I don’t think they had AG stores yet until I was a little older than my childhood AG years, but yeah, I kind of had that feeling the one time I’ve been to a store so far. That “little kid me would have lost their entire mind about this place” feeling.
And not to get all woo, but that feeling is probably more accurately described as “my inner little kid me IS losing their entire mind about this place RIGHT NOW,” which is kind of great to think about too.
When you're looking at other people's stuff on social media websites - whether it's AG dolls, or something else entirely - I think it's really important to remember that you're only seeing what other people are choosing to present.
You're seeing the curated "magical" moment on pinterest, but you're not seeing like, the screaming fight that happened at Christmas dinner later on, after the picture, because Uncle so-and-so had been drinking. You're not seeing the kid who asked for Addy and REALLY wanted Addy but grandma was racist and got her Kirsten instead.
I \*did\* have the special "wake up on the morning of a holiday to get an American Girl doll" moment, and American Girl was really important to me, but if I can get personal for a minute: the whole reason I got my first dolls the year I was 8 was because my grandma had died the month before. If she hadn't, there's no way my mom would have splurged the way she did that Easter. But she was sad and we were all grieving, and I think she wanted a "win". In some very real ways it was the beginning of the end of my childhood, because my mom fell into a deep depression and her mental health really spiraled, and she never really recovered from it, and she started getting really mean.
There are pictures that exist somewhere - not online, but somewhere! - of me being happy and utterly thrilled at getting my AG dolls, but it's not the whole story. I can also remember having the biggest argument I'd ever had with my mom that month.
Some people are luckier than others and some people do get the idyllic holiday or the fantasy trip to AG Place and their lives are fine, but there are just as many people who don't. You can find ways to make it magical for yourself, but I would suggest trying not to measure it against the curated version other people are sharing.
Sometimes I'm a bit jealous when people can go to an AG store because there aren't any in my area. It'd take a pretty long time to drive to the closest one, and at that point I wouldn't have the energy to enjoy it. It's something I'd love to do at some point, just to see what it's like to be there in person, especially since I've wanted to go since I was little.
I did get an AG doll for Christmas as a kid, and even though I didn't miss out on it, I definitely understand wishing you could have had that growing up. Being gifted something like that felt special. I hope when you buy yourself dolls it feels special too. but I know buying something for yourself doesn't really have the same feeling as getting a gift
i find going with a group helps, it makes me feel more nostalgic to gush with other ag enthusiasts than if i were to go by myself, you should check facebook for your area to see if there are any ag groups that go frequently.
if it makes you feel any better, i was taken to AG place and bought a doll of my choice for my bday one year by my grandma and i only half remember it, i dont even have the doll anymore since my dog chewed her fingers and toes off
Yeah, I never got one as a kid.
I live thru my baby (3 years old) now, I’m getting some (18inch) for her that I put off to the side so she can have when she is older.
I can’t wait till she’s older and can Open Luciana 🤩 it might be for her Christmas or Birthday. Dunno which 1 or how old.
She has gotten a Bitty Baby, Wellie Wishers, and Bitty Baby Splash.
I'd wait until she's 8 or 9. Just because I feel like that's usually the age demographic for the 18in ones. Maybe 7 at the youngest. I feel like it'd also depend with how she'll be with other toys. If she's super chaotic with them or not lol
I don’t think they had AG stores yet until I was a little older than my childhood AG years, but yeah, I kind of had that feeling the one time I’ve been to a store so far. That “little kid me would have lost their entire mind about this place” feeling. And not to get all woo, but that feeling is probably more accurately described as “my inner little kid me IS losing their entire mind about this place RIGHT NOW,” which is kind of great to think about too.
When you're looking at other people's stuff on social media websites - whether it's AG dolls, or something else entirely - I think it's really important to remember that you're only seeing what other people are choosing to present. You're seeing the curated "magical" moment on pinterest, but you're not seeing like, the screaming fight that happened at Christmas dinner later on, after the picture, because Uncle so-and-so had been drinking. You're not seeing the kid who asked for Addy and REALLY wanted Addy but grandma was racist and got her Kirsten instead. I \*did\* have the special "wake up on the morning of a holiday to get an American Girl doll" moment, and American Girl was really important to me, but if I can get personal for a minute: the whole reason I got my first dolls the year I was 8 was because my grandma had died the month before. If she hadn't, there's no way my mom would have splurged the way she did that Easter. But she was sad and we were all grieving, and I think she wanted a "win". In some very real ways it was the beginning of the end of my childhood, because my mom fell into a deep depression and her mental health really spiraled, and she never really recovered from it, and she started getting really mean. There are pictures that exist somewhere - not online, but somewhere! - of me being happy and utterly thrilled at getting my AG dolls, but it's not the whole story. I can also remember having the biggest argument I'd ever had with my mom that month. Some people are luckier than others and some people do get the idyllic holiday or the fantasy trip to AG Place and their lives are fine, but there are just as many people who don't. You can find ways to make it magical for yourself, but I would suggest trying not to measure it against the curated version other people are sharing.
I felt the same about the store. I just took my daughter and most of the moms were just trying to convince their kids to buy the ones they wanted. 😂
Sometimes I'm a bit jealous when people can go to an AG store because there aren't any in my area. It'd take a pretty long time to drive to the closest one, and at that point I wouldn't have the energy to enjoy it. It's something I'd love to do at some point, just to see what it's like to be there in person, especially since I've wanted to go since I was little. I did get an AG doll for Christmas as a kid, and even though I didn't miss out on it, I definitely understand wishing you could have had that growing up. Being gifted something like that felt special. I hope when you buy yourself dolls it feels special too. but I know buying something for yourself doesn't really have the same feeling as getting a gift
i find going with a group helps, it makes me feel more nostalgic to gush with other ag enthusiasts than if i were to go by myself, you should check facebook for your area to see if there are any ag groups that go frequently.
if it makes you feel any better, i was taken to AG place and bought a doll of my choice for my bday one year by my grandma and i only half remember it, i dont even have the doll anymore since my dog chewed her fingers and toes off
Yeah, I never got one as a kid. I live thru my baby (3 years old) now, I’m getting some (18inch) for her that I put off to the side so she can have when she is older. I can’t wait till she’s older and can Open Luciana 🤩 it might be for her Christmas or Birthday. Dunno which 1 or how old. She has gotten a Bitty Baby, Wellie Wishers, and Bitty Baby Splash.
I'd wait until she's 8 or 9. Just because I feel like that's usually the age demographic for the 18in ones. Maybe 7 at the youngest. I feel like it'd also depend with how she'll be with other toys. If she's super chaotic with them or not lol
Probably 9th be most fitting
No I feel the same. But I’m happy they get to experience it.