I have TOO MANY DOLLS!

[Felicity Merriman]

I have a pretty big collection of American Girl dolls. I have all the historicals except for Nellie. I'm planning to put my Felicity on ebay, but I'm having second thoughts. But I really am starting to see the darkside of having so many dolls. The thing is that I'm really starting to get overwhelmed by having so many dolls to collect for! And I'm really starting to think that it would be a lot better just to have two or three dolls--maybe just the two or three dolls you really like. Today, I have started to consider selling some of my American Girl dolls, just to limit the collection, and as a way to get money to build on the collections of the few dolls I really like. Out of my collection, the only dolls I really ever pay attention to, and really like, are Kaya, Josefina and Molly. The other ones I have--Felicity, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha and Kit--I really don't pay much attention to. And the sad thing is is that for a very long time, I really loved Kirsten. But...I just don't really care about her anymore. BUT, I would feel really bad about selling such a majority of my collection, and am really worried that I would have major regrets if I did afterwards. And when I talked to my mom about my idea...she was VERY upset. Yes, I am in my 20's, and still live at home while I go to college. And my mom is very...attached to my collection. And she thinks I'm crazy for having even thought about doing such a thing. But...I would really like to have only a small collection of dolls, and a lot from their collections. I really, REALLY do envy those here who have only one, two, three or even four dolls. DON'T get anymore! [img]wink.gif[/img] ...But really-have you ever felt this way? And what would you do in my case?

<font color="#051E50"><font size="1">[ April 02, 2005 04:56 PM: Message edited by: Felicity Merriman ]</font></font>

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ February 10, 2007 05:16 PM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]</font>

[mayergirl]

Well, I have 14 dolls. They currently live with my parents, since my apartment would NEVER fit them all. But first, I must say, I miss them terribly. And, since I was little and started collecting, it has never occured to me to collect quickly or to play with them all at the same time. I understand your desire to spend more time with the dolls you feel closer to, but I think that you'd probably regret selling your dolls. Maybe you would consider using the dolls you don't really feel are special as display dolls, or if your mother really loves them, you can use them and their accessories as gifts for her! Get her into collecting, and then, not only will you not regret losing your dolls, but you'll be giving them a good home, as well as creating something you and your mom can do together! That's just my thoughts.

[Stephanie31802]

I think that if you are thinking about selling your collection, you should do if very gradually. First I would pick one or two dolls that you want to sell and only sell their outfits and accessories slowly. This way if you change your mind about any of them, you have only sold a few items that could easily be replaced. After you've sold some clothing and accessories reevaluate how you feel about selling parts of your collection. If you still feel like you want to do it, I would continue selling slowly. This way if you have any regrets, you would not have sold anything major. I would do it this way because it sounds like you are having some doubts. Also, I feel like I have to mention how luck you are that your mom supports your collecting. I am 24 and my mom thinks that I am too told to collect dolls (although she does think AG has beautiful doll... but for chldren!). I just got my 5th AG and I am wishing now that I had limited my collection to just 2 or 3 dolls. But I am now way too attatched to them to sell any of them! Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[linzystar]

I have a hard time parting with any of my AG