Fondest Childhood Christmas Memory by Sharon Rainey

One of my most faithful readers asked me if I would publish a post reminiscing about a favorite Christmas in my childhood.  I promised Betty I would do this.  I have also asked several others to allow me to share one of their fondest childhood Christmas memories.  Their stories will be shared first.

Today's "Fondest Childhood Christmas Memory" is shared by Sharon Rainey:

Internet-captured photo of 1st Issue Velvet

When I was about 10, I wanted a Velvet (Crissy family) doll for Christmas. I spoke about her for weeks prior; she was all I could think about.

On Christmas Eve, I saw her on TV, and told my mom, "That's the one!

She's what I want for Christmas!!!" The next day, there she was, and she became my favorite doll.

Years later, my sister told me the "true story" about Velvet. When we saw her on TV, my mom realized she'd bought the Crissy doll. She and my older sister went to several different stores trying to exchange the doll. It was getting late, and stores were closing. No one had the doll. Finally, my mom tried one more store, and they had her! My mom asked if she could exchange Crissy for Velvet. The man said no, because my mom did not buy the doll at their store. My mom pleaded, "Please sir, my little girl wants the Velvet doll. I got the wrong one, and I can't find her anywhere else. It's Christmas Eve, and the stores are closing. Can't I exchange it here?" The man relented, and I got Velvet.

When I heard the story from my sister, the spirit of love and Christmas overwhelmed me, even though it had been decades since. I purchased another Velvet several years later, and gifted my mom Cynthia with one too.

Sharon added:

The man that exchanged the doll for my mom was a white man, and times being what they were in the '60s and '70s, my mom was not sure if he would let her exchange it. My mom said he was so nice and kind about it.

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Thanks for sharing your story with me and the readers of this blog, Sharon.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and am very happy for you that your mother went through such great lengths to purchase your beloved Velvet.

Merry Christmas!

To The Readers:  If you would like to have your fondest childhood Christmas memory published in the days and weeks before Christmas, please email your story for consideration to blackdolls @ sbcglobal .net (close in the extra spaces inserted in the email address).  It does not have to be doll-related, just warm and fuzzy.  :-)  Thanks in advance!

dbg



Check out my eBay listings here.

Ava DuVernay Barbie to Become Reality for Only a Few

The Ava DuVernay doll sold out in 6 minutes at TheBarbieCollection (.) com website.  The retailer from whom I preordered may or may not receive the expected quantities.

Way to go Mattel:  Reproduce a one of a kind doll in an ultra limited quantity so that only a few people can purchase, many of whom will probably list the doll on eBay for triple or more its retail.  Yes... way to go Mattel!   Way to go!

Update:  12/10/15:  I received a refund for the deposit I paid to reserve the Ava DuVernay doll along with the following note from the retailer:

Note from [merchant]:

* * It is unfortunate news that Mattel has cancelled ALL orders for the Ava Duverynay Barbie Doll # DPP89 and they will not be shipping them to any USA retailers. As per our policy, we have issued a 100% refund for your pre-paid Reservation Fee. This is completely out of our control...

So I will not be purchasing the Ava DuVernay doll, which has already been listed on eBay by scalpers wanting as much as $300 for the doll.  Again, way to go, Mattel:  keep manufacturing ultra limited quantities of in-demand dolls; keep the buy dates and links super secretive, and see how well that works for you.


dbg
Check out my eBay listings here.

Today's Girls x2 Are No Longer Homeless

Today's Girls, Sabrina and Eva are 18-inch American Girl-style dolls

Being a sucker for a cute face that wants to come live here when the cute face is also being offered at a price I simply cannot refuse must end. I have to develop the ability to just say no to these dolls in all shapes and sizes that tempt me into unnecessary purchases.

I was minding my own business (as I always do) when photos were shared of My London Girls, Sabrina and Olivia (sold only in the UK).  The same head sculpt is used for Today's Girl dolls, Sabrina and Eva, which are sold in the US by CP Toys, a division of Constructive Playthings.

Sabrina and Eva had both recently been offered at a reduced price on Zulily.com.  At the time of that offering, Sabrina tried to convince me to order her.  I could tell as I looked at the ordering page how much she wanted to change her environment to come live with me and the others who have succeeded throughout the past two and a half decades in their pleas to relocate, but I refused her.  I was proud of myself that I did not cave in and order and that the doll eventually sold out at Zulily. But then it happened.

A few weeks later, I went to Zulily.com and discovered the doll's availability again.   Oh Dear!  Her sister, Eva, that I had seen previously was also available.  After asking the owner of the London Girls about the sturdiness of the body and learning that it is similar in construct to American Girl dolls, I succumbed.  I ordered Sabrina and her sister, Eva, too!  Oh my! Where will I put them? I wondered immediately after I clicked the "place the order" button.

Again, my weakness is attributed to their adorable faces and the Zulily price of only $19.99 for dolls comparable in quality (with the exception of their hair) to American Girl dolls.  Did I really need another 18-inch doll, or two?  No, absolutely not, but "want" trumped my reasoning.  No, it's all Sabrina's fault.  She needed a home.  How could I refuse a well-made, reasonably priced "homeless" doll?

I do plan to do better in controlling these impulse purchases.  I will try to ignore the cuteness factor and "good" price in order to maintain my stance that I really can admire dolls from afar without owning them.  I will try... I wrote, I will try, okay?  Developing a game plan is a good start to gaining control over the inanimates and their excellent pleas and reasons, like "I'm homeless," to come live here. (I'm homeless... Sabrina saw me coming with that one and Eva didn't have to utter one word.  She just stared at me through the screen looking cute.)

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Today's Girl dolls are 18-inches with vinyl heads, full vinyl arms and legs.  Their cloth bodies match the color of their complexions.  At the Zulily website, Eva's eyes appeared lighter than they actually are.  Both dolls have dark brown stationary eyes.  Sabrina's complexion has a reddish undertone.  Eva has a light caramel complexion.  Their clothing is very well made with removal items such as hats, Eva's scarf, and Sabrina's vest attached with plastic fasteners.  Their heads are marked Lotus/01G 180/China.

Unlike American Girl dolls, Today's Girl dolls have rooted hair, with strand placement relatively close. These two have two ponytails with a front side part.  Sabrina's hair has a curly texture while Eva's is straight.   I like the texture of AG Addy's hair over the silkiness of  Sabrina's and Eva's.

dbg