daruma! I have one!
The best part about New Years for me is having a new Daruma!. What you do, is if you need something, you color in one eye. When you get it you have one more chance to color in the second eye for something else you want. This looks exactly like mine:
Here is some more info about Daruma:
"The Daruma doll , also known as a Dharma doll, is a hollow, round, Japanese traditional doll modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism. These dolls, though typically red and depicting a bearded man (Dharma), vary greatly in color and design depending on region and artist. Though considered an omocha, meaning toy, Daruma has a design that is rich in symbolism and is regarded more as a talisman of good luck to the Japanese. Daruma dolls are seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, making them a popular gift of encouragement. The doll has also been commercialized by many Buddhist temples to use alongside goal setting."
more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daruma_doll
Daruma are best purchased for the 1st of the year. I have three actually. One is a keychain and made of metal. Another is the normal Papier Mâché style that is small and a larger one. Its nice to have an extra on hand for those emergency wishes! Do they work? Hmmm, sometimes.
This must be someones colletion, notice the eyes are colored in. You can not make a wish without coloring in the eye.
You can find these on amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2/192-9076806-6177729?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=daruma
= new reply since forum marked as read
Thanks for teaching me something fascinating 
I already have a lucky cat made out of gold plastic.
I love Asian religions and customs!!