American Girl Doll - worth it or over the top?

Chances are if you have a little girl or know a little girl you'll know about the American Girl Collection. 

American Girl Dolls are a collection of dolls from various times in history starting in 1764 up to today.  They are hippy girls, civil war girls, girls from the great depression and this years doll McKenna a gymnast.  Each girl has their own outfits and accessories from her era, a story book and DVD so you can get a feel of what it was like growing up in their time.

Not only are there dolls from various times in history but you can also create your own doll.  There are 44 different combinations of hair and eye colour, and skin tone to tweak your doll to look just like your child.  Not only can the doll look your child physically but you can also buy matching doll and child outfits so they can dress identical too.

So I have to say, I think initially this was a great concept.  Dolls teach children to care for another being, it's a great start in learning how to nurture and love another person.  They also help build imagination and create role playing situations, help grow fine motor skills and coordination, for example fastening the dolls clothes or putting them in and out of a stroller.  These American dolls also give an education into the history of girls over the years which I think is a really great idea.

However.........these dolls come at a price!  Including tax, an American Girl doll comes out to about $115 (but it does come with a book).  Is this too much to pay for a doll?  Are we being blinded by this company into thinking that they are worth every penny?  We can go out and buy a doll for $20 that would give the same educational value to a child and read books from history educating us on the different eras the country has passed through and how people lived. 

I personally feel that American Dolls are just 'over the top'.  And here's why.......

Last Tuesday I spent some time at the American Doll Place in Manhattan, this wasn't my first trip to the fifth avenue location (I am a nanny remember).  The child I look after was allowed to have an American Girl Doll as a 'summer gift' so off we go to NYC to have afternoon tea and bring home McKenna!

This is a 4 story building just for the American Doll company.....yes I did say 4 stories!!!  This location has so many dolls to choose from, every accessory known to dolls, story books, work books DVD's there are even pets for the dolls and pet accessories....and it is always packed (with girls and dolls dressed alike).

There is a doll beauty parlour where you can drop your doll off and choose from an array of different hair styles, for $20 you can get her hair braided by doll stylists.  The doll can also get her ears pierced here for a mere $14. 

There is a doll photo studio where you can pose with your doll for a picture that can be featured on the front of your own magazine, prices start at $23. 

At the Creativi Tees shop you can design and create your own T-shirt for you and your doll

There is a doll hospital where you can check out any medical issues your doll may have, kind of funny really .... a very serious looking woman in a white coat came out to check on one girls doll while we were there. 

There is also a bakery and a snack shop and a full restaurant where you can have brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.  If you are planning on dinning there please book in advance....we tried to book for lunch 2 to 3 weeks before we went and it was FULL, hence afternoon tea!

Oh and my absolute favourite of 'over the topness' is the fact that the store has personal shoppers for you, your child and your child's doll!!!!!   WHAT??????

So, what do you think?  Is all this too much?  Over the top?  Are we completely blinded with commercialism and keeping up with the Jones'?  Or is American Girl Doll worth every penny that you can spend there?


Here's the link if you would like to check the dolls out for yourself.
www.americangirl.com