Would you buy it?? Need help making a decision!

[leagirl12]

DD will be 11 yo in February. She has been talking about wanting an American Girl doll for Christmas. She wanted one last year for several months but she also wanted a collectible Barbie....because of $$$ she had to pick between the two and chose the Barbie. She did get the Molly book set as that is the doll she wants.

Now that she is wanting it again this year I am thinking about ordering her one but I am not sure if she is too old.

She has one baby doll that she has had for about 5 years that she still plays with and takes everywhere with us....so she is still somewhat into dolls but I am not sure how much longer that will last.

I would love some opinions and guidance on this.

 

[momlovesdisney]

Hello
my daughter just got (this week) her first American Girl doll and it is beautiful! Her name is Julie and she looks esacly like she did not the web. Her hair and clothes are lovely. When my daughter takes her doll out people stop her and ask her where she got it. I think the dolls are crazy expensive but worth it. my daughter loves her doll

 

[ceecee]

I bought DD her last two at age 12. They are wonderful dolls and a lot of older girls and adults buy them to collect, not just play with. I told my mom as long as DD wanted a doll, I would buy them! Every girl should have at least one AG doll.

 

[luvmy3]

I bought DD her last two at age 12. They are wonderful dolls and a lot of older girls and adults buy them to collect, not just play with. I told my mom as long as DD wanted a doll, I would buy them! Every girl should have at least one AG doll.

Thats exactly what I said when my dd wanted one last year for Christmas, right before she turned 11, I am in no hurry for her to grow up

OP, I would definitely get her one. My dd doesn't play with hers often but she does keep them out on display. Eventually I will store them away and give her them to her when she's older and maybe she can give them to her own dd.

 

[stitchlovestink]

well my DD who is 13.5 had her BFF over today. they were playing w/ them and actually took Molly's stage out of the box. I got that for $35 w/ free shipping sometime last year on a one day special. I'm sure that it helps that she has tons of clothes, accessories, and her BFF loves them too. Her BFF has been 'into' them much longer than my DD. My DD has stated that even when she is done 'playing' w/ them, she will still want the new ones as she plans on displaying them around her room in various outfits. I'm a collector myself (500+ Precious Moments, Cherished Teddies, porcelain Pooh & Friends, Lenox, Disney ornaments, Hallmark ornaments, and of course Disney Pins). So I know she gets the collecting 'gene' from me. . If that is what she wants as a gift, who am I to question it? I ask her what she wants, she tells me.
DD didn't get into them until she was 10, but she has thoroughly enjoyed them while she's played with them. Do I have any regrets even about the $$$ spent. NOT ONE!!! But I want her to enjoy her childhood and not have to grow up too fast. But that's just my .02. Best of Luck deciding.

 

[travelgirl06]

I think the AG dolls are wonderful! I begged for one when I was 7, and my mom made me save up my allowance (at $1/week, it took a long time, but it was worth it!). When I graduated from college last year, my mom got me Mia, since I love ice skating, and it was a great gift, since I still appreciate my AG dolls (although now as a collectors item/something to pass down one day, etc.).

These dolls are high quality (most of mine are in great shape, although Samantha's hair has endured more than its fair share of styling) and really enable tweens to squeeze a few more years out of childhood and playing with dolls, which is highly beneficial! I'm so glad I got a few extra years of playtime before the drama of being a teenage girl kicked up

 

[disneydreamersx4]

My daughter will be 12 in October and is asking for the AG doll that looks like you. If your daughter asked for one then I would try to get it for her. My daughter's only AG doll sits on her dresser and doesn't get played with too much but I know she loves it. I will definitely keep the box on her next one.

 

[SA53]

I love the AG dolls. My dd is 9 and plays with hers almost everyday. There is a college age girl on youtube who does different hairstyles with her dolls and my dd loves to watch and then do the hairstyle. It goes to show that AG dolls are loved by many different ages.

I did want to tell you the QVC is having an AG day on 26/27th and they do have some good deals on bundles especially if this is your first doll. Go to QVC and look up AG and you will find the information. There is also a thread here on the Budget Board talking about it. They may also do this in the fall if the doll your daughter wants is not offered now...my dd never has the dolls that they offer on her wish list .

Also, if you are getting into AG be sure to check their sale section often. Except for the actual dolls, I have never paid full price for any outfit or accessory and sometimes their sales are fab!!! (I too have Molly's stage when it was $35 - $10, my dd loves that thing.)

