Last year, when we asked our then-second grader what she desired for Christmas, her response was shocking: “I want an American Girl Doll!” I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure.
As a child, I adored reading, especially the American Girl series. The tales of Molly, Samantha, and Kirsten whisked me away to different eras and taught me about life in the past. But now? With their stunning collection of dolls, elaborate outfits, and furniture that rivals my own, the only journey these American Girls take you on is straight to financial distress. Can I say that? Perhaps time to look into credit counseling.
These dolls start at over $100, not to mention the designer outfits that are practically mandatory for any respectable American Girl doll owner. Sure, there are dozens of dolls to choose from, or you can even create one that looks just like your daughter.
I was puzzled last year when I saw a Facebook post that read, “WARNING: THE AMERICAN GIRL CATALOG HAS ARRIVED!” If I had known, I would have done anything to intercept that catalog before my eager second grader got her hands on it.
When she shared her plan to ask Santa for an American Girl Doll, I knew we couldn’t justify that expense. I felt clever when I explained, “Santa doesn’t deliver gifts that don’t align with the parents’ values.” Dodged that bullet! I had used the same logic when explaining why Santa wouldn’t be bringing a puppy the year her sister was born. Unless he was also providing a year’s worth of wine and a puppy-sitter, there was no way I could manage both a newborn and a puppy.
But seriously, $120 for a doll? We’re not living in the era of Cabbage Patch Dolls anymore!
Speaking of Cabbage Patch Dolls, let me present Exhibit A: she once begged for one, and now that doll spends most of its time… well, you can see for yourself in this candid shot.
Not only did she buy a second Cabbage Patch Doll with her Christmas cash, but both dolls are now lost to the depths of her room. Honestly, I have no idea where they are.
If I genuinely believed my daughter would cherish an American Girl Doll, I might consider it. I would have loved one at her age. But my daughter isn’t the nurturing type I was at seven. And that’s perfectly fine; I’m not about to splurge on a toy that doesn’t resonate with her. Unfortunately, after that fateful catalog arrived, she decided that these dolls were indeed her thing.
She promptly decorated her walls with posters from the catalog, competing for space with Disney stars. In my view, the only reason she wants one is that she thinks everyone else has one. And perhaps they do. But our family has chosen to allocate our funds differently; for the price of one of those trendy doll outfits, I could buy myself a nice pair of shoes!
So unless I find a used doll on Craig’s List, there’s no way Santa’s bringing a mini-me doll down the chimney this year. Instead, we opted for Plan B: we snagged a discount doll from a store, and to our surprise, she was over the moon thrilled with it!
Months later, this “Julia” doll is now perched on the top shelf of her closet, disheveled and unclothed. Case closed.
This year, no matter how much she pleads, we’re sticking to our decision: no American Girl Dolls.
In summary, while the allure of American Girl Dolls is strong, my daughter’s interests simply don’t align with the investment required. We’ve found joy in alternatives, and I hope other parents can find their own paths that suit their families.
For more insights on parenting and family choices, check out our other blog post here. If you’re interested in at-home insemination options, consider visiting Cryobaby for reputable kits. For additional information on fertility options, Hopkins Medicine is an excellent resource.
Leave a Reply