A nice doll

[Rubybrazilianwax]

Dd's birthday is Boxing Day and I'd like to get her a really nice doll. Not a baby doll, she has a few. One with hair that you can dress. I have been looking at the American Girl ones from US sellers eBay. Ha anyone bought one of these? Are they worth the money? Or if anyone else can suggest one please

As a cheaper alternative I'd get her a design a friends from argos. My dds are obsessed with them and they're 6&8! All their friends in school have them and they're the only dolls they've every really loved. They are very pretty and you can buy loads of clothes and accessories for them. I don't know anyone who doesn't love them! Near me they are the latest craze and have been for nearly 2 years. I even bought school uniforms for them on eBay in their school colours!! Mine have a whole collection going now :)

How old is she? Dd collects AGs - she loves and adores them, but I would say they are an older girls doll. Look on instagram, youtube etc to see the endless stop motion films and photo montages dedicated to AGs. Some girls take it to an art form! A really nice website for dolls is my doll boutique. They are the only UK website that sells AGs here (expensive though!) But the doll clothes they sell are very reasonably priced.

Yes, I think American Girl dolls are very good quality and worth the money. I'd recommend.

Kathe Kruse and Gotz dolls are similarly nice and good quality (similar price too).

I'd forgot about the Argos ones actually. Will go over and request one out to look at.She will be 4 this year. merrylegs thanks I'll have a look at that site, it sounds like my idea of heaven, a whole site of dolls!
Thanks for all your suggestions everyone

My dd is nearly 10 - she had no interest in any doll until she discovered American Girl. She loves them and all the accessories that come with them and they have become a bit of an obsession in our house! Dd3 now wants one for Christmas but I think she's a little young at only 4. They are amazing quality and I would say they are worth the money - the hair is so different from any other doll I've ever bought.

Can I ask whereabouts people buy American girl dolls from the uk ?

There's a website called My Doll Boutique. But I personally find it works out a bit cheaper if you order the doll directly from the US.

I don't think id know where to start with ordering from the US !

It's daunting at first but is quite easy really. You send them an email with the item numbers of the things you want and ask them for a quote plus a shipping quote, saying you are ordering from the UK. They send you a provisional invoice and you can see how much it will cost. Then you have to call them with your card number if you want to go ahead. The orders I placed only took 5-7 days to arrive.

But be prepared to pay £50 to get your dolls and accessories shipped. Then there's the tax...

Definitely recommend the design a friend range from Argos. My DDs (8 & 7) love their's and play with them all the time. Lovely dolls, lovely clothes, and a reasonable price.

Check out Petalina.

We have Gotz Hannah and some Corolle Les Cheries. My dd has an Xmas bday and we pooled all her money to have her Gotz doll(was great as no tat).

The Argos dolls have hair that frizzed v quickly(dd has several friends with them) and are soft bodied. I prefer the dolls on Petalina as I find the AG dolls look a tad chipmunkesk as does dd.

I'd get some opinions from your dd first.

You can blow dry the hair on Hannah but they have loads of other dolls,all v good quality,soft and hard bodied.

Shipping from AG is $65 if you buy a doll and I found the import charges are 25% of the total cost.

The customer service at Petalina is excellent.