AG doll store question

[emmababy]

We are going to Chicago for T-Giving this year. First time....DD has been asking for a AG doll for Christmas but we settled on a Target doll.

I set a tea time at the store.

Here is my dilemma:
1) Keep tea time and give her doll to her early
OR
2) Cancel the tea time, wait to giver her doll to her until Christmas. Instead we walk around the store and let her pick out an outfit or something like that...

Help me decide!

 

[Ashlander]

Do you think going to the store without the doll will make her want one even more? My girls got their dolls first and then we went to the store.

My vote is to give her the doll early and keep the tea appointment. The tea is so much fun and you and your daughter will LOVE IT!

 

[RitaE]

We are going to Chicago for T-Giving this year. First time....DD has been asking for a AG doll for Christmas but we settled on a Target doll.

I set a tea time at the store.

Here is my dilemma:
1) Keep tea time and give her doll to her early
OR
2) Cancel the tea time, wait to giver her doll to her until Christmas. Instead we walk around the store and let her pick out an outfit or something like that...

Help me decide!

I'd make sure she knows going in what she is going to be allowed to buy or not buy. You can get a loaner doll to visit your table and have tea with your daughter if you want to go that route.

I'm just not sure if buying an outfit when she doesn't have a doll yet to wear it will be that much fun for her. But kids are all over the map on how they feel about things. Have you considered letting her choose one of the mini-dolls when she is at the store? You can buy them much cheaper through Amazon but it is still a pretty low priced purchase in the American Girl store and my little great nieces really like to play with the mini dolls too.

 

[Fyrefly]

I have no idea how old your daughter is and if a surprise or anything is still in the works but I'm wondering:

1) If you just *happen* to go into the store and get tea and an outfit then she's going to know she's getting a doll. So if you're doing that I'd just give it to her early, it's probably more fun with a doll of her own.

2) Is she going to be able to tell? Obviously you have to get whats in her budget but I've heard the clothes fit somewhat iffy on the Target dolls and at least the last time I saw them the difference was easy to spot. Just thinking if you're trying to "get away with" a cheaper doll then going to a store full of the real deal might not be the best idea. Better to give her the doll at home with accessories and clothes already.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Just so you know those Target dolls in no way compare to AG dolls. They are cheap and there is a reason for that. I know because thats how we started out.
The Target dolls hair was matted out of control in less than a month.
We ended up buying DD an AG doll earlier because the Target doll looked so bad.
Its not that she didn't take care of it, its just that they don't wear well so to speak. IMOP.

I took my DD to the Chicago AG store last October. It is a serious place. I went with a limit for DD to spend and it took everything in my power not to go crazy and buy her whatever she and I wanted. LOL

We did lunch, got the dolls hair done, ears pierced, got her picture taken and bought a ton of outfits. We knew we probably wouldn't go back again and it was a special trip for DD's 8th birthday.

I may just skip it if I was you. Depending on how old your daughter is , take her back when she has an AG doll. If it is a budget issue and you don't think you'll ever get back, it is a truely fun and amazing place for little girls "and moms too", so go just for the tea and walk around.

 

[JessB320]

Here's my 2 cents, though it may make you even more indecisive lol!
We are also stepping into the AG world with our daughter. The tea idea is great and while it would be fun with a loaner doll, it's going to be much more memorable and special with her own doll. If you will be back or will be in another city this year with an AG store I would do tea once she has her own doll. Now on to the doll. I know you first look at the price tag and about faint. It took me about 6 months to get over the sticker shock. That said if you know she will be interested in dolls for a while yet (which it sounds like she will ) taking the leap to an actual AG doll may save you more in the long run. They do last forever, and the doll hospital can fix them as well. I have a couple AG dolls from the late 80's that are still in pretty amazing condition. I would look on eBay. They have lots and lots of listings for them. You should be able to get one for $60-$70. We decided to get our daughter the actual AG doll but buy mostly knock off clothes and props for now. Target, hobby lobby, and micheals all have some cute things that fit/work well with the AG dolls at a fraction of the cost. Good luck with whatever you decide!!

 

[cinderellamom123]

I have no idea how old your daughter is and if a surprise or anything is still in the works but I'm wondering:

1) If you just *happen* to go into the store and get tea and an outfit then she's going to know she's getting a doll. So if you're doing that I'd just give it to her early, it's probably more fun with a doll of her own.

