Worry dolls (also called trouble dolls; in Spanish, Muñeca quitapena) are small, hand-made dolls that originate from Guatemala. According to legend, Guatemalan children tell their worries to the Worry Dolls, placing them under their pillow when they go to bed at night. By morning the dolls have gifted them with the wisdom and knowledge to eliminate their worries.
The story of the worry doll is a local Mayan legend. The origin of the Muñeca quitapena refers to a Mayan princess named Ixmucane. The princess received a special gift from the sun god that allowed her to solve any problem a human could worry about. The worry doll represents the princess and her wisdom.
This is Do
ña Lucia from San Pedro los Heritos. Five years ago she was working for a company that sells crafts. She was making bracelets and tea cozies when she was asked to create worry dolls.
Doña Lucia taught herself how to make worry dolls to sell in the markets in Antigua. Unfortunately she earned very little at the company and was often not even paid for her work. She decided to quit her job and sell her worry dolls independently!
Because of her bravery, Doña Lucia now contracts with various clients in Antigua that sell her worry dolls, ensuring that she is able to pay the living expenses for her and her five children.
The worry dolls are made of wire, wool and colorful textile leftovers. Doña Lucia dresses them in traditional Mayan style, but she also makes other styles like a bride and groom or a doctor. The size of the dolls can vary between ½ inch to 2 inches. Doña Lucia says when she began making worry dolls she would make 10-15 per day. Today after years of practice she is making 50-75 per day!
Doña Lucia and her family began working with Common Hope five years ago. They are using the clinic and have participated in the Nurturing Parenting Program. Because of Doña Lucia’s hard work and some support from Common Hope programs, there is less the family needs to worry about. To see the progress her family has made brings Doña Lucia a lot of joy. This year she has started to participate in our Day in the Life activities that we offer to visitors. She hosts small groups to share with them her art and profession of making worry dolls, an activity that requieres fine motor skills and is a lot of fun!
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I’m from Springhill, Florida my fiance and I was going to the store and I found this little wooden box with 6 little handmade dolls I’ve been trying to find out about them and a week ago we decided to move to Phoenix, Arizona and I remembered I had them I got them out to show my fiance’s son and realized that the little dolls are from Scottsdale, Arizona if anyone knows more about them please let me know thank you
Hi Samantha!
They could very well be Guatemalan worry dolls. There are many different types and sizes of worry dolls. If you want, you could email us a photo and we’d be able to confirm if they are Guatemalan worry dolls or another type of handmade doll. It is hard to know without seeing a photo of them. If you’d like, you can email a photo to LizzP@us.commonhope.org.
Thank you!
-Lizz Peterson
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Hi my name is amanda I just recently heard about these dolls and I would like to buy some but don’t know where.
Hi Amanda,
There are a handful of online retailers who sell the worry dolls including Amazon, Ten Thousand Villages, and Etsy. If you search any of those sites you will find them for purchase. As a nonprofit, Common Hope does not sell the worry dolls. Typically we provide them as a thank you gift for a donation of more than $25. If you are interested, please email lizzp@us.commonhope.org for more information. Gracias!
-Lizz
I too have the same thing in a little oval wooden box with six dolls inside and been wondering what they are not even sure where I got them from. If you have found out any more information on them please let me know
HI so I’m telling you now that these worry dolls are real amazing things. I got my set of worry dolls about 10 years ago. I am just now using one when I just had a personal worry in my life. The dolls work like magic. But here is a tip… First only use one doll if it is a real emergency worry. Second take the doll hod it up to your face and be as kind as possible. Third once you have told he or she your worry thank it. Lastly bury the doll outside in snow, dirt, grass, once you have hidden the doll never look at it again. Go through your day as normal as possible and the doll will promis safety, and mo worries! Thank you I love you and I too am praying for your worries.:)))
Hi Maddie
Is it better to bury the doll instead of putting it under your pillow?
Can we purchase Dona Lucia’s dolls somewhere? I bought one years ago for a friend and he would like another. It looked like her doll. Is there a source in the US?
Hi Margaret. We would be happy to send you some dolls! We purchase them from Dona Lucia and give them to our supporters free of charge hoping they will bring a smile to their face. I will send you an email.
¡Gracias!
-Lizz Peterson
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
I would like to purchase worry dolls.
I would also like to purchase worry dolls please for my daughters and for myself.
Hi Helen,
Thank you for reaching out to us. I have sent you an email with some information.
-Lizz
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Common Hope
Hello, I never knew these dolls existed I just found out about them today. Can you please tell me how I can get some? Thank you very much
Hi Cristine,
I will email you with more information.
Gracias,
Lizz
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Hello I would love to purchase some worry dolls as I have quite a bit of worry. Health issues family ectra. Where can I purchase the dolls. Thank you so much in advance and God Bless. ❤️.
