American Girl Dolls: The Perfect Gift For Your Girl

I do not have children, so I never heard of American Girl Dolls until my niece started asking for one. I love my niece to pieces and decided to buy her one for her birthday.

After a bit of research I find out the dolls came out in 1986 and sold by a company named Pleasant Co. I was a kid in 1986 so why haven't I ever heard of these dolls? Then I remember the Cabbage Patch Kid craze back then and now I know why. Another reason I probably never heard of them is because back then, American Girl Dolls were mail order only, there was no internet and there were no American Girl Doll stores.

The idea of the American Girl Doll was to create a doll for each special era in American history and to teach children important life lessons while learning about history at the same time.

The line has expanded since then. In addition to the historical dolls, there are also babies and twin toddlers. Your child can even create her own special doll that looks just like her.

The American Girl dolls are well made dolls. Each doll represents a ten year old girl of a certain era in American hisory.

The hair is rooted, soft and easy to comb and style. The face and limbs are vinyl, while the body is made of soft cloth. The eyes open and close and have thick lashes. Dolls come in different ethnicities, eye color, hair color and facial shape.

There are more than a dozen historic dolls that represent different time periods and ethnicites. Each doll comes with a story book. The book is historically accurate and in the books, each girl faces her own unique challenge in life. The stories deal with issues like racism, poverty, death and divorce. The book that comes with the doll is part of a series. Additional books can be bought or can be found at the library.

In addition to the book, sold seperately are movies, accessories, pets and clothes from their time period. Each doll has a hobby and you can purchase items for their hobbies, like rollerskates and dance recital outfits. Each doll has a bedroom set and accessories unique to their time period.

In addition to the historic dolls, your child can create a doll and make it look the way she wants it to. Your girl can choose from different hair colors, lengths and textures, skin tones, eye color and even freckles. After the doll is created, she can add accessories, like glasses and braces and choose an outfit. This is all for additional fees.

Some of the items for purchase really were surprising. Among some of the accessories were a first aid kit, toothbrush set and even a wheelchair. You can even have your doll's ears pierced and have braces put on.

Twins dolls are sold together and represent todlers of about two years old. Your child can pick from a variety of twins. Your child can choose identical or mix and match. They even have boy dolls so she can even choose boy-boy twins or boy-girl twins.

Twins come in Caucasian (blonde or brunette), African American, Asian and Hispanic.

Choose from African American, Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic. These baby dolls are really cute and accessories include cribs, strollers and highchairs.

Each year a new doll is created to represent the girl of today. Right now that doll is a stunning Hawaiian doll named Kanani.

Dolls can be purchased online, however, there are several stores located in select cities across the US. If you live in one of those cities, you can go to the store. Some of the stores have restaraunts inside them. You can bring your daughter and her doll to a tea party, lunch or dinner. Your child can even have her doll's hair styled at the store by a real hair stylist for a fee.

In conclusion, let's go over the pros and cons of American Girl Dolls.

Pros:

• Dolls, clothing and accessories are of very high quality and are made to last
• If doll happens to get ruined there is something called a "doll hospital" where you can send the doll and have it fixed.
• Teaches children about history and life lessons
• Dolls come in different ethnicities, hair colors, hair texture and eye colors.

Cons:

• Dolls are expensive and all accessories are sold seperately. A standard 18 inch doll costs about $100. That does not include any accessories.
• Limited stores and purchasing is mainly online. Buying online includes shipping and handling fees. Shipping delays are possible and returns take longer.

On a final note, my niece loves her doll (she chose Julie) and she takes her everywhere. Although it was a pricey doll, I love it and I'm happy that she does too.