2) Is she going to be able to tell? Obviously you have to get whats in her budget but I've heard the clothes fit somewhat iffy on the Target dolls and at least the last time I saw them the difference was easy to spot. Just thinking if you're trying to "get away with" a cheaper doll then going to a store full of the real deal might not be the best idea. Better to give her the doll at home with accessories and clothes already.

Believe me, I am all about budget. However, I agree, kids very young know the difference from a AG girl and a doll from another store. Will bringing a non-AG to the tea make her feel bad? One of the fun parts about brining your "girl" is to find her on the sales floor and look for all her "stuff". How will she react if she cannot find her match.

On the other hand, if you hold off giving her the target doll and "borrow" one of their dolls, I would think that by going to the tea you are sending her the signal that she will be getting a doll from AG. If money is an issue I would say skip the tea and put that money towards the doll. I am sure that she would have a ball picking out the doll in the store and saving it for christmas.

 

[JessB320]

Believe me, I am all about budget. However, I agree, kids very young know the difference from a AG girl and a doll from another store. Will bringing a non-AG to the tea make her feel bad? One of the fun parts about brining your "girl" is to find her on the sales floor and look for all her "stuff". How will she react if she cannot find her match.

On the other hand, if you hold off giving her the target doll and "borrow" one of their dolls, I would think that by going to the tea you are sending her the signal that she will be getting a doll from AG. If money is an issue I would say skip the tea and put that money towards the doll. I am sure that she would have a ball picking out the doll in the store and saving it for christmas.

This is a great idea, that way you still get to take her to the store! You can window shop and see what doll she really connects with you could then order the doll without her knowing and have it there for Christmas

 

[taymaesmom]

I have to agree, skip the tea and spend that money on getting an actual American girl doll. Believe me she will know and so will her friends, and if they have real dolls and she doesn't she may feel bad. AG Dolls are a huge thing here and both my girls were into them, they would have felt horrible not having a real doll and their friends did. Now I'm not saying buy one just to "keep up with the Jones's" but consider her feelings in the matter.

The AG store in Chicago is amazing, I was there just a few weeks ago and both my dds were begging for things. My girls are now 18 and 13 and long past playing with their dolls but the draw to buy stuff there is unbelievable. I just went in to purchase my niece a christmas present and spent at least 30 mins deciding between which pjs for a doll. So dont go expecting her not to want things because its every little girls paradise!

 

[Cinderella909]

My DGD has been asking about an AG doll for over a year. I really don't think that many of her friends have them. My DGD and I did the Princess tea and got the Disney Girl doll, which I had thought would be her AG doll. While she loves her Disney Girl doll, she was disappointed that she didn't look like her, with brown hair and brown eyes. So, looks like she knows enough about AG doll, and so she will most likely be getting one this christmas.

I would think it would be terrilbly disappointing for a little girl to go the AG store and not have an AG doll. I would much rather invest in the AG doll and buy clothes else where. For the price of the clothes from Target, Etsey, etc you could save the difference for the doll.

I love taking my DGD for tea, as it's always such a special time for us. Whatever you decide will be fun.

Karen

 

[bear_mom]

I have to agree with the pp, I would bite the bullet and get her a real AG doll, especially after going to the store. There is a big difference between the dolls at Target and the AG dolls.

We have visited the store before and always go in with clear expectations of what we will and won't be buying.

The great thing about AG dolls is that they make gift giving easy for many, many years. Over the course of 5 years dd have acquired quite a collection.

Emily

 

[libinatorsmom]

My opinion is skip the tea and put the money into a real AG doll - they are so much nicer and so much better then a "target" or Our generation" doll... its amazing how different... that being said I do by the off brand accessories for my DD's dolls and handmade clothes etc. but the dolls do not compare! And honestly She will know her doll isnt an AG doll if you give her the doll early and take it too the tea at the AG store - the store is so much fun to just look around and give her the bug!!! but I would be open with her that you are JUST looking before you walk into that magical place! FYI it will be INSANE over thanksgiving break!!!! I mean INSANE!!! so be prepared for that

 

[ceecee]

I have to agree, skip the tea and spend that money on getting an actual American girl doll. Believe me she will know and so will her friends, and if they have real dolls and she doesn't she may feel bad. AG Dolls are a huge thing here and both my girls were into them, they would have felt horrible not having a real doll and their friends did. Now I'm not saying buy one just to "keep up with the Jones's" but consider her feelings in the matter.

