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.

My Dd is 7 and gets the American girl catalog in the post, no idea how or why but she wants one too.
If you go to Target they have the fake versions and all kinds of clothes for them. They look quite nice I remember having a similar doll in UK when I was a kid.
Luckily my Dd hasn't asked for one again this year (yet) I tossed the catalog before she came home from school.

Here they are OP they are the same size as American girl dolls.
www.target.com/c/best-friend-dolls-toys/-/N-569y6#?lnk=lnav_t_spc_1_2_0

I'm really at the price, and at everyone saying you should get one!

My oldest dd is 5 and last xmas all she asked for was a yoyo. Clearly I need to prepare myself for big changes over the next few years...

We have one! Living oversees. DD1 was dying for her. Got her under the following conditions

• she was way too expensive for Father Christmas so she had to pick up all spare change she could find in the three months leading up to Xmas to help him
• there was NO certainty she would be under the tree
• it was absolutely worth it!
• we make books for her, and clothes (with staplers and tape!) and she is loved to this day!

I'm surprised at people on this thread saying they could sell a doll after their DD has got bored of it. I used to cut my doll's hair and put them through krypton factor assault courses.

chunkythighs that is indeed an expensive piece of crap! Are you going to get it? At least playmobil (equally expensive) is almost impossible to break - can you direct him that way?

Akissisnotacontract I used to love the krypton factor. Also the Adventure Game - do you remember that? Except I thought they actually disappeared at the end .

my DD got an expensive doll for christmas one year and loved it and played with it for many years. She collected the clothes but if either of us had had sewing abilities then that would have been another way to clothe her dolly. We still have her in the attic, ready for any Grandchildren who come along. If you find the dolls repulsive then maybe find another make that's more appealing. I didn't tend to succumb to pester power and found that when her dad did (it was always him!) the toys tended to have short lived appeal- he didn't care though as the joy it gave for a few weeks was worth it to him.

Do what you think is right and be fair. I can't remember DD ever crying or shouting at me because she didn't get something so whatever i got her must have been satisfying. I think only the parents can gauge exactly how set their child is on something and how long they will enjoy it for.

Just showed DD Design a Friend and she is jumping all over saying she wants "Chloe". £19.99 but how much postage I wonder?!

They're lovely dolls scorpionne my 7yo sister has one my dd covets a lot (sophie I believe) and won't settle at Grandmas until she finds her and pretty much strokes its hair the whole visit, there's a deal for £29 with another outfit and accessories pack. That's what I'm getting dd.

Sounds a good deal. Can just imagine my dd stroking the hair too!

My dds nearly 4, and a year of her affection hasn't turned it into a matted mess which is why I've now caved and said she can have one, I had visions of chaos but somehow a quick brush and they look good as new.

I think that American Girl dolls are really lovely and very nice quality dolls. My 8 year old niece (who lives in US) has 2 of them and I love regressing and playing dollies with her when she comes to stay. They have softish bodies so they feel nice to handle (does that sound weird ?) and they're a really good size. They are definitely 100% better than the hideous pink Barbie option.

I do agree that all the accessories are a bit much but I've recently made a couple of outfits for her dolls and have a couple more planned for Christmas so if you're crafty you don't have to spend very much money at all on a wardrobe for them. Loads of free tutorials and patterns available online.

Sorry to bang out about how lovely they are. I have serious doll envy. Is 42 too old to ask Father Christmas for an American Girl Doll?

OP where are you? It says on the Argos website they deliver to mainland UK and Northern Ireland. There is Design a Friend stuff on Amazon UK but it's much more expensive.

I'm also looking at Designa friend dolls at Argos for dd, they've got good reviews. Quite big though at 46cm. Is this much bigger than the Corolle les cheries dolls for example?

QueenofToast of course you can put an AG on your Santa list. I think my dd may be 42 before she gets one too.

Doublemum we are in the middle of nowhere - a remote island in Asia. Not even any postal service. Christmas and birthdays are a nightmare every year but the dcs have been pretty good about it tbh. It would be nice to get them a proper present. There is a chance someone DH knows is coming out here to work so we may be able to bribe ask him to bring a few things from UK. But the doll is 46cm and in a box presumably?

Doll-wise I think that they're fantastic. I'd much rather see kids with these as opposed to Bratz!

When I was younger I got a baby born and a load of accessories as they were popular at the time. It was my favourite toy though and I played with it constantly until I was about 12 I think so it was worth the money at the time!

YABU to be discussing Christmas presents when it's only mid-October.

Saving for Christmas presents, fine.

Buying things when you see them cheaply, fine.

Discussing Christmas with a 6 year old? No.

OP can you do any crafty bits like sewing or knitting? As others have said it's be a good way to get new clothes for the doll?

I want one. Good God the pregnancy hormones are messing with my head.

Get her one if you can afford it. Christmas is magic when you are six and if she is surprised by something she really really wants she'll always remember it.

I want one of those dolls for me! I think its very pretty! At least she hasn't asked for one of those monster high dolls that look like zombie hookers :)

Yes they do come in a box (I can describe it exactly if you wish as for some strange reason it appears to be sitting on my bedroom floor), and so do the outfits and accessories, all beautifully encased in tissue paper. In fact the attention to detail makes these amazing for the price. I'd suggest getting someone to post one to you but that isn't going to work with no postal service! Not sure what else to suggest though.

I would have loved one of those and my dd woud love it too. I would get her one if you can afford it

tHe doll is fine, I haven't really looked at the prices. It's unfortunate for the uk Market that they have called the baby doll Bitty though

Starwhatpirate my DD is into Monster High and I know exactly what you mean!

I'm really anti all this over consumption, marketing at kids, and twee products like this etc. I try to only get second hand stuff for environmental reasons unless there's something my DC is desperate for.

Do you let her watch tv commercials? If you do, I think it's a bit harsh to expect her to understand why you don't want her to have one. I totally understand and agree with your reasons not to get one, but if she is being targeted by the marketing she won't. I'd maybe consider giving in this year, then banning tv to minimise similar requests in future, if you feel so strongly about not giving in to such shallow consumerism.