The Doll Diaries

Hi, dolls. For those of you who’ve followed my AGIG for years, you have seen firsthand my love for American Girl dolls and my growing collection. I have been actively collecting AG since I was a little girl, but I did take a break in 2012/2013. Of course, I was another adult who fell back into AG during COVID.

I’ll never forget my first moments with AG, which was luckily for me in the 90’s. I was able to grow up in the Pleasant Company era and the early Mattel days, which were very different from what the company is today. I opened my first AG doll on my fourth birthday (November 4th). I still remember the feeling of opening the beautiful box, which my mom wrapped in pretty wrapping paper. She wrote my name on the wrapping paper with glittery fabric paint.

I opened the box to find a Girl of Today #12 doll inside, who I later named Olivia. On my birthday I also got the Girl of Today holiday outfit for that year for my doll (and a matching outfit for me) and the Girl of Today violin set, because I played violin as a little girl. It was a truly magical birthday. I felt so lucky and I knew this doll was special. She was different than any other toy I had ever seen or held.

Then, for Hanukkah/Christmas a short month later I got my second AG doll. I received Molly McIntire. She was adorable with her little glasses and her braids. I loved that she didn’t look anything like my other dolls (Barbies, or Olivia my Girl of Today). Molly stands out and her collection, although not one of my favorites, is very cute. I officially had two AG dolls who quickly became my favorite possessions. My grandmother also bought me a Bitty Baby around the same time, I believe for my fifth birthday.

My childhood AG doll collection consisted of Olivia (Girl of Today #12), Molly McIntire, Kaya, Emily Bennett, Elizabeth Cole, and Rebecca Rubin. I also had the iconic Coconut and Licorice (mascots for the Just Like You line), Steps High (Kaya’s horse), Tatlo (Kaya’s wolf pup), and Sombrita (Josefina’s goat). These characters filled my days with joy, smiles, and creativity. The doll’s historical books inspired me to love history (especially women’s history) and the glossy pages of the American Girl catalog inspired my love of marketing/design. I would flip through the catalogs for hours and dream of designing my future house like some of the historical vignettes featured. I wanted furniture like Kirsten’s and a birthday party theme like Samantha’s.

Now, years later, as a woman in her late twenties I have over forty American Girl dolls (many Pleasant Company or retired), countless doll outfits, and many AG animals. I am incredibly proud of my collection and it is a part of who I am. I live for finding amazing AG finds on eBay, going to my local American Girl doll resale shops on the weekend, and taking doll photographs in their beautiful outfits. It’s an expensive hobby, but I am forever grateful for it. My AG hobby gets me through the tough moments and gives me something light and cheerful to always lean on.

Thanks for reading and enjoy my future posts!

Xo