The AG store in Chicago is amazing, I was there just a few weeks ago and both my dds were begging for things. My girls are now 18 and 13 and long past playing with their dolls but the draw to buy stuff there is unbelievable. I just went in to purchase my niece a christmas present and spent at least 30 mins deciding between which pjs for a doll. So dont go expecting her not to want things because its every little girls paradise!

I agree, put the $ towards the real deal...the difference is HUGE!!! The Target dolls don't even come close. What you save on the tea will pay 1/2 the doll cost.

 

[TnTWalter]

agree with everyone. Don't take her to that store and then not get her the AG doll.

Just skip it if the budget won't allow.

 

[NDMOM]

As a mom with a daughter who loves AG doll, I agree that if money is an issue, get her a doll instead of the tea. We have done the tea party/lunch a few times. It was nice, but her favorite thing was to pick out a new doll. Kinda embarrassed to say this, but my daughter has 30 AG dolls. They are very good quality and she takes wonderful care of them. She is now 15 and looking forward to getti g the new historical doll for Christmas. I guess I'd rather buy her dolls than cell phones and her own computer.
Oh, and yes, she has only child syndrome - so she gets a bit spoiled - but she does have some very serious medical problems where she can't be a normal kid, so the dolls at that much more important to her.
So much better quality than the Target dolls. Do a special dinner somewhere else, and get the doll.

 

[Patience]

I agree with the others. I would not take her to the AG store with a Target doll. Skip the tea and let her pick out a doll in the store instead. Buy her some accessories for the doll from Target for Christmas. Some of the accessories from Target are really cute. I especially like the doll carrier, the bed and the beauty shop chair.

 

[talulabelle]

I've been to the ny store, not Chicago, but I'm guessing they work the same...you don't need a doll for the trip - they have one of EVERY doll they sell in the front of the restaurant and your DD can choose which ever she would like to join her for tea. They put it in a little clip on high chair and the doll gets her own tea set- so cute! I wouldn't skip the tea- it is such a nice experience. But I think after she is surrounded by that much American girl- she will notice the difference in a target doll from a mile away. I'm afraid she will be disappointed at Christmas. The target accessories are great, but if there is any way you can make it work, j would try to get the ag doll. It would be really nice if she received which ever one joined her for tea at the store. Maybe look on ebay? Girls who gave taken great care of their dolls outgrow them all the time.

 

[kkandaj]

I agree with the posters above. Save the money from going to the tea party and spend it on the real AG doll. I am super thrifty (cheap), but DD has 4 AG dolls (two bitty babies, one girl twin and Cecile) and DS has the boy twin. For all the money I have spent on toys, they have been the best value. DD got her first bitty baby for her 2nd Christmas (20 months) and still plays with her every day at 6.5 years. We buy lots of clothes from Michaels/JoAnns with coupons and Target. My mom also makes clothes. We get doll furniture from wherever we find a good deal.

You can do a special tea party at home, with her dolls and friends/family. For my mom's bday, we did a surprise tea party with the women in our family and all the little girls were asked to bring their dolls. Everyone LOVED the party and it cost next to nothing--we made little sandwiches, had little treats and I made the dessert that is served at the AG tea party. I took pictures from the AG catalog and put them in the picture frames we already had up at our house, so we were surrounded with AG stuff. She would have wonderful memories of that tea party--and she would have her real AG doll!

I dream of flying to Chicago for the day with my DD just for the AG store. We have one in KC, but nothing like the Chicago store.

 

[tink fan]

I agree with the suggestion to skip the tea and use your time at the store to pick out a doll your daughter can ask Santa for.

We have done a tea at the Chicago store, and I know that my daughter would have happily forgone the tea experience to instead have the real AG doll that she plays with everyday. Also, with tax and tip the tea will cost $45-50 for two people, depending on how much you tip. Add to that the cost of the Target doll, and you are getting very close to the cost of the AG doll.

Here's another possible money saving idea. Before St. Louis got an AG store, I always ordered my daughter's AG items on line when there was a free shipping offer. That way I didn't have to pay sales tax, but I don't know what the tax laws are in your state, so it may not apply. (You do not have to pay Missouri use tax until your cumulative purchases exceed $2000 per calendar year.)

The tax rate on Michigan Ave is crazy high--over 10%

 

[mjkacmom]

I agree with the others - taking her to the AG store, when she really wants an AG doll, and then giving her the Target doll, would be like taking a child who really wants a puppy to the pet store, and buying a goldfish. A little mean...