'American Girl' Dolls - A House of Fauci's Discussion

If you are a mom, grandma, aunt etc... to a little girl you have probably heard of the American Girl  store. Growing up I loved to play with dolls of all kinds. I played with dolls that could pee and dolls that could swim in the bathtub (retail value $10-$15). It was not until my Lexi was born in 2005 that I had heard of an American Girl doll; thank you Nana.

For those that know me, I am cheap. When I go shopping for clothes, I go straight to the Clearance section and when I have a chance to clip coupons I clip them and I get giddy when I get FREE stuff. With that said, I cannot wrap my mind around a doll that costs $75 plus. I just can't do it! I love my girls and I love their creativity when it comes to playing mommy and playing house, but I think they can do that just as good with a doll from Target that costs $20 (or less). So with this mindset of mine, how is it that my girls now own around 5 American Girl dolls each (except for little Bella- she has 1)?

I cannot take the credit for why my girls have ended up with so many dolls. The credit goes to my husband and his mom. When my Lexi and Gia were younger their Nana got them a Bitty Baby to share. At this time I had no idea how much that doll cost and when I found out I was amazed and did not want the girls to touch it, but had to let them. Before my youngest was born or even thought of, my husband wanted to get the girls their first (and in my head-- their only) American Girl doll. Even though I knew the cost of two dolls would really hit the pocket book, I stood aside and let it happen. They were thrilled and truly loved those dolls. 

Years later their Nana, who I might add has an AMAZING talent for finding bargains joined an American Girl doll Facebook group. With her talent she was able to wrangle up each of the girls 4 more American Girl dolls (Not the littlest one, she is too little). She surprised them with one for Christmas and then could not wait any longer and surprised them with the others a few months later. (I wish she would spaced them out, but she is the Nana, it is her decision). Then a few more months later when my middle child heard that we were going to Houston for the weekend, she some how conned her dad into getting them a set of Bitty Baby Twins and Bella her very first American Girl doll. I just stood and shook my head. 

So while we were in the great city of Houston, Texas we went to the doll store and my oldest two grabbed the twins and I was hoping we could walk out without my youngest even knowing what was going on, but she is a smart one and asked if she could have one also, so daddy obliged. 

While we were at the American Girl doll store I did a little bit of people listening (not watching but instead I had my ears open). Let me tell you that this store is never empty. Each time we've gone, including this time, the store is packed full of little girls and their moms or grandmas. Most girls, except mine, are dressed too cute and they have their little dolls with them and a lot of them are carrying them in a little American Girl doll bag. It's cute, really, just not over $75 cute. These girls and their mamas are hardcore American Girl doll fanatics. 

Okay, back on topic.. Here are a few things that I heard while I was people listening. I passed by a grandma and her grand child and it was sweet. Her grand daughter had a few American Girl doll bags, those awesome and sturdy red bags, and she was asking her if she had fun shopping. Then I heard a mom instruct her husband where they needed to go in the store to get 'Julie's' clothes. The most interesting conversation I heard was when I was in the restroom. I took my seat and then all of a sudden I heard another mom tell her friend that since her daughter started skating lessons that she needed to get her doll some skates and a gymnastics outfit and if she did not get her doll all of this she would be crushed. The entire time this mom was talking, all I could think about were dollar signs! Then I asked myself, 'Was the child going to be crushed if she did not get these outfits or would the mom be crushed?'

I guess if I was rich I would embrace the American Girl doll store and play along like a lot of the moms and grandmas I witnessed. Unfortunately, I am not rich but I also have the bargain shopping mentality. I think it is sweet that each child can pick the doll based on how they look and that each doll has its own personality. I do enjoy watching my girls play 'mommy' and 'teacher' and actually get along with each other as they play. I just can't swallow the cost of the dolls and the accessories, but they are cute. 

So what are your thoughts? Do you have any American Girl doll experiences? Are you an American Girl doll fanatic, if so, please explain to me the obsession of it?