife to scoop out the jam that made the experience better.

6. Poppin’ Cookin’

My sisters and I grew up making these little Japanese DIY candy kits that let you create miniature versions of actual meals. From tiny sushi to burgers and fries, you could mix powders with water and make an entire “meal.” The taste was questionable but the experience was 10/10.

7. Travel-sized Toiletries

This is the most practical of them all. I really like shopping for travel-sized products before a trip. They’re tiny and adorable, but also useful. It’s also nice to throw these into a purse so you can use them in a pinch. 

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Some of these things are genuinely better because they’re smaller. Others are just more fun. But what I’ve found is I’m not alone in this obsession.

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There’s an entire market around making things smaller. 

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Mini Brands sells tiny replicas of everyday products. People spend hours watching miniature cooking videos where people prepare a meal using utensils the size of a toothpick. And adults are collecting and decorating dollhouses after they’ve outgrown playing with dolls. 

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It’s not a new obsession. Dollhouses go back centuries. According to Bustle, the earliest versions of dollhouses go back to 17th century Germany and Holland. And they weren’t intended for children at all. They were elaborate displays for wealthy adults. 

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People are willing to pay a lot of money for these tiny worlds. In 2017, a 17th century Dutch dollhouse containing 200 miniature silver ornaments was offered for €1.75 million at the European Fine Art Fair in Maastricht. (The Guardian)

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So what is it about shrinking things down that we’re so fascinated by?

There’s a few possible explanations. 

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They make the ordinary extraordinary. Miniature things take something we’re already familiar with and make us look at them differently. For example, a miniature chair…we already know what we’re looking at, but the unusual scale makes it feel like we’re seeing it for the first time.  

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It makes us feel like we’re in control. In The Guardian’s 2018 article, it talks about how miniatures allow us to create order in a world that feels chaotic. Using dollhouses as an example, we get to decide where every piece goes and how that world operates. You might not be able to afford your dream home but you could by making a smaller version of it. 

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They make little things feel important. We tend to pay more attention to things that we might otherwise overlook. The Guardian also talks about how miniature objects invite closer observation. We’re more inclined to examine details and appreciate the craftsmanship. These mini things also sometimes end up holding sentimental value. Whether that’s a tiny seashell or a souvenir you got on a trip. 

So maybe our obsession with miniature things isn’t so random after all. 

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Some things really do improve the original version, while others are simply more convenient, more nostalgic, or just more fun. 

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I think what’s so special is how much it makes us appreciate things we wouldn’t normally think twice about. It makes us excited about something so simple. 

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And I will forever die on the hill that Mini M&M’s are better than the regular M&M’s. If you disagree, I suggest grabbing a tube and reconsidering.