American Girl Dolls

[tchrrx]

I also posted this on the Budget Board before I realized that this board was probably the one that I should be on.

My DD is 8 and has read the "Kit" book and maybe a couple of others. She's not really into dolls, but she loves her Barbies & her dollhouse.

Everyone says that American Girl dolls are great gifts. Is there a reason to believe that DD would actually play with this doll? Do I have to buy them online/AG stores or can they be purchased at regular stores? What (besides the doll) would be best to get?

ETA: Is there a budget way to buy this? What other doll clothes/accessories fit these dolls?

 

[2cutekidz]

As much as I (amd my DD) love the AG dolls, if your DD doesn't play with dolls, then I doubt she would play with one. If that doesn't bother you - then go ahead. It can be a collector doll if nothing else.

 

[Elmo888]

I also posted this on the Budget Board before I realized that this board was probably the one that I should be on.

My DD is 8 and has read the "Kit" book and maybe a couple of others. She's not really into dolls, but she loves her Barbies & her dollhouse.

Everyone says that American Girl dolls are great gifts. Is there a reason to believe that DD would actually play with this doll? Do I have to buy them online/AG stores or can they be purchased at regular stores? What (besides the doll) would be best to get?

ETA: Is there a budget way to buy this? What other doll clothes/accessories fit these dolls?

DD8 didn't really play with dolls (not Barbies, not baby dolls), but she will play with her AG dolls (she has 2). She doesn't play with them all the time, but she will go in her room and play with them and take one to a friend's house. The tie to the books is what makes these dolls. It gives them a story and a personality.

They can only be purchased at AG stores or at the AG web site. I think that there is free shipping right now.

The AG stuff can get pretty pricey. I watch the web site for free shipping and/or sales and discount codes (check retailmenot.com or just google American Girl code or something).

The furniture is ridiculously expensive (too much for me), but I've found some less expensive substitutions. Target has some "My Generation" stuff (DNiece just gave my DD a hand me down My Generation salon chair). Ikea has a doll bed that fits 2 AG dolls perfectly...$20.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10101664

My DD8 seems to like the doll clothes, and these aren't so pricey. And they will have monthly specials. Also, any clothes for an 18 inch doll will work (Target, online, etc.). DD8 bought an Ariel costume for an 18 inch doll at WDW, and it fits her AG doll. Cute!

Personally, I would start with just the doll (it comes with the first book), and see how into it your DD is.

 

[tchrrx]

I think I'm going to do it! I really like Kit the best. I'm going to order her from the AG site. I found the 6 Kit books for $25 and the movie for $17 at walmart.com. Then, in a few months, if DD seems to still be into the doll, we may take a Spring Break trip to the AG store in Dallas. Thanks for the help! ITA that the book/movie tie-in will probably be what keeps DD involved.

BTW- Have any of you tried the hair curlers & products? I'm thinking that may make the doll even more fun to play with. Thanks!

 

[Elmo888]

I think I'm going to do it! I really like Kit the best. I'm going to order her from the AG site. I found the 6 Kit books for $25 and the movie for $17 at walmart.com. Then, in a few months, if DD seems to still be into the doll, we may take a Spring Break trip to the AG store in Dallas. Thanks for the help! ITA that the book/movie tie-in will probably be what keeps DD involved.

BTW- Have any of you tried the hair curlers & products? I'm thinking that may make the doll even more fun to play with. Thanks!

DD8 hasn't tried the hair curlers, etc., but that might be next since she has a salon chair (I think that Target has that, too).

I did think of a couple of things that I would definitely get from the AG store - the hair brush and a doll stand. I think that you can get a wig brush, but I had to go on a hunt to find one. So, I just bought the AG one. (DD8 also has the doll hair book, but I don't think that she's used it much.)

The doll stand is helpful to keep them looking nice, esp. if your daughter doesn't play with it much. My friend keeps her DD's AG dolls in the stands and gets them down when her DD wants to play with them. I'd like to do that in theory, but my DD8 likes to put her AG dolls in bed.

Right now, the AG site has some of the books on sale (not the novels, but other tie-in books). And if you go to the Dallas store, make a reservation at the AG Bistro before you go. The food is okay, but the girls just love it! It adds to the whole experience. And they have little doll chairs so the doll can sit at the table.

http://www.americangirl.com/stores/experience_bistro.php

Enjoy!

 

[tchrrx]

We have a doll hair brush from one of the dolls that they sell in the German pavilion at Epcot. Do you think that will work or should I buy an AG one?

 

[Elmo888]

We have a doll hair brush from one of the dolls that they sell in the German pavilion at Epcot. Do you think that will work or should I buy an AG one?

Here it is...

http://store.americangirl.com/agsho...temId/140655&event=topRecordsReport&sku=F9566

They describe it as a "wire wig brush". Maybe you can compare?

 

[Elmo888]

I just looked at the AG site, and the brush alone is $7 and the hair kit is $15, including a brush. If your doll brush doesn't work, I would consider that.

 

[tchrrx]

I just looked at the AG site, and the brush alone is $7 and the hair kit is $15, including a brush. If your doll brush doesn't work, I would consider that.

Thanks for checking that for me. My brush looks similar to that one. However, I'm now thinking that Julie may be the doll I get instead of Kit. If that's the case, then being able to put curls into her long hair would probably be a lot of fun for DD. I think I'll see if my mom will buy the hair kit & the salon chair that's at Target. Thanks for your help!

 

[LisaMommy]

Just a note on Julie - her hair sheds. Its been known to fall in clumps in peoples' hands when brushed. This isn't to say that all of them are like this, but many are. Apparently it can take a while for her wig to 'set', but she will shed like crazy, and if hair styling is something your interested in, Julie might not be the doll for you. This said, she is the only doll I've known to do this, the others have beautiful hair (especially Kit, hers is very easy to take care of ).

 

[mom2princessj]

DD has dolls with long hair and have no problems with their hair coming out in clumps or anything else so I think it may just be a problem with Julie.

Kit I think would make a great starter doll especially if your dd is reading her books. My dd loves these dolls we have several and although she doesn't play with them everyday when she does she changes all of their clothes and styles their hair. If nothing else they are great keepsake dolls. Good luck...I hope your dd likes it!

 

[Denine]

I bought DD (6) Nellie on ebay. You can get a ton of AG stuff on ebay. You have to know the AG store prices though. A lot of the clothes on ebay are handmade and not AG, but oh so cute.

DD LOVES Nellie and is getting Samantha for Christmas.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

If you have a Michaels craft store near you they have a set that comes with a brush and either a book or a DVD (I can't remember which). You can use a 40% off coupon from their weekly add on it. I would suggest that you get a catalog or go online and see what interest your DD. You might consider Mia because she is only available for one year. It might make her more valuable if you ever do decide to resell her.

 

[tchrrx]

OK, I finally ordered. It's already becoming expensive & addictive and my DD doesn't even know about it yet! I've spent hours on the site & there are so many cute things. Here's what I ended up getting:

Kit w/ 6 books
Kit's accessories
Kit's holiday outfit
hair curling and care kit

Then, I'm going to go to Wal-Mart and buy the Kit movie. I really hope DD loves this. I'm hoping that my mom will buy her the style chair and maybe some more clothes from Target.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

Yeah for you! Kit is one of my favorites. You can buy doll outfits at Michales too.

 

[LisaMommy]

Kit is so cute! It's great that you got her, your DD will love it. I recently placed my order for her as well, to put away for DD2.