American Girl Dolls whats so special?

[isla bonita]

I am trying to think of a big gift for my 5 YOD and it keeps coming up AGDS. They look ok not to die for but thats just me. Some items are cute but for the amount of cash they should be. Are they really that big?

I have 2 sons and I always knew what was up but now I am at a loss. I could use a little help.

 

[DVCLiz]

American Girl dolls are a wonderful quality doll just perfect for little girls, although possibly not 5 year olds. DD had a Bitty Baby when she was five, though, and she loved it, so that might be the place to start.

I think AG dolls are special because:

They are excellent quality - the hair stays in better shape longer, it's easier to style, etc. The dolls themselves are really well made. It's easy to get repairs done (although not free!) The day DD's Samantha came back from the doll hospital with a gown and an ID bracelet was one of the most exciting events we ever had. (Poor Samantha was decapitated in an unfortunate accident.)

The outfits are adorable, and I do think they are to die for, compared to some of the lesser quality things I've seen. Of course, I have some hand made AG outfits, made by a seamstress for a fundraiser at a place I used to work, that really ARE to die for - wool cape, real feathers, etc. But the AG products are consistently well done.

The idea that the dolls and accesories are based on the characters in the books make them appealing to lots of moms. As a former Children's Librarian, I can say that the quality of the books was reasonable - no award winners, but we certainly stocked them in the library and they were perfect for that age.

Finally, I think moms who love AG are buying into a little bit of a fantasy of what we wish we had had when we were young, or what we remember having. And I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Pleasant Rowland, the founder of the company, based the whole idea on finding an old trunk in an attic, and that's nostalgia that boomer moms love. I think we like to think of our daughters getting pleasure out of something we enjoyed as little girls, and then saving it for little girls who are still to be born.

Can you tell I love the American Girls????

 

[isla bonita]

Yes and thanks for the info.

 

[DVCLiz]

You're welcome!!!

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

AG dolls are an addiction. Plain and simple. Like crack or Disboards.com.

Unfortunately, I have become addicted ... and I don't even know if my girls will like the AG dolls that they are getting from Grandma for Christmas ! I mean, they seemed enchanted with the dolls when they saw a friend playing with them and they like to look at the catalogs, but who knows ... Mommy sure likes the dolls though and would have LOVED one as a child

 

[bnf2]

DVCLiz:"The idea that the dolls and accesories are based on the characters in the books make them appealing to lots of moms."

I agree! My DD 7 has Kit- we espcially love her since we live in the Cincinnati area and that is where Kit "grew up". The Kit character was also born around the time that my grandmother was- and DD loves that Kit and Great-Grandmother have that in commom. DD's learned a lot about that time in history (as have I)! My grandmother tells lots of stories about the Depression and DD can relate them to the books she's read.

I'm not really a fan of the "modern" AG, but to each his own- and AG has something for everyone!

 

[isla bonita]

Are the dolls price fixed or do they go on sale?

 

[bnf2]

Are the dolls price fixed or do they go on sale?

I don't think I've ever seen them "on sale". A few times I've seen specials on shipping or spend a certain amt. get a few bucks off kind of thing. They are pricey, but we love them. Fortunately my mom is nuts about the history part and has bought much of what DD has... starting with the doll!

 

[emma'smom]

Just don't go to the AG store to buy one...you'll never get out of there without going over your budget limit...all those cute little outfits (and matching ones of the children)...and the accessories. We went "just to have tea" not to make any purchases and came out 200. lighter (AG doll, gymnastics outfit, hair accessories, etc).

 

[Schmeck]

I loved AG when it was owned by the Pleasant Company, but since it was bought out by Mattel, the quality has gone down a bit, and I'm not so impressed with the trendy stuff they hawk now.

 

[Hannathy]

Good summation except for the trunk in the Attic that was the idea behind the Magic Attic Dolls not American girl- They were nice dolls also but a different company. I like the American girl dolls for the quality but because they are based on and look like regular girls! They aren't made up to look like the work a corner or have dream beach houses and aren't built like the are auditioning for Bay watch. There is a certain innocence that is based on girls playing and using their imagination with a plain good quality doll that they keep (yes the same doll) for years. Once you actually see and feel one you will be convinced. My DD did and still does love her American Girl Dolls and she is turning 15.


Edited to add I agree with the Pleasant company vs Mattel but the Dolls seem to have maintained their quality it seems to me that it is the clothes and furniture that has slipped.

 

[DVCLiz]

In some of the early publicity material Plesant Rowland talked about her trunk in the attic - it may have been a "fantasy" or it may have been her actual trunk - I can't remember back that far!!!!! It's a good marketing hook, though. Everybody wishes they had an attic like that!!!

