Help! I’ve been birthday shopping for my darling almost-two year old daughter and can’t find what I’m looking for! The list of what I don’t want sounds rather like a Dr. Seuss book…
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| Claire needs a new doll. This one is 25 years old! |
I do not want a sleeping doll
I do not want a weeping doll
I do not like a peeing doll
I will not take a talking doll
I do not like a smelling doll
I do not want a growing doll
I will not feed an eating doll
I will not clothe a wetting doll
I just want a nice, cuddly baby doll for my daughter. I’m asking my dear readers ’cause I know many of you love little girls and may be aquainted with a cute doll or two. What’s your favorite brand? What doll has held up and is still loved years later? My price range is $15-$30, and I’d prefer an online source as I don’t go shopping often.
I wouldn’t mind if it had hair, as long as it was quality.
I like the idea of a soft body and BPA-free plastic limbs and face.
I don’t want it over-large.
Oh, and I’d rather it wasn’t scented. What’s up with that!??? Have you seen these scented dolls? Who knows what chemicals my baby would be inhaling! Yet my favorite styles so far have all been scented. My question is, does the scent fade after time? If so, I’d get it now and let it off-gas for a while before I gave it to her…
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Her birthday is in two weeks! π
Our dollies are at least 17 yrs old and even some of my dolls are still going strong ( and I'm 45). I have an old madame Alexander doll that is now bald- Grandma just makes a new body when it wears out.
I made an adorable Waldorf style doll 7 yrs ago. “Someone” took a permanant maker and drew a big cupcake on her face because they thought she needed a mouth – hahaha.
So much for simplicity.
I just wrote a blog entry based on your request of looking for a doll: a doll that I treasured in childhood. It sounds like something you'd be very capable of doing, too, since you sew. Of course, these other suggestions from these other ladies are great, too! π
http://pumpkinpiepainter.blogspot.com/2010/11/treasures-from-pastwell-so-of.html
Hi, Trina! The local Mennonite stores around here have a good selection of dolls like that. You'll just have to come visit! I have to admit…I'm a little jealous that you are DOLL SHOPPING! I, on the other hand, am looking for drums and tractors. π
I have the best readers! Thanks for all your ideas.
I have heard of waldorf dolls, pam – even made one once. But, with as dirty as claire gets, I don't think a cloth doll would be good right now. I will save those links, though.
Thanks for the Melissa and Doug link, Christy Joy. I like that she sucks her thumb. π I know Claire would love to give her baby a passy or finger.
Thanks again for all your help! I'll let you know what I decide.
I have nowhere to send you, but I do know that the scented one's… scent… fades after time. π Good luck!!
And, you can get it cheaper though AmazonοΌhttp://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Jenna-12-Doll/dp/B0037UP9MY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1289281317&sr=1-1
Ooh, on a hunch I checked out the website of my favorite brand of toys Melissa & Doug, and found this 12' doll right in your price range!
http://www.melissaanddoug.com/jenna-soft-feeling-doll
I was going to say Bitty Baby's as well. You can find them on ebay within your price range.
They're very high quality, and as a bonus there's a TON of patterns for doll clothes and accessories out there.
Hope you find the perfect baby doll for your sweet baby girl!
You've gotten my two suggestions – Bitty Baby is overpriced, but very nice, and comes in lots of skin/eye/hair color combinations. Over the years grandmas and aunties have come through with more stuff for her.
Another nice choice is a Waldorf style (soft) doll. They are expensive to buy, but you could also make one:
http://www.weirdollsandcrafts.com/waldorf-doll-kit/waldorf-doll-kit.html
Here is a pattern http://www.weirdollsandcrafts.com/waldorf-doll-kit/joys-waldorf-dolls.html
You are so handy, you might like that.
At $45 plus shipping, the Bitty Baby doesn't meet your requirements, but honestly it's the baby doll that has lasted the longest in our house. Well, except the Cabbage Patch doll, but I'm not going to recommend that π My youngest sister (Now almost 18) named all her dolls after food – Mac-N-Cheese, Green Bean, Rice – Your comment about the scent reminded me! π
Lurking reader here…
Have you ever heard of Waldorf Dolls? They are kind of spendy, but they are made of all natural materials, yard hair, cloth bodies, etc. You can buy them here and elsewhere on the internet: http://www.hazelnutkids.com/
Somewhere (maybe Amazon) I saw some Madame Alexander soft dolls, I don't think they had plastic bodies. Check their site to see if that's where I saw them! This looks like my old doll (that my 11-yr-old daughter has), she's a good 40 years old named “John-girl” after my newborn brother, John! My mom couldn't convince me that John is a boy's name, so my 3-yr-old intellect added the “girl” to the name!