Last weekend we went to the American Girl store in Manhattan to buy my daughter a doll. Have you heard of this place? It’s a doll store that specializes in making the doll purchase a full experience for your child. Among the doll choices you have is their Just Like You collection where you pick out a doll that has features similar to your own (or my daughter in this case; I would make one ugly doll). From the site:Just Like You dolls help girls share their stories with the world. Every girl can find a doll to match her spirit and look—inside and out. The hair and eye color, skin tone, and outfits and accessories help bring their story, and friendship, to life. These 18-inch dolls are for ages 8 and up.
Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Each comes with a story book and a music CD. You can buy girl clothes that match the dolls’; there’s a theater; a cafe; a hair salon; even a doll hospital! Yes, you can already imagine it isn’t cheap! The doll we bought (left) was $90!!
Let me go back a sec and explain how we got here. Last Spring my daughter went to the American Girl store with her Girl Scout troop. They were able to get a doll’s hair made up and had lunch at the cafe. If you didn’t own a doll they gave you a loaner. Well, my daughter immediately wanted one of her own! It wasn’t too hard to say no to her since the dolls are so expensive. But we did strike a deal with her: If she behaved (as best she could) and tried hard in school we would get her one for her birthday. She agreed. Keep in mind we didn’t go overboard for the holidays knowing we would be getting this doll for her birthday. Also, besides the party at home, this would be her only gift from us.
Did I mention the place has like three floors?!? I went in with strong resolve, vowing to buy only the doll! But man do I have ADD when I walk into a store. They have accessories and dolls everywhere. It wasn’t long before I was asking my wife if we she get another outfit or an accessory too. We came real close but my wife, having more sense than me, said we came only for the doll and that’s what we’re getting!
Yes, it was expensive for what is essentially a trumped up Cabbage Patch kid. But did my daughter smile when we got home! I took a picture with her and the doll and it’s one of the most joyful smiles of her I’ve gotten on film. I know this is no excuse to spend money. I don’t think we’re spoiling her since she waited so long for it and we made sure to explain to her that this is an extra special gift, the likes of which she shouldn’t always expect.
Here’s a few justifications for buying it:
- We made her wait a while before buying it to make sure she not only deserved it but would still want it and take care of it.
- It was the only major gift she’s getting from us for her birthday. We got her small gifts for the holidays but nothing expensive.
- Our son is turning one two days before her birthday. Although we do our best to give equal attention to both of our children it’s inevitable that the little guy gets a bit more attention since he’s a baby. The doll is a special present for her for being so great with him this past year.
- We had the money in savings and will not be in debt because of it.
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I just spent four hours this last weekend at the Grove in Los Angeles where there is an American Girl doll Store while my wife , daughter and her friends went to a show, tea, purchased a doll, dressed it got it’s hair done, etc. It was a pretty strange experience and got even stranger when my four year old son discovered the American Boy Doll.
Chris Shumow
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Teaching your daughter delayed gratification is a major success.
You are not spoiling her. You have done a small splurge and it was only after she had met her part of the bargain.
You just have to make sure your daughter does not go into the buying all accessories phase.
I’ve never heard of this place! It sounds like it was a very special little trip and not something she just expected to be handed to her. There is nothing wrong with a treat once in a while. I bet that place is like heaven for a little girl.
@ Chris – Yeah, strange indeed. Those little dolls have a more interesting life than me!
@ Father Sez – Thanks for the confirmation. She was able to get a new dress from her Aunt for her birthday. I’m cool with other people taking over the accessories!
@ Dawn – Honestly, the place must be special for a girl. It’s part of the marketing plan and they do it brilliantly! I can only imagine what I’d be like if there was a GI Joe or Transformers store when I was her age.
As a mom of an American Girl fan, let me tell you, the cost is ultimately worth it.
Number one- although the dolls cost “more” than Bratz, Barbies, or other dolls you can get anywhere- the play quality is way different. My daughter (almost 9) plays the most creatively when she plays with her American Girls. Bratz are all about consumerism and looks- and how to “catch a boyfriend”– as is Barbie at some level. American Girl is about being a girl and exploring what interests the girl themselves. My daughter has been wanting to craft things for her “girl”, help me design clothes for it, etc. I think on some level, it is helping her remain comfortable at being a kid instead of rushing into tweeniehood.
Number two- you don’t HAVE to buy all the stuff. We mainly have only bought dolls- dresses, playfood, etc has been handmade by us or obtained elsewhere on the cheap. There are tons of patterns (even free ones online @ americanplaythings.com website!) and knockoff clothes, etc you can find once you get in it.
Number three- you can have your daughter save up for her doll. My aunt (nicknamed Aunt Moneybags), bought my daughter her first doll- one to look like her when she was 6. Last birthday, we went to AG Place in NYC and my daughter spent all her Christmas and birthday fund on the doll SHE wanted- she picked Kaya, the American Indian doll. This doll has the most meaning for her of any of the ones she has. She did get 3 for Xmas this year. Thru a weird event, a doll ended up on our doorstep from AMerican Girl we did not order- & customer service could not take her back (Nicki, the girl of the year)– I saved it until Xmas. Then, our pastor got her one as a special gift (Addy). And a third doll had been resuscitated from a garage sale (Kirsten- I had to fix her hair and make her new clothes).
And of course- there are many places you can buy these dolls gently used- ebay, collector groups, etc. I happen to hang out on AG Playthings online and have bought from members there. Once you get into it- there are all sorts of creative things happening, like hosting traveling dolls (we did this a few weeks ago), etc.
You might consider getting knock offs like the Springfield dolls (Michaels or AC Moore) or the Tolly Tots (Target)- but you will be surprised to hear this is not the best idea. The hair and overall quality is so poor, you will be wasting the $20 it costs for the cheaper doll rather than saving it for the better wigged and strung limbed dolls AG offers. (Full disclosure–I own a Springfield for me- bought at 50% off coupon from Michaels– she is my dress/clothing model since I could never wrestle away the real AG girls long enough for fittings).
Feel free to email me if you want more info- divajean13207@yahoo.com
I’m 18, and I have both a My Twinn doll and an American girl doll.
The My Twinn doll was one that was designed to look EXACTLY like me – right down to a birthmark mole on my neck. The American Girl doll was simply ordered with my eye and hair color.
I got mine when I was in 4th grade (on my 8th birthday). I know that for sure because my fourth grade picture in my yearbook has me and my My Twinn doll
The photographer just about went nuts over that doll – he thought it was great and took two separate photos of me, one with and one without the doll.
I really loved both of those dolls. I think you did a great job of teaching your daughter that sometimes you have to wait for something you really want.
(BTW, mine was ordered out of a catalogue, but they sell them online… did y’all consider that option or did you want the experience at the store?)
Frugal living means you can (or should) pick your luxuries. And I think you handled it pretty well.
My daughter, now 18, had two AG dolls. At least one she had to pool up some gift cash for.
I bought her AG-size clothes from local crafters. They didn’t cost any less than I could have bought from the catalog, but they were well-made original design outfits.
When she got too old for the dolls, we packed them up. But I did not let her sell or give away the dolls. I would be willing to adopt at least one of her AG dolls if she really has no interest in them again.
@ DivaJean – I can see what you mean about the interactivity with the doll already. My daughter almost treats the doll likes it’s a mirror image of herself. Very interesting. It kind of gives us insight into how she sees the world.
And I’ve seen the Target stuff. Wouldn’t buy their dolls but maybe their accessories.
@ Blue – We considered online but a big part of the experience was going to the store and seeing everything there and letting her see the dolls up close before she picked hers out.
@ Monroe – Thanks for the support!
It’s amazing how popular the American Dolls are! Before last summer I didn’t even know they existed (such is a boy’s life). I’m glad to hear from the people who have bought them and hear that’s it’s such a positive influence!
im 12 years old and i have 7 american girl dolls. i have the one you got for your daughter
@ Diana – Wow, 7 American Girls dolls? I hope you give them all attention and treat them well!
I think you did a great job. You taught her that she would have to take good care of it, and you also taught her that it wouldn’t be handed right to her. She has to work for it and wait.
I have 6 american girl dolls, but I have been collecting since I was 8. I saved up all my money every year to get a doll. Then i would get 1 as a gift every year.
So as long as your girl knows that she has to work for it, she is not spoiled. I think she learned a great lesson! And you just can’t match The AG Place experience.
Seems like there’s a good number of people that have more than one doll. But it doesn’t sound like anyone is spoiled; they were all earned which is good to hear!
i have three american girl dolls for sale and itty baby and some accesories anyone interested
I think it’s crazy to spend all of that money on a toy for a child. Especially the Itty Baby dolls. What child around 3 years old needs to play with a toy that costs more than a nice watch or what my monthly utility bill is. And the clothing is more expensive than what I spend on my actual 3 year old. I think that it is crazy for a child to play with a toy that expensive. The only way I can see it being a good appropriate gift is if the child is much older to understand the value of the dolls, and can work to earn it. And AG are made in China, so they really aren’t any different than the other “lesser” brand dolls.
@ Mike – Indeed they are expensive and I agree that f a child can’t understand the value then perhaps they shouldn’t have it. I think the age suggestion is 7 on the AG dolls. I do have to say that the quality is pretty good on the dolls and the accesseries.