This post is dedicated to another doll I picked up at Oddball's Collectibles & Claire's Antiques- Vintage 1998 Tree Trimming Barbie. This type of doll is referred to as a 'grocery' store doll, or the types of Christmas/ Holiday dolls sold in Target, Kmarts, or grocery stores around the holidays for about $8-10 dollars. They were extremely popular and were considerably less than the Happy Holidays 'collectible' line- which was not considered playline. When I look at what Mattel has done to the Happy Holidays collectible line- how the quality has gone down- shoddy boxes, low quality gowns and materials used, low quality dolls- the dolls are really dolls that you would give to a small child to play with- not for display with your silkstones or your Bob Mackies. (I will get off my soapbox now, lol) I think that is why I have begun to collect so many of the older 'vintage' dolls- yes the 1990s and the 1980s are considered 'vintage' now. I purchased this doll at the store out of box, in a baggie with her little accessory and her brush. I love her hair. I have shown her here with Caroling Fun Barbie around the tree, I am now going to look for some of the other grocery store Barbies too as they make a great holiday scene at Christmas time. They are really cute in their sweaters, especially with the holiday Kellys and Tommys. Enjoy!
