A few years ago I heard my friends talking about these dolls called American Girl dolls. I had no idea what they were or why they were so excited about them. Then as they described these dolls, I totally zoned out on how adorable they were, how gorgeous the clothes and accessories were, how well made they were. All I heard was they sold for $100. I thought these women were nuts to pay that much for a doll -- a doll that in a few years their daughters won't even want anymore. I knew I would never ever pay that much for a doll.
So the Christmas my girls asked for them I thought, yeah, right. I went over to Costco and promptly bought two Alexandria dolls that to me looked very similar to those over-priced American Girl dolls. I thought my girls would be satisfied with their new dolls and unlike my foolish friends, I saved money. But no sooner did they have them unwrapped that I heard Sophia say, "It's not an American Girl doll."
Are you kidding? Is there really a difference?
As I griped about how now it's birthday time and Selena is asking for one of those $100 dolls, my all-knowing and full of advice friend Mendy said, "Well, Tracy, you know you'll spend over $100 on a party and other gifts for her, so why don't you just get her what she wants."
Darn her, she was right.
So I told the Sophia and Selena to show me what dolls they wanted -- because of course now Sophia has to have one and is making her Christmas list. They got on the website and after an hour of drooling over all the dolls, clothes and accessories, Sophia showed me everything they had placed in their online shopping cart. She then proudly announced, "It only adds up to $570."
After I came out of my coma, I explained to her that there's no way I'm spending that much. I had flashes of Chris seeing a credit card statement with a charge of over $500 for dolls and images of me packing my bags after he took all my credit cards away and kicked me out. So after we got the list down to just one doll each and some dresses that were on sale, I could breath again.
But I've opened a whole can of worms though, because now they talk about flying up to New York and going to the American Girl doll store and cafe. I looked on the website and they do have some fun activities for the girls and their dolls -- so looks like this is just the beginning.
This week is Selena's birthday and sitting in my home is one of those dolls I swore I'd never buy. She will get it this week and she better love it and play with it until her wedding day.
I had Selena pose with my doll that I had from way back in the 70's. It's still a perfect doll that even pees when given a bottle -- something that I'd like to see her $100 doll do.
13 comments:
There's an American Girl store at the Grove in LA. I've been there and we could take the girls the next time you are out here! I always thought Cass would be get into them, but she never did!
"she better love it and play with it until her wedding day"...ha ha ha! Laughing so hard right now. I'm sure her husband will be thrilled!
I totally have one. I got her when I was maybe 8. In fact, I was so dedicated to her that when I heard they were not going to make that model anymore, I tried to buy up all of her dresses and accessories (they were sold out though).
haha:) It really comes in handy to have all boys! What a nice mom you are to get them that perfect little doll-at least they are cute and dont have weird creepy eyes or anything:)
oh and by the way, the dolls were 100 bucks 20 years ago too, and according to the inflation calculator what cost 100 bucks in 1990 would cost 162 today, so they're actually a steal!
Ah the American Girl!! We own two of these now...Emma's favorite toys on the planet. But it was a painful spend to be sure. I hope they love them!! By the way, a store is opening up in Tyson's Corner next year!
Local doll stores have American Doll parties, you can probably search for them on the American Doll website. The books are fairly inexpensive and your daughters will love those too :D
No DOLLS in this HOUSE. I am so blessed I have 3 boys. Good Luck with those dolls and your girls.
ira
If it makes you feel any better, I have nieces that played with those dolls until about age thirteen or fourteen. At least there's a chance they'll like them for a while.
this is another reason i was afraid to have a girl. thanks for confirming my fears. perhaps they won't be popular by the time m's old enough to care....
and i had that exact same doll, tracy! pretty sure it didn't cost $100.
When my mother in law took Sara to American Girl Place for the first time, her comment was, "It's like they are just printing money in there. I should invest in whoever owns THAT company!" It was pretty funny. Have fun!
She better walk with that doll down the aisle! GEEZE is this what I have to look forward too? UGH!
My little sister saved up her own money and bought one, and she DID play with it. To death.
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