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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to buy 2 Barbies for Xmas?

45 replies

2BarbieOrNot2Barbie · 12/12/2025 15:59

I have bought DD5 her first Barbie this year for Xmas. She’s not massively into dolls but does do a lot of role play with teddies and Playmobil. My question is, there is 50%off Barbies at the moment so I could buy her a second Barbie at a reasonable cost. I think it would be nice so she can role play with her 2 Barbies but DH thinks it’s unnecessary as she can just role play with her teddies or just play with the Barbie by herself.

DD is an only so I do sometimes worry about going overboard and spoiling her, but in this instance I think it would be nice.

So AIBU - is 2 Barbies for 1 Christmas overkill? She is getting lots of other bits like Lego, more Playmobil, some colouring stuff, toy cars etc…

OP posts:
elliejjtiny · 12/12/2025 17:04

I was never that into barbies, I preferred my cabbage patch babies, but I had 2 Sindys and a barbie. One of my Sindys had a princess dress and you could take her skirt off to make her a ballet dancer or turn her dress inside out so she could be a bride.

Rosieposy89 · 12/12/2025 18:56

I've bought my barbie obsessed 4 yo dd 4 Barbies for Christmas. It's not spoiling her x

FlatErica · 12/12/2025 18:59

Are you sure you’re not just buying these for yourself? :-D

Butterflywings84 · 12/12/2025 19:00

2BarbieOrNot2Barbie · 12/12/2025 16:57

Well I say she’s not massively into dolls but to be fair we only bought her one which she imaginatively called Baby. But she has played with him a fair bit, walked him in his pram etc… but I see that as a bit different than Barbies which I seem as more role play like Playmobil. I definitely feel like I’ve been given permission. I may need restraining in the toy aisle tomorrow! 😂

I know it may seem like a weird question to ask on the internet but I don’t have a lot of mum friends to ask and DH and I didn't see things the same way (but then again he never had a Barbie!).

My eldest wasn’t really into dolls but loves Barbies. Other way round with my youngest - think they are quite different in how you play with them etc.

mermaid Barbie is often a hit in the bath as well

SpookyGiraffe · 12/12/2025 19:02

You've got your answer about 2 barbies not being excessive but I just wanted to empathise with the worry about having an only and going overboard. I have an only (also DD5) and I often worry that in an attempt to give her a good range of different things to play with it can easily go into overboard territory, whereas I wouldn't worry if I had 2 and they were interchangeably playing with each others toys!

SheilaFentiman · 12/12/2025 19:06

YABU because I also thought that you were going to buy two babies for Xmas.

Two Barbies is fine, though!

Topjoe19 · 12/12/2025 19:07

Get the clothes as well, they love dressing them up.

CaptainMyCaptain · 12/12/2025 20:07

2BarbieOrNot2Barbie · 12/12/2025 16:26

Thanks everyone - sounds like it is a broad consensus that 2 Barbies isn’t massively overbuying. I think I’ll go buy the half price Barbie and then I can think whether to give it to her straight away or see how it goes. I’m sure it could be regifted if needed. And I do love a bargain! 😁

Now to decide between mermaid Barbie or Doctor Barbie. My feminist self prefers Doctor Barbie but DD (despite my best efforts) does love mermaids… 🙄

One of each.

onwards2025 · 12/12/2025 20:09

Maybe don't tell your husband this but give it 2 years and you will likely have at least a box of 20+ Barbie's, as well as houses, various vehicles and players, odd clothes and shoes and accessories, and that is very usual and normal

Astrial · 12/12/2025 20:10

I think i had the ballet tutu, ballgown, bride one too!?

PenguinLover24 · 12/12/2025 20:11

Buy the Barbie! 🩷 X

Keroppi · 12/12/2025 20:19

Buy some off Facebook there will be loads register at this time! Or the accessories like the car etc.

Keroppi · 12/12/2025 20:20

Regifted*
Like buy the new in box ones from the shop and then a few bits off Facebook to go with it like extra outfits, horses or barbie cars. Or a Ken!

Bibbitybobbity70 · 12/12/2025 20:23

2 barbies is not spoiling her & she'll be able to play with them together as you've said.
.
She's not into dolls.....neither was mine into baby dolls at all...but turned out barbies were her thing & played with them pretty cheap until end of primary school. We have a large collection, did get rid of the house as too big to store.

Just give her the mermaid 1st if that's what she's into. I was same & did a mix of dr barbie & mermaid ones for our DD. DD literally wanted to grow up & be a mermaid age 5/6, loved her swimming lessons & spent a lot of time wearing her mermaid tail blanket 🤣Anyway DD 5th yr is currently looking a Physics/maths degree choice so turned out mermaids didn't affect her long term....she still doesn't like baby dolls 'freaky'

Edited to add- definitely get some clothes. If you have anyone who knits there's loads of patterns for barbie clothes. We had horse riding outfits, ski clothes & lovely party dresses passed down from my sis & i to DD who loved them all.

PInkyStarfish · 12/12/2025 21:59

It is essential to have two Barbies so that they can bitch to each other about Ken! 😬

Original poster
2BarbieOrNot2Barbie · 14/12/2025 23:04

Well I did it - mermaid Barbie acquired and added to the secret stash of presents. Thank all for your insights! ❤️

OP posts:
Original poster
2BarbieOrNot2Barbie · 26/12/2025 17:28

As an update to this thread - DD got her 2 Barbies for Christmas yesterday and they were hands down the toy of the day! She loved having two and they had lots of adventures together - including travelling to Spain (?!). Thank to those who commented - it was definitely the right call!

OP posts:
Boomer55 · 26/12/2025 17:30

2BarbieOrNot2Barbie · 12/12/2025 15:59

I have bought DD5 her first Barbie this year for Xmas. She’s not massively into dolls but does do a lot of role play with teddies and Playmobil. My question is, there is 50%off Barbies at the moment so I could buy her a second Barbie at a reasonable cost. I think it would be nice so she can role play with her 2 Barbies but DH thinks it’s unnecessary as she can just role play with her teddies or just play with the Barbie by herself.

DD is an only so I do sometimes worry about going overboard and spoiling her, but in this instance I think it would be nice.

So AIBU - is 2 Barbies for 1 Christmas overkill? She is getting lots of other bits like Lego, more Playmobil, some colouring stuff, toy cars etc…

Judging by the way mint condition toys rise in value over the years, I’d buy 2 and put one away.

Bluffinwithmymuffin · 26/12/2025 18:35

2BarbieOrNot2Barbie · 26/12/2025 17:28

As an update to this thread - DD got her 2 Barbies for Christmas yesterday and they were hands down the toy of the day! She loved having two and they had lots of adventures together - including travelling to Spain (?!). Thank to those who commented - it was definitely the right call!

Ah… good to know you made the right call!

Jinglejells · 26/12/2025 18:39

My 3yo has about 12 Barbie’s. They are all different. Bit miserly to think of 2 as too many.

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