AIBU to ask about Reborn dolls (ashton drake)

[fourandahalfkids]

Good afternoon. I know this is quite a controversial subject. Some people hate them, some think they are scary, some think they are weird. But I am after some advice from people who might know about them.
My dd is going to be 14 in the summer. She is quite young for her age. Developmentally and educationally she is on a par with her peers she just still likes to play with dolls. She recieved a cheap Chinese made doll off Ebay from a family relative last birthday and she loves it and is asking for another one this year.
We dont have hundreds of pounds to spend so I have been looking for a decent one for around £150.
I came across the Ashton drake site and have narrowed it down to 3. Savana (2014 photo comp winner), little peanut and Annabelle hugs (monkey girl).
Does anyone have any experience of buying dolls from Ashton Drake? What are your thoughts please?

I know there will be some who say that she is far too old to be buying dolls for but I'm happy while she still wants to , her best friend also shares her passion for reborn dolls and designer friend dolls so she's not alone in this. Teenagers grow up so fast these days and I honestly thought she would leave the dolls behind soon after joining secondary school but she just isn't ready to let go of her childhood yet and I really dont mind that at all.

Thank you .

[MarshmallowsOnToast]

Would anybody want this one either? Not sure I see the appeal, although some of the others are quite nice.


www.shellysreborndolls.co.uk/shop/girls/marnie-atomically-correct-girl/

[riotlady]

Go for it! I collected (and secretly played with) China dolls well into my teens- I would still have them now but my partner is scared of dolls xD

[EveryDayIsADuvetDay]

I thought they were a bit creepy - until I saw the pig.
ewwwwww

but if you like them, and think your daughter will, why not?

but not the pig.

[Rockbird]

If I was in the market for one it'd be Rosie

[Twospaniels]

Not a fan, but I think Little Peanut is the nicest of the three you shortlisted.

[AllThatDrama101]

@fourandahalfkids, I have sent you a PM.

[Rockbird]

The older I get, the more I like the dolls. I really wasn't a fan when I was younger. But God the monkey is weird, creepy and weird.

[TrickorTreacle]

@WelcomeToGreenvale

Look into ball-jointed dolls, there's a huge community and they're cooler than reborns.

Absolutely this!

Use the search term BJD to find out more. There are communities such as BJD Addicts and Den of Angels. The main thing to try and avoid discussing are "recasts" which are not the same quality as legit dolls.

[AgeLikeWine]

These dolls are weird, creepy and odd.

[IHateCoronavirus]

I think it is lovely she is still allowed to play and be innocent. The dolls are very life like. I would have loved one as a child.

[Bluntness100]

Christ that pig One.

Those dolls really give me the creeps. And I also see no issue with her playing with dolls at fourteen but I’d be concerned about giving her something so creepily realistic when she can have babies herself soon.

[Runmybathforme]

I think it’s lovely that your daughter loves her dolls, you sound like a great Mum, but, I can’t stand the bloody things. I know they come to life when everyone’s asleep. Creepy as Hell.

[Laiste]

Sorry Op, that was rude of me.

There's nothing wrong with enjoying these dolls at all. I was just a bit shocked about the pig one.

I think the Shelly dolls look almost too real. Less fun cuddly newborn and more tired hard work newborn!

[Laiste]

www.shellysreborndolls.co.uk/product-category/reborn-animals/

[Laiste]

Oh my god the reborn pig!!!!!

[DanceWithYourBalloon]

I'm not a fan of the dolls as I think they are too real looking for their own good!

However I think it's nice for kids to stay a bit childish and innocent. It's sad seeing teenagers coated in makeup and duckfacing all over insta.

Also some people collect Lego, others stamps. What's the difference with dolls?

[MittensTheSerpent]

So weird...

[Butterbeeeen]

For reference we have the Shelleys Princess Sasha.

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

The monkey ones are really creepy. I don’t know anything about these - just clicked from trending - but I think the Shelly dolls looks better than the Ashton ones to my completely untrained eye.

[deste]

People sell the really expensive ones on Ebay, might be worth a look and that would leave money to buy nice baby clothes for it.

[Mammyloveswine]

Oh I love Annabelle! But I live orangutans! Savanna is lovely too!

[ViciousJackdaw]

Annabelle Hugs makes me want to cry. The poor bloody thing isn't even a monkey, it's an orangutan. They're part of Bradford Exchange (Princess Di plates and shit) so I'd imagine the quality is shoddy to say the least.

[Soubriquet]

I really want a life like reborn but I can’t justify spending ££££ on them

The most life like I’ve seen was £1500

[Lobsterquadrille2]

I bought myself a large-ish doll from Hamleys when I passed my chartered accountancy exams .... I was 24. She's called Alice and sits in my bookcase. I like Savanna, OP and I'm afraid that I agree with PPs about the monkey.

[ToothFairyNemesis]

The Shelley’s website dolls look much nicer. The reviews on amazon for savannah and little peanut are not very good.