American Girl Dolls?

**steelergal** · 01-19-2008, 11:20 PM

My four year old really wants one of these dolls (we receive the cataloge in the mail and she spends hours looking at them!), and I was curious if they are worth the money?

I noticed at Target they have a doll similiar to the American Girls called Our Generation Dolls- but a third of the price (and some come with an extra outfit and/or a playset)- but after looking at some of the comments (I guess they have pretty bad hair?) I am not too sure.

Can anyone give me advice on these dolls? We are going to start doing a quality over quanity for my girls birthdays and Christmas (it would be cheaper in the long run!) and this would definatley qualify and a quality item if everyone really recommends them (but not so great on my frugal budget!).

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 01-19-2008, 11:24 PM

I don't know about the quality of the dolls?? We avoid buying anything American Girl because they contribute to something we don't approve of (Planned Parenthood).

I've found the Cabbage Patch Kids are made well...and if your girls would like to learn to sew there are many patterns available and it requires very little fabric so is an inexpensive teaching method.

Hope this helps...

Jo · 01-20-2008, 06:58 AM

I love the AG dolls(I have a son, but my niece has several and I have bought some accessories)...however, I didn't know about the Planned Parenthood thing...sigh.
That aside, the dolls are VERY well made and if something goes happens, you send the doll to the "hospital", and get her back wearing a hosp. gown and an id bracelet! I have purchased clothes for the dolls online(it's been a while...google AG Doll clothes)....women with cottage industries making clothes for the dolls. Cheaper and a different "assortment" than the catalog...and some also have furniture too.
One thing I have heard, is that 4 yo might be young for the "big girl" dolls, but check out the Bitty Babies. They are adorable(and again, accessories are avail. online for less). I also like that they actually come with BOOKS and teach history. My mom loves the "Molly" doll(WWII era)...she "had" all of those things, and I sure recognized the newest 70's doll(though I was a teen then, not a tweenager).

**ballylarkin** · 01-20-2008, 07:21 AM

I do not know too much about them other than the fact that they are so adorable (but I guess that's my opinion...lol). I think the quality is good.

**Lady_V** · 01-20-2008, 07:48 AM

I didn't know about the dolls at Target. I know we were saving up to get Ivy for DD this Christmas. I have been knitting and crocheting sweaters, jackets, leg warmers etc for her now... I have the patterns and material to sew some dresses too.

I will check out the dolls at Target, as much as I love DD, if there is a doll under 3 figures that looks like the AG and can wear the same clothes, I'm all for it! That means I can 'splurge' on a special item for her or something!

**frugalwanttobe** · 01-20-2008, 08:33 AM

One year we went to the American Girl store in New York City. My daughter got 2 dolls when she was there. It was with her birthday money that she bought them. I just told all of the relatives to give her money instead of gifts that year. She absolutely had a ball for herself. When I look at the amount of hours that my daughter plays with the dolls, talks about the dolls, watches the movies and reads the books and the catalogues I feel they are worth it. My daughter has a real love for history and she understands parts of history, WWII, that many schools do not teach about until high school.

I think about all of the other toys that I have bought her and they have come and gone but the American Girl Dolls are still here. With all of that said I definitely think they are worth it.

**momishem** · 01-20-2008, 08:47 AM

My daughter is 10 and for the last two years she has been swooning over the magazine/catalog that gets sent to our house about every 6 weeks. My mother bought her one last summer and she loves it. I will say it is very well made and the hair does seem to stay nicer than the other dolls she has. We took a trip to Chicago this past summer and went to the AG store there and she was thrilled! The look on her face was priceless! Whom ever thought up this concept is a genius!

The dolls from Target are very nice, too. She has three of those. The clothes are interchangable with the AG dolls. We have bought more Our Generation doll clothes because she likes them just as well and it is a lot cheaper than AG.

Also this past Christmas my mother purchased the entire set of the 6 inch dolls for her and gave her some on her birthday in November and the rest in December. She plays with them almost as much as Nikki, her full size doll. They are well made also, and are $20.00 each.

**steelergal** · 01-20-2008, 09:21 AM

Thanks everyone! I think since she is so young I will get her an Our Generation doll first (to see if she truly enjoys it- which I bet she will) and maybe I will get a couple of the American girl books so I can see if she would really like one and/or decide which one to get her!

Thanks again!

**mcphlips** · 01-20-2008, 09:29 AM

My DD has the Our Generation Doll from Target. I bought it about 3 years ago (She is 7 now) and she loves it. There is nothing wrong with it, and she plays with it frequently. I know she would like an American Girl Doll, but I think they are expensive, and for now she is very happy with the Generation Doll. We by her clothes for an 18 inch doll just like the American Girl. We often find great clothes at craft shows that would fit both.

**Neeley** · 01-20-2008, 11:19 AM

We have bought DD several AG dolls plus the books, movies, clothing, porcelin figurines, paper dolls and other accessories over the years (she is 14, still has all of her AG stuff and still gets the catalog).

The dolls are great and I love the story that each doll has about her life, heritage, etc... It was money very well spent. If I ever have another daughter or granddaughter, I would definetly get her AG dolls, too.

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 01-20-2008, 12:28 PM

Both of my girls (13 & 5) have a ag doll, and they both love it. my 5 year old plays with it everyday, their quality is awesome. i think its worth the money, only if your child will take care of it, and play with it often.

**nancycg56** · 01-20-2008, 12:48 PM

My DD had 2 of the AG dolls growing up (she's 23 now) and they are still in fabulous condition. We put them and all their "stuff" away and she will be giving them to her children or grandchildren. The books are really good and I think she had every one of them that were out at the time.

She has the Felicity doll and for a report in school we went to Williamsburg (we live very close) and took pics of Felicity all over the place including with Thomas Jefferson, Layfayette, Washington, etc. (all re-enactors) and then she wrote a report including the pictures. It was really cute

**Mamaof2rugrats** · 01-20-2008, 05:39 PM

I've on occassion seen new in box american dolls on Ebay so you may want to check that out.
They are definitly good quality and worth the money if you can afford it.

**wulong32** · 01-20-2008, 06:31 PM

OMG, that would have been the best gift ever when I was younger! I use to stare at every page of every catalogue. Samantha was my favorite...

**karone** · 01-21-2008, 12:08 AM

my fav was the molly story where her family takes in a girl from england (i think thats where she was from, havent read the book in over 10 yrs). i knew they made the dolls but not movies.