Hi Helene,
As a nonprofit, Common Hope does not sell the worry dolls. Typically we provide them as a thank you gift for a donation of more than $25. If you are interested, please email lizzp@us.commonhope.org for more information. I am also happy to send the links to online retailers who sell the worry dolls. Gracias!
I would also like to purchase worry dolls for my son and daughter. They lost their father last year and are now struggling with worry and terrible anxiety. Can you please tell me where I can get these cute dolls
Hello ma’am. My great grandma used to get these for all the grandkids when we were younger and until today I forgot what they were and as my mom told me it had brought back memories of when she gave me mine. I’m now 35yrs old and have not had them for some time now I was 12 when my abusive father burned everything I owned. I’d like to get some for my wife and stepson but also for my 10yr old daughter now that I’ve regained custody of her from her abusive drug addict father. If you could please let me know how I could acquire them I would be utterly grateful. Thank you
Hello and thank you for this website! Could you please email me and let me know how i can purchase some of these dolls? I had a spanish teacher when i was in high school who gave me some worry dolls as a gift. But i have lost them since then and it was so special to me. My name is Melissa my email is mumsy530@yahoo.com. thank you!
I want to get some trouble dolls for my granddaughters and saw your site. Please contact me.
Hi just read about worry dolls wanted to know more and I m in India from where do u get these dolls
Greetings! The Worry Dolls discussed in this article are made in Guatemala. Common Hope gets them from Doña Lucia whose trade is to make them. You can purchase Worry Dolls online from different retailers like Etsy, Amazon, and Novica. We can also mail them, but only domestically in the U.S. I hope this information helps!
-Lizz Peterson
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Good Morning,
I am very interested in purchasing some of these. I live with a chronic illness and pain and have friends that I would like to give these to, including my sister who now has chronic illness also. Can you tell me where I can purchase these! I live in NC. Thank you.
Hi Denise,
Hi from Minnesota! Thank you so much for reaching out to us about Guatemalan Worry Dolls. I am going to send you an email with more information.
-Lizz Peterson
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Hi I was wondering if I could find out where to purchase one. My girlfriend had one recently but seemed to misplace it so I wanted to surprise her with a new one. Could I have more information on how to get one?
Hi Ryan,
That is so sweet of you! I am going to email you directly with more information.
-Lizz Peterson
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Hi!
I would love to have one for myself
Could you send me information about how to purchase?
Thank you
Hi Tatiana,
Thank you for asking about the Guatemalan Worry Doll. I will send you an email with more information. ¡Gracias!
-Lizz Peterson
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Hi Liz I’ve just found out I have bresst caner I also would love to purchase some if these worry dolls please lmk
A few years ago my boyfriend surprised me on my birthday with a unique necklace with a little doll on it. I recognized the work and style that the doll was made of at first I thought what a cute little doll later that night I realized what the was. The next day I said the doll was a Muñeca Quitapena otherwise known as a worry doll. He doesn’t believe in these dolls. I would like to prove to him that these beautiful dolls help in many ways it gives me a better outlook & understanding of the life going on around me. His birthday is in 2 months & I would love to buy some.
Hi Katie,
Please check your inbox. I sent you an email!
-Lizz
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Common Hope
I apologise for all the misspelled words
Good morning,
I just learned about these dolls and would love to get a few for my daughters. My 7 year old has been having a lot of worries lately and I think these would give her a little piece of mind. Please let me know how I can order from Dona Lucia.
Best,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
I think a Worry Doll would be just the thing to help your daughter’s worries go away. 🙂
I am going to send you an email with some more information.
-Lizz Peterson
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Lizz,
I am in need of some of your dolls for both myself and my husband.could you please contact me?
I love this story so much and how she took her talent and gifts that were not being recognized or valued and created her own business. Talk about empowering & inspiring! I wanted to know if you could send me info on how to buy from her? Thank you!!
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for asking. I will send you an email to follow up, but because of the nature of her business and the resources available there’s no way to buy directly from Doña Lucia…unless of course you travel to Guatemala 😉
As mentioned, I will send you an email with information.
-Lizz
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Is there any way i can try them for myself ive been hearing about them and i really need something o help me ive been following and keeping up with the dolls.for a long time and now i want to try them for myself…
Hi Hazel. Thank you for your interest! I will email you with some information.
-Lizz
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Hello. I acquired a worry doll and gave it to my then 5 year old who was having a hard time sleeping. Now i have a Niece who is having night terrors and i know these dolls would help tremendously as they did my daughter. How may i go about purchasing them??
