The Presents in The Box

 

Like a kid on Christmas morning, I am always excited to receive the always beautifully wrapped presents (many of which contain doll-related gifts) that will be in the annual box I receive from my closest out-of-state doll friend, Debra Richardson.  We refer to one another as "bestest" doll friend.

This year's package arrived the week of Christmas and did not disappoint.  From what she has told me, the one I sent her did not either. Like I do for her, Debra probably shops all year for Christmas presents for me.  This package must have weighed 15 pounds!

I will focus only on the doll-related contents, which like a kid (again) are the packages I hunted for first after opening the shipping box on Christmas morning. I selected the ones I thought might contain something doll-related to open first.

Nicole Miller "Take Cover" Barbie-themed, fabric covered, two-doll case

The Nicole Miller Barbie case was one of the first presents I opened.  After unzipping it and saying to myself, "She found one!" I rifled through the contents and I took the following quick photos:

A dress for a one-of-a-kind (OOAK) doll I own, vintage Barbie separates, and a 1970s Barbie clone were inside!  The clone is the "she found one" that caused my excitement.

Here's another quick photo of the Barbie clone, Veronique.  A better photo follows.

Here is another photo of the dress for my OOAK doll that Debra made based on measurements I provided.  The doll models it later.

These are the vintage Barbie mix 'n' match separates that were inside the Barbie case:  red and white check body blouse, which is part of the Barbie picnic set #967 (1959-1961), white cat-eye sunglasses, and vintage Barbie-tagged orange pants from another 1960s Fashion Pak. (The body blouse looks orange and white but it really is red and white as seen here).

Veronique was possibly made for the European market only by Tov Toy.  She wears a navy blue print dress that matches the exterior colors of the Nicole Miller Barbie case.  Black mid-calf boots complete her fashion.  Veronique was offered by an eBay seller from the Netherlands.  I had seen this and other Veroniques on eBay but was not willing to pay the exorbitant shipping.  When Debra asked me for my "wish list" I told her I am always in the market for Black Barbie clones from the '60s and '70s, more specifically, dolls that actually look like #1 Barbie.  Veronique does.  Her legs are made of much thinner plastic than that used by Mattel, but I am thrilled to own her.

Veronique looks very similar to the head sculpt used for the original Barbie as illustrated in this close-up shot.

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In one of our November conversations, Debra asked, "Did you ever find the Beyoncé doll you've been wanting?"  My answer was, "No."  She instructed me to stop looking.  I knew what that meant.

Part of a three-doll set to represent the members of the former singing group, Destiny's Child.  This Beyoncé portrait doll, by Mattel with copyright year of 2005, looks more like the entertainer than any other doll produced to date.  From the three-doll set, I only wanted Beyoncé and now I have her thanks to my "bestest" doll friend, Debra.

A photo of a much younger Beyoncé appears on the back of the box along with a description of Destiny's Child.

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The dress made for my doll, Kizzy (an 8-inch pose-able, hand-carved doll by Kor January), is shown again above and below with the doll wearing it.  I tapered the bodice for a more snug fit and added two buttons to the front. 

Kizzy loves her new dress, which is worn over her original green and tan, sewn-on houndstooth dress.  She sits atop her hand carved stoop holding her two favorite books and her furry companion, Sam.


Here, Kizzy wears her original dress made by the artist which is sewn onto her body

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Because she knows I collect Barbie holiday ornaments, I can count on Debra to always include the current Barbie ornament in my Christmas package.  The 2015 ornament, that I will enjoy on my Barbie ornament Christmas tree next year, is shown above.

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"Presents for All" 10-inch Santa by Kurt Adler

Not exactly doll-related, but close enough for me to include in this post, is an African American "Presents for All" Santa by Kurt Adler.  Debra and I normally exchange Santa figurines, but this year I had asked that she not send a large Santa (10 inches is large) because I am running out of storage room for my Santa collection.  I believe she had already purchased this one prior to my request, which is the reason she sent him to me.  Just like there is always room for one more doll, I have found a place to store Santa and his box until I have the opportunity to enjoy him with the others I will display for Christmas 2016.

As you can see, I received some very nice doll-related items from my "bestest" doll friend, who is more like a sister than a friend, whose friendship I will forever treasure.  

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