I figure I would rather get her something that will last then a whole bunch of plastic toys that will be broken in a blink of an eye.

Have fun but be warned, this is an expensive/addictive habit

K in SA

 

[megsters]

i love the ag dolls! i got one in 4th grade-ish, and i still love it. very high quality dolls...the hair is still intact...where else was i going to learn to french braid. they are still fun even when you get older. im 23, but i still entertain myself with it from time to time. i just looked at the accessories they have now, and im JEALOUS!!! such cute stuff. i have a ton of memories with mine. one of the few things i kept throughout the years.

 

[leagirl12]

Thanks for all of the feedback....this is just what I needed to hear. I agree with trying to let her stay young as long as I can. I guess I just needed to hear others telling me to do it!!!!! I am planning on tuning in to QVC to see if I can get the doll she wants. If not then I will just order it from AG a little closer to Christmas. Until reading this I never really thought of it as much of a collectible item...more of a toy that she will outgrow soon. She loves to collect and display Barbie's so I imagine the AG dolls may just turn into her next collection. I don't let her play with her collectible Barbies so she will like that she can play with the AG doll and yet still look at it as a collectible item.

Her bday is in Feb. and we live about 2 hrs from Atlanta so if she gets the doll for Christmas then maybe I can plan a weekend in Atlanta to go to the AG store and let her pick a few things out. It would make a FUN girls only weekend!!!!

Again....thanks so much for the advice!!!

 

[cinmell]

Have fun but be warned, this is an expensive/addictive habit

Truer words have never been spoken (typed)!

 

[Ava]

Originally Posted by SA53
Have fun but be warned, this is an expensive/addictive habit

Truer words have never been spoken (typed)!

Haha, ditto! I got my first AG doll (Molly) for Christmas when I was 9. I was never into dolls in a carry them around with me everywhere way, but I loved Molly and took very good care of her. I think I asked for clothes & accessories for her for Christmases & birthdays until I was about 12-13, but even after I stopped actively playing with her she stayed displayed in my bedroom and I'd occasionally brush her hair or change her clothes. When I went away to college Molly & her things got packed into a box & put in a closet. I forgot about her for several years until I moved to NYC and went to the AG store on a whim, which made me want my Molly back. Now I have 5 dolls - my Molly, my sister's Samantha & Felicity, Julie, and Kit - and I don't even want to think about how much money I've spent on stuff for them in the last few years.

They are worth it though, they're gorgeous dolls and I look forward to sharing them with my DD when she's old enough.

 

[java]

We had a tearful day at American Girl recently. I was in there with my 11 year old. She started crying(unlike her) and she said "mom I think I am too old for this now- I'm not that into it anymore"
So I asked why she was crying was it because she still wanted to be. And she said No just sad that I am getting older. She is going to be 12 in a couple weeks! I think she would still love some of the accessories. But honestly doesn't play with the dolls much anymore.

 

[Ava]

We had a tearful day at American Girl recently. I was in there with my 11 year old. She started crying(unlike her) and she said "mom I think I am too old for this now- I'm not that into it anymore"
So I asked why she was crying was it because she still wanted to be. And she said No just sad that I am getting older. She is going to be 12 in a couple weeks! I think she would still love some of the accessories. But honestly doesn't play with the dolls much anymore.

Aw, your DD sounds like a real sweetheart! If she thinks she is too old to play with the dolls but still likes the accessories, she could become a "collector." I'm 29 and I still collect AG dolls!

 

[HM]

Getting a child what they want for their birthday or Christmas is always a win, whether they end up playing with it for a long time or not. Their wishes were granted on their speical day. I hope you're able to find the Molly she wants!

 

[tink_lover]

OP - our daughter's are the exact same age - mine will turn 11 in Feb also. She started with Bitty Baby, got her first AG doll at age 7 and asked for a second doll last Christmas. She plays with Bitty Baby more than the dolls. I think because none of her friends are really into AG, she has lost her interest. Her smaller brothers tend to play with the dolls more than she does. When she gets the catalog or we walk by the store, she will "want" a doll or some clothes, but loses interest pretty fast once it is out of sight. It is sad to see her growing up but right now her interests tend to lean more towards to electronics - oh, and a cell phone.