 

[Madi100]

I'll tell you why I don't have a problem buying the dolls. They are expensive. Ridiculously expensive. However, last year my daughter wanted this Fisher Price baby well center. It only cost $20, but now, it's junk. If my children outgrow their American Girl stuff, I can sell it and get what I paid for it if not more. Their customer service is great. 3 years ago I bought a stroller, and it's fallen apart, and we've had nothing but trouble with it. So, I called, and they are letting me return it.

My 5 year old has the big dolls, and she's getting Emily for Christmas. They know they have to take care of them. If you get a big doll just make sure you get a doll brush. You can not use a regular brush on their hair.

 

[kaysmommie]

AG dolls are an addiction. Plain and simple. Like crack or Disboards.com.

Unfortunately, I have become addicted ... and I don't even know if my girls will like the AG dolls that they are getting from Grandma for Christmas ! I mean, they seemed enchanted with the dolls when they saw a friend playing with them and they like to look at the catalogs, but who knows ... Mommy sure likes the dolls though and would have LOVED one as a child

Thats funny I'm addicted to Disboards and American girls too! I agree I would have loved one as a little girl too! All we had was Cabbage patch kids lol . DD loves her AG dolls. She takes wonderful care of them and she is getting her third doll for Christmas. They are perfectly made too. They have nice hair and the American girl doll clothes are high quality. We have checked out the clothes from Target and that are no where near as nice. Some of the other items are alright though. The look on their face when your DD's open that doll box when they get their first doll is priceless. My DD was 5 when she got her just like me doll and she took one look at her and said"she's wonderful mommy, thanks so much " It was too cute.

 

[Becky2005]

I agree with everything everyone else has said.

We didn't really get into American Girl dolls until my DD was 10 but she STILL loves them. She will be 13 and she doesn't really play with any other dolls but her American Girl love is still going strong.

We just watched the Molly movie on Sunday and she has been getting the DVD of those every year from her aunt for Christmas. She wants the entire collection even though she will probably be about 17-18? by the time they are done.

She is desperately waiting for Kirsten to get her own movie. That is her favorite. As of right now she only has a big Today doll since we went to the store for her 10th birthday and did the day at package (it was her golden birthday so she turned 10 on the 10th).

She even took that one with us to Disney and got her a Minnie Mouse costume that fits. So the next time we went to the AG place, her doll was dressed as Minnie.

I just think it's one of those dolls that has a longer play value than say Barbie.

 

[AlwaysEeyore]

I don't get AG dolls either. My MIL is getting one for DD for Christmas, DD is only 4-1/2, she's seen the dolls in the catalog and she really didn't seem interested. My MIL thinks this doll will be great for DD since she carries her build-a-bear around with her. My MIL doesn't realize that Mommy & Daddy dress the build-a-bear not DD. I think the doll will stay with MIL so DD can visit her once a month.

 

[isla bonita]

Sounds like a real crowd pleaser. I just found a code and will be ordering a doll for my daughter this xmas. What are must haves like some one mentioned the brush. You really need it for the hair? What else should I know before hand?

Thanks for all the replys. Deb

 

[pooh4evr]

DD 5 is getting a like me doll too for Christmas she has really been wanting one, she keeps the catalogs by her bed and looks over them everynight- both girls have Bitty Babies they got last year from my brother Baby Daisy nad Baby Charlie have been tjrough alot but are very loved! I did get some of the outfits from target and the Wardrobe/Vanity thing it seems OK I am sure the real stuff would be better but I wasn't ready to pay lots of $$ for outfits and stuff if DD isn't as enchanted with the doll as we hope. Her birthday is in February, so if all goes well maybe we'll get her some real AG stuff then.

 

[Whosemom]

I know this will be unpopular with most pps, but my DD is delighted with her Our Generation doll from target ($20) and has carried it around for 2 years. It still looks nice, and all in one peice etc. If you aren't going to keep it pristine in the box, and actually let it run the chance of getting dirty or whatever, I just can't see $100 for a doll.

My only problem is, she wants "the princess one" for Christmas, and I believe it is a figment of her imagination. The closest I can find is the Disney Princess dolls and they are grotesquely hideous (at the risk of being redundantly repetative )

 

[Schmeck]

We have so many AG dolls (Molly, Felicity, 2 Kirstens - long story - Kit, Bitty Baby, Bitty twins, one AG girl of today, Josefina, I think that's it... ) and they are in great shape, 10 yrs after we first started getting them. Oh, sure, they're not 'pristine' but they are clean and well cared for, and look a lot better than the Disney doll we got 2 yrs ago. The older AG dolls that have the string tied neck are very easy to clean!