Happy Holidays 2014 Barbie

This doll arrived in very good condition and the seller, I am happy to say, packed in a box- though the box was smashed, no thanks to UPS. It even looked like someone had attempted to rip open the box on one end and then stopped. Thankfully, my doll was intact. 2014 I think was when Mattel was beginning to stop the quality or perhaps 2015, because when we get to 2016, the packaging, the gowns, everything goes downhill from there on the Holidays dolls. 

 This Barbie however, is lovely, she has jewelry at her neck, her hair is very thick and lovely, her gown, though the fabric is thin, the gown is beautiful, and she does come with an ornament. One thing I did like about her was they had used a thickness of cardboard to hold her gown out, which, while the gown is thin-(like more future Holidays dolls to come) it gives us the illusion of a doll with crinolines underneath. I have not yet purchased 2015 but am looking for both versions- there is blonde version in burgundy and white with silver, and the more rare version- brunette in green with silver- which is pricey but not out of reach. I have 2016 Holiday doll in the Hispanic burgundy dress coming- but there were three dolls in that year- it was Peace, Hope and Love edition, so that is going to be a hard year to collect for 2016- and they were rather cheaply made dolls.  So- onto the photos of 2014! The first ones were taken by the tree with the tree lit. 

         She is an extremely lovely doll, especially with the skirts of her gown held out by the cardboard underskirt. 

This is with full light on, her gown has a gold net underskirt to match the lace on her bodice and her gold jewelry.

Her box arrived in much better condition. I am so pleased I found her at such a great price! More pics tomorrow!

Happy Holidays 2024 Barbie

I have just had two Happy Holidays dolls arrive today- but the most important one I purchased was last year's Happy Holidays Barbie 2024- which I missed out on the redhead. She is available on the secondary market but I am not willing to pay double the price she was going for on Target and Walmart. I found the blonde doll in the box with a ding or two on Mercari for $19!! a stunning deal with shipping, which was less than the original cost at $39.99 when I originally looked at these dolls last year. The newer dolls are not made very well but I need them for my Holiday collection- and this one was lovely with the plaid dress. However, when I received her the seller had wrapped her in bubble and paper and then wrapped her in tyvec paper taped around the box, which completely crushed the box en route during shipment. The doll was ok, and so was her stand, thank goodness. I think the bubblewrap was the only thing that saved the doll from being ruined.

Since I am a de-boxer anyway, it didn't really matter, but it still reeks when you buy something and the seller does not understand an item like this needs to be in a box. 

Here she is in front of the Christmas tree, lit. She is really a stunning doll and my photos do not do her justice. The one thing I really hate are those cheap strappy heels that look so playline. The Holiday dolls used to look collector- quality and now they definitely have a playline look to them. 

Here she is in the bright light, no dark /night light. Her earrings are cheap cloudy plastic. I may take them off as they detract from her gown and face.

Now, for the horrible box photos--

As you can see, the box was flattened to the point the plastic window came out of its glue and away from the cardboard. The whole top came unfastened. This doll had a red base on her stand, I am so glad it and the stand were not broken by the careless seller's packing. 

Tomorrow I will show you Happy Holidays Barbie 2014!