Last holiday season, when we asked my then-second grader what she wanted for Christmas, her response left me feeling uneasy: “I want an American Girl Doll!” I took a deep breath and tried to maintain my composure.
As a child, I was an avid reader and thrilled when the “American Girl” series debuted. I loved the stories of characters like Molly and Samantha, which took me to different eras and taught me about history. However, now with the price tag of these dolls exceeding $100, plus the cost of their extensive outfits and accessories, it feels like the only place they lead you is straight to financial strain. (Is it wrong to say that? Maybe I should look into credit counseling.)
These dolls cost over $100 each, and that’s before you even consider the designer clothes that every doll owner must have. There are nearly a dozen dolls to choose from, and the option to customize a doll to resemble your daughter only adds to the temptation.
I remember being shocked when I saw a Facebook post that read, “WARNING: THE AMERICAN GIRL CATALOG IS IN TODAY’S MAIL!” If only I had known! I would have done anything to intercept that catalog before my eager second grader laid eyes on it.
When she announced her desire to ask Santa for an American Girl doll, I knew there was no way we could afford it. I congratulated myself on my quick thinking when she countered with, “But Santa’s elves can make them!” I quickly replied, “Santa only brings gifts that parents approve of.” Crisis averted! I had used a similar approach when explaining why Santa wouldn’t be bringing a puppy the year her sister was born. Unless Santa planned to deliver a year’s worth of wine, a live-in pet sitter, and a whole lot of patience, this Mommy wasn’t ready for a new baby and a puppy.
Honestly, $120 for a doll? We’re no longer in the Cabbage Patch era, my friends. (Look it up, younger generations.)
Speaking of Cabbage Patch Dolls, that’s Exhibit A for why my daughter won’t be receiving an American Girl Doll. Last year, she begged for a Cabbage Patch Doll, and here’s how that doll is faring these days:
I assure you, I did not stage this scene. That doll has been left behind, much like her companion, which she purchased with her Christmas money. Do I have any idea where those prized possessions are now? Of course not!
If I believed my daughter would truly appreciate and care for an American Girl Doll, I might consider it. I would have loved it as a child! But my daughter’s interests differ, and that’s perfectly okay. I won’t spend that kind of money on something she may not cherish. After flipping through the American Girl catalog, she convinced herself that these dolls were essential to her happiness.
She decorated her walls with posters from the catalog, alongside images of various Disney stars. It seems the only reason she’s interested is that she believes everyone else has one. While they may, our family chooses to allocate our funds differently. For the cost of a single doll outfit, I could buy myself a new pair of shoes.
Unless I find a gently used doll on a resale site, there won’t be an American Girl Doll under our tree this year. Instead, we opted for a more budget-friendly alternative, a knock-off doll, and my daughter was ecstatic.
Months later, after welcoming “Lily” into our home, I captured a photo of her new resting place: the top shelf of the closet, looking disheveled and undressed. Case closed.
This year, despite any pleading, we remain firm: no American Girl Dolls will be making their way into our home.
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In summary, while I understand the allure of American Girl Dolls, we’re choosing to invest our resources in other areas, and my daughter is perfectly happy with that decision.