[…] pouch you see in the photo has some Worry Dolls from a trip to Guatemala from years ago. I love this sweet tool to help hold space for feelings […]
I have had a set of worry dolls that I bought when I was around 15. I got rid of them multiple times and they keep pooping up randomly I’m my dresser drawers and odd places. Anybody know anything
[…] their careers. Early experiences are like that; they shape us. So, along with a gift of small Guatemalan worry dolls, I impart a message I hope stays with them: “Never Worry […]
I would love to purchase some as I use them in therapy with my clients. Is there a site where I could buy the worry dolls? I would like to make sure that I am supporting a small craft business rather than a big company manufacturing in gross.
Thank you.
Hi Linda,
Thank you for reaching out. I am going to email you some information.
Gracias!
-Lizz
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Common Hope
My son has bad anxiety. He is 10 years old and I struggle to get him to sleep in his own bed. I think this might help him.
Hi Farah,
I know of people who have given a worry doll to their child to help with anxiety (especially at night) and it has helped in some cases! A worry doll does not replace the professional opinion and recommendation of a doctor, but it can be a good tool for a parent to use with their child.
-Lizz
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Common Hope
A friend showed me these worry dolls and I was hoping to get one for my little girl as she is going through a difficult time after the separation of her father and I and also a few to share with friends who are going through difficult times and I think would love them. If you could please send me information on how I could get them I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.
Hi Destiny,
Thank you for your comment. I will be emailing you some information.
Gracias,
Lizz
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Common Hope
I saw these dolls when I went to The Oldest Wooden School House in the U.S in St. Augustine, Florida. I will definitely be purchasing some to gift to my student before state testing. These are wonderful!
Hi Alma,
That is really cool! Very interesting that you saw Worry Dolls there. Thanks for sharing.
-Lizz
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Common Hope
Hello this article is amazing and I am currently teaching my bilingual students about these worry dolls. Is there anyway I can purchase some to show my students. Thanks
Hi Gabriela,
That is awesome your students are learning about the worry doll! I will send you an email regarding your question about purchasing.
Gracias!
Lizz
Associate Director of Marketing & Events
Ive been feeling rather down lately, I’ve been subjected to bullying by my roommates and I need something to talk too. Would I be able to get a worry doll?
I would love to find out prices on your worry dolls. I would love 15 of them.
Looking get a worry doll, how many does one person need?
Hi Hailey,
Traditionally, one person only needs one worry doll. As a nonprofit, Common Hope does not sell the worry dolls. Typically we provide them as a thank you gift for a donation of more than $25. If you are interested, please email lizzp@us.commonhope.org for more information. I am also happy to send the links of online retailers who sell the worry dolls. Gracias!
-Lizz
Hello Liz…I would love more info from you about these. I would love some for my granddaughter so that I could show her this lady’s photo and tell her about her story. Hopefully teaching her how great the love of a mother, and telling her about Dona Lucia’s dedication to make her children’s lives better. We are not wealthy but I would love to teach her more about being grateful for what she has. She is already a sweet and loving child but a great story never hurts, especially when it teaches life lessons.
I know you are busy, so when it is convenient for you. Thank you in advance.
Angela
Please email me some info on where to obtain some for my children, thank you so much
@Maddie Berry
Hi. Your unsolicited advice to “bury the worry dolls” is incorrect, sorry not sorry.Not sure where you got your info from, but it is misinformation.
Just a tiny bit of folkloric research on Google implores people who enjoy these worry dolls to never, ever dispose of or otherwise discard the little dolls after talking to them.
The protocol is to speak each worry to one doll and thank it for listening. Then it is either placed under the pillow or close to the bed.
I would really like to purchase some worry dolls for some family members I have a set of my own from childhood and havent seen any on market if you can email me I’d greatly appreciate it
Hi Lauren,
As a nonprofit, Common Hope does not sell the worry dolls. Typically we provide them as a thank you gift for a donation of more than $25. If you are interested, please email lizzp@us.commonhope.org for more information. Gracias!
-Lizz
I was babysitting for my Grand NIece last night ( 6yrs old) and she expressed some “bed time worries” I came across Worry Dolls and think she might respond to this idea. Where can I purchase one(them)…I’m a bit confused about how she should use it..One/six bury/pillow??
Thank you for any advice you could give me.
[…] worry dolls that we meet at the very beginning of Uncommon Relations Part 1 (irritating Terry’s neck, for […]
[…] our return home I did a little research about the dolls and learned that, “Worry dolls (also called trouble dolls; in Spanish, Muñeca quitapena) are small, hand-made dolls that […]
[…] crafts, are such a special part of Hispanic Culture. Students could research and learn how to make Guatemalan Worry Dolls, Paper Mache Pinatas, Papel Picado, or other traditional artisanal crafts. Sherry (World Language […]
[…] resorting to putting a worry doll under my pillow and hoping she would magically take away all my troubles in the night, I decided it […]