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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not give my dd what she wants for Christmas (yes it's started already)?

146 replies

scorpionne · 09/10/2012 13:27

We have been living overseas since my dcs were very small. I think this has meant we've avoided a lot of the "crazes" as regards toys/clothes as there's not really one thing everyone has/wants. But....now dcs are in American school and DD(6) is desperate for one of these

I think they are revolting and have you seen how much they cost?! We don't tend to spend a lot on presents and it's never been an issue before and the dcs seem to be happy with what they get. We put more emphasis on doing nice things at Christmas than presents.

DD is doing the "all my friends have one" and it's actually true. They all do (American school but not in US). So far I have said no but AIBU? We've never bought any Wii/XBox or anything expensive like that and it's never been an issue but I'm wondering whether we were just very lucky that the older dcs never complained.

OP posts:
SpringierSpaniel · 09/10/2012 14:03

I'd go along with it. It all seems very age appropriate and sweet, if rather overpriced, but then, aren't a lot of toys. If she will play with it and can play along wither her friends it won't be money wasted.

Perhaps add in a copy of "The Little House in the Big Woods" and read with her the chapter where Laura gets a doll for Christmas along with new mittens and a peppermint candy stick. The other children get just mittens and a peppermint candy stick but aren't at all upset that Laura finally has a doll instead of a corncob in a blanket pretendy dolly which she had used until now.

Might make her appreciate her new dolly lots compared to what little girls used to get long long ago. My kids have been amazed at how hard life was, as described in this book, and how little the children had to play with.

lljkk · 09/10/2012 14:03

Xmas is still a long way off, just keep suggesting other things you prefer. Odds are she'll go off that doll long before December.

aamia · 09/10/2012 14:05

YANBU but if I was a little girl again, I'd love one of those! It's appropriate, fun and fairly harmless. I think my mum would have bought me the doll then taught me how to make clothes for it though - she'd never have let me spend that much on clothes for a doll!

Merrylegs · 09/10/2012 14:06

(btw Am arfing at Shesparkles - 'the site isn't very clear.' I could navigate that site in my sleep, the number of times I have been forced invited to peruse its loveliness by DD.)

(And hollow laugh at 'odds on she'll go off that doll long before December.'

She won't)

Obiwan · 09/10/2012 14:07

Oh, I thought you might be linking to something like Bratz.

The dolls are quite cute, I like the pea-pod outfit. Grin

I might buy one if it was to be the main present, and my child was a 'doll' kind of child.

Original poster
scorpionne · 09/10/2012 14:07

Don't want to say exactly where were are (a bit sensitive) but it would be vvvv complicated to get it sent here, although not impossible. We are in the arse end of nowhere.

My friend is telling her dd that you have to be 8 before you can get one!

OP posts:
Original poster
scorpionne · 09/10/2012 14:07

where we are, sorry

OP posts:
Shesparkles · 09/10/2012 14:09

Lol, it's a while since I was buying dolls (more's the pity!) I was looking and looking for a page that just had the doll to see the price. Such naivety in one so old! As if they're just going to sell the doll on its own!

Narked · 09/10/2012 14:09

Have it sent to the school? In your name. And then apologise once it's en route.

Yoghurty · 09/10/2012 14:09

I can't tell you whether or not to buy one for your daughter but, as a doll collector myself I can tell you that American dolls hold their value (in that, if she gets bored of her you will be able to re-sell her for a comparable price) and if you start watching eBay auctions you could find one cheaper than the retail price. (Currently one on eBay uk for £36.

It is a lot of money thou, especially if you have more than one DC

Original poster
scorpionne · 09/10/2012 14:10

Arf at Narked.

I'm just all cheesed out with being a cynical Brit forced to do high-fives on a daily basis. The doll is the icing on the cake I guess.

OP posts:
StateofConfusion · 09/10/2012 14:11

I'd get one, my dd is desperate and I mean giving children who have one in public evils, desperate for a designer friend which is similar but a mere £30 including 2 outfits and accessories from argos. She adores the one my sister has and spends her whole time at grandmas stroking it. Its far nicer than barbies/baby annabels imo.

Woozley · 09/10/2012 14:11

Both my girls want one of those type dolls, kind of a toddler doll with long hair. It's not that brand though I'm pretty sure, nor are they that expensive. I'm kind of thinking "Oh no, not another doll" but at 7 and 3, they do still play with dolls quite a lot, and they play together nicely with them, which is good.

Original poster
scorpionne · 09/10/2012 14:12

Narked we would have to be a bit "creative" to avoid getting hammered for bribes tax to get it in.

OP posts:
Original poster
scorpionne · 09/10/2012 14:13

Woozley there are zapf creation toddler type dolls for £20 on amazon - DD has the girl one.

OP posts:
tiredteddy · 09/10/2012 14:13

I think the cost would be the main issue for me. Yes rather cheesy but a LOT better the the Bratz etc that she could be begging for. I think maybe if you missed the crazes up until now you could get her one but explain that that is it for presents one big one. We told Ds1 that when he wanted a Nintendo DS. Made it very clear that that would be one main present. He still wanted it.

Idocrazythings · 09/10/2012 14:15

Least its not these scary dolls even if they are cheaper-no offense to anyone who likes them...

Narked · 09/10/2012 14:16

No-one's coming over before Christmas who could bring one? you could get it sent to their home address and have them bring it in their luggage?

Merrylegs · 09/10/2012 14:17

scorpionne - seriously, if you find out how to get one to you, let me know how extortionate shipping is. I am about ready to Crack I think.

Grin Narked.

Is OK though, because McKenna (who needs extra help in lessons because she spends all her time at the gym and not enough time on her books) ends up getting a tutor who is - in a wheelchair! And with her positive outlook, the sunny natured tutor turns McKenna's Sad face into a Smile face. The moral being that there's always someone worse off than yourself. Or be kind to puppies. Maybe.

Xiaoxiong · 09/10/2012 14:17

My DGM got me Molly and we read all the books together and talked about when DGM was a teenager in WWII the same age as Molly. Later on she got me Felicity who appears to have been retired.

I did love them and played with them a lot Blush Felicity had a lovely sort of wooden lute and Molly had a book bag with a tiny pencil and a grammar textbook the size of a postage stamp that I read cover to cover!! I read all the books for each girl and learned a lot about history from them, which sparked further interest in history generally.

Sorry OP, probably not what you wanted to hear...

Dancergirl · 09/10/2012 14:17

I love dolls!

If you can afford it, get her one. I think it's lovely when little girls want to play with dolls. I'd MUCH rather buy something like this than an electronic toy.

A friend of my mums gave me some very good advice: buy toys while you still can, ie before they've outgrown them.

tovetove · 09/10/2012 14:17

I don't think they are that bad. My dds have the Corolle dolls which are lovely and cheaper (but smaller and not so many accessories)
www.louellatoys.co.uk/corolle-les-cheries-camille-2012-p-1505.html

PurplePidjin · 09/10/2012 14:19

thefrugalgirls.com/2011/12/free-american-girl-doll-clothes-patterns.html

Get her a new hobby while you're at it Wink

Narked · 09/10/2012 14:20

[green] < not envy.

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