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

[scorpionne]

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.

I would have LOVED one of those dolls when I was a little girl!

In fact, I had one that looked quite similar to the historical Caroline doll. I doubt she was that price though, it was from Toys r Us.

The scariest of all are those dolls that look like dead babies - there was a thread on here about them not long ago.

No-one is coming over. No-one ever does . The best we could do would be to ship to nearest civilised big place and pick it up or see if anyone can bring it. But I'm not at that stage of acceptance yet.

Have you seen the historical ones?! Ugh.

They are very popular here in the US and I can see why. If DD asked for one I would get one 2nd hand and wrap it up. Accessories can be earnt through good behaviour and subsequent gifts. Again, I would be buying 2nd or 3rd hand.

Just be greatful you don't live by NYC. They have a huge store and friends with 6 year old DD's take them in for events at the store. Don't know how I will get around that if DD takes a liking to these dolls. I can't think of anything worse than being stuck in a store for 6+ hours.

I would get her one. You must admit it's a totally suitable, age-appropriate, harmless toy. There are so many worse things she could want.

I understand your dilemma - I went through a similar revulsion with my own daughter when she insisted on wearing the most hideous smaltzy pink clothes known to man or woman. But children are allowed to have their own tastes, even when they don't correspond with their (infinitely more sophisticated) parents'.

You've said all her friends have one. Ever seen that episode of Frasier when Frederick wants some cheesy super-hero & Frasier's bought him only educational toys for Christmas? Imagine your daughter's joy on Christmas morning. Or disappointment...If you can afford it I think you should go for it.

As far as I could see one of those dolls are about $30, fairly nice doll, nothing offensive?? I don't have to like it, but if my DC do, I don't see a problem?

Am I missing something here?

They are over $100 not $30!

Want2besupermum I've heard about that from dd's friends - you have to book your table in the restaurant months in advance apparently!

What's wrong with the historical ones? I found the books genuinely educational and then I got to play with the dolls. (I remember playing that Felicity was riding her horse to visit Molly because in one of the books she tames a colt on her own which I thought was amazing).

gabsid I think they are a lot more expensive than that. But they're a hell of a lot better than a lot of other things out there (bratz etc).

I've decided I want historic 17's Julie.
I'm a child of the 70's

My DD's have AG dolls from US relatives. They got them 3 years ago and still love them. DD1 is 10 and still plays with her historical doll loads. I buy books on Amazon and clothes often come up on eBay. I'm grateful she's still into dolls and they've got her really interested in history.

So, I don't think they're a bad gift for your DD, if you can afford it and access one. If you can't you'll have to talk her into liking something else.

Historic '70's Julie

Meh.
I would get her one. In fact I'm seriously thinking of getting DD16 one because she said she always envied her cousin's one but knew she couldn't have one Like you we'd done a lot of moving around and avoided the whole TV and crazes thing.

Julie Albright is fab - DD has the mini version. She wears cheesecloth!

Wow, I'm loving 70's Julie. Check out this story: americangirl.wikia.com/wiki/Changes_for_Julie

Discusses Jimmy Carter's presidency and disabled kids in school. Topics include:
-The 1976 presidential election between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford
-Challenges faced in the Carter administration such as the energy crisis and inflation
-Television shows people watched in the 1970s such as Happy Days
-Women and African-Americans running for elected office
-Judy Heumann, who founded Disabled in Action to advocate rights for the disabled

Xiaoxiong I think it's the descriptions on the webpage - Molly is waiting for her father to return from his duties in the army, but her English friend and summer camp will get her through....pull together for the common good....blah blah.

I like it! Would love it if I was six!

Can I just ask - would you say this a normal amount to spend on a present?

OP I bought my DDs Madeline
LIke AG, they're age appropriate and child shaped rather than skanky ho Barbie or Bratz...
They'd have prefered AG though.

We bought a Gotz doll called Elizabth. My daughter (9) loves her so much and it is the best money we have ever spent. We do have to have a proper baby car seat in the car for Elizabeth which is taking it a bit far but I have been assurred that Elizabeth will be three years old soon and can transfer to a booster seat ! (Yes I know I should have kept her rear facing for at least another year!!!)

Madeline is cheaper but not cheap and a different kind of doll by the look of her - nice though.

We can't get anything for the dcs here but we're travelling in a couple of weeks so what I'm hoping is that DD sees something else she likes then - nothing to distract her with until then! Otherwise I may have to bite the bullet.

Well, as I said my DGM got Molly for me because she was the same age as Molly at the beginning of WWII. It was a great way to talk to me about it when I was 9 or so - I would read the books and ask her all about her memories. I know it's not quite the done thing to be so overtly patriotic in the UK so understand if you find it over the top.

In general I think there's so much worse out there and these are educational, have positive feminist and other messages and aren't pinkified and over-sexualised like so many toys out there aimed at tweens. I appreciate they're very expensive though - I used to get the various accessories spread over many birthdays/Christmases.

I think there's a shop in the west London Westfield called London Girl which sells very similar looking dolls plus matching party dresses etc for girls and dolls alike.
It's expensive and I found it a bit creepy but as others have said there are worse dolls out there.

I don't think there's anything wrong with them at a child's level but I just don't like them, or the price. Perhaps I'm slightly lamenting my dcs moving away from British culture .

Get her one! I would have loved these dolls at 6 years old.
I think they are totally age appropriate, they look fab!

Just think on Christmas morning when she unwraps it... :)

Santa has become a bit complicated over the years as it's always so difficult to get anything. We are just about settled on (I think) Santa not being able to carry everything in one go for all the children in the world so he has to buy from places nearby.

Hm, $100 is a bit much for a doll, but then, that could be the main present with a few little one's on the side.

Then she can have a dress or two for her birthday, or do lots of jobs around the house to save up her pocket money for it.