Opinions wanted for accessories...

[Monika]

My family (me included) are very new to AG & (thanks to the CODE) have accumulated quite a bit of the historical collections for each girl - we currently own all the dolls except Kirsten. My question is this: for young girls, what is the most desired of the accessories? I originally thought I'd just get the dolls & clothes, but when I went ahead & got the lunches I learned that the accessories really do increase the playability of the dolls. Unfortunately, I do not have the means to get all the accessories & am really thinking that the school acc.s should be our next purchases, but with the latest nighttime necessories feasco, I'm worried that these are headed for extinction & I'll be kicking myself for not getting these first. SO, if you collected as a young girl, or if you have young girls who are 'playing' with AG items, what do they like best? Esp, ones in the target age group. Most of these items I will be putting away for the next several years, since they are so fragile, but I hate to miss a must have that will be gone all too soon - I really miss the amusements (winter, summer) & think they would be great to play with.
Thanks,

Monika [img]graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

[mom_to_an_americangirl]

I would collect the amusements and then go on to the school items. I love the beds and my five year old loves setting the tables and having tea parties.

I am in fear of the accessories going away as well and am compiling a list of what I am missing then doing a code order. I am in a panic now because of Kirsten....

[mayergirl]

the school accessories were always my favorite, my friends and I played school with our dolls constantly. All my little school books have "lessons" in them that my friends and I made up!

[horsemom]

As a kid, my favorites were the school stuff, the birthday stuff, and the summer stuff. My best friend and I loved to act out the stories, and it seemed these items added the most playability.

[courtneysunshine]

Monika, my daughter will be turning eight on Monday so I guess she would be considered in the target age group. So far, she had really played with the school accessories. We homeschool, though, so this may be why we get the school accessories out more. I've also noticed that she plays with the scenes and settings a lot. We have the nighttime necessities, but they are still in boxes just because we don't have the room right now to keep them out.

I know how frustrating it can be to try to figure out what is getting ready to go before it does. We've been very fortunate this year to be able to purchase the things we want so we haven't been caught by the retirements, but it is still frustrating nonetheless. I would never have thought that Molly's Radio or Kirsten's Nighttime NEecessities would be gone. Maybe they are just going to be recreated in a better form.


Hope this helps

Kim

[MaryCarly]

My favorites:

Kit's school bag and supplies
Kit's typewriter
Kit's Lunch
Kit's Waffles

Kirsten's school supplies
Kirsten's pottery
Kirsten's birthday cake and strawberries
Kirsten's Lunch
Kirsten's doll Sari

Kaya's Lunch
Kaya's dog

Josefina's doll

Molly's Party Games

Addy's Lunch
Addy's Gardening

Nellie's doll

Any of the pets

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ February 24, 2005 07:03 PM: Message edited by: MaryCarly ]</font>

[judiaci]

My daughter is 9. She likes to play school and sleepover with her dolls and friends. They like to play with the AG food - that includes the lunches and the birthday food. The birthday dishes get played with a lot. We have Sam's summer accessories (little play use)and Sam's nightime nec. (little play use - just display).
We just got Kirsten's carpet bag and Sam's valise. Surprisingly, my daughter is playing with these a lot. The dolls pack up their stuff to go sleep over at their friend's houses. I agree that the accessories are a big part of what makes these dolls fun for kids. One of the accessories that we use a lot is the retired AGOT nighttime treats with the bowl of popcorn, pretzels, cookies, platter, cards and teddy bear. You can still get the cookies, platter and pretzels for something like $3 in replacement parts. These are out a lot. This set is pictured in my sleepover album.

We have 2 beds and those are always in use also. I wouldn't worry too much about Kirsten's nightime set. They may reconfigure it and make it sturdier. Unless you are planning on have an entire Kirsten bedroom, I wouldn't bother buying it. We only have room for 2 bedrooms - Samantha's and an AGOT one. Therefore, I am not buying any of the other nightime necessities even though I think they are cute.

[Grapedy1982]

School stuff! That was always mine and my sister's most played with items when we were playing with our friends. And their pets and their dolls. And games or amusements if they have them. I have Molly's retired amusements set with the little nurse paper dolls and adore them.

[QNPoohBear]

I would say go for food items! Kirsten's party treats have gotten the most use from me. I also agree with the amusements. Anything that can be used in active play is always good. Addy's winter fun is awesome, it's a shame they retired it.

[mistee_magic]

I think when I was little I liked the dolls' dolls best, but I don't think that I thought about accessories then, I was too busy dreaming about what doll I would get! Now I think I like the lunches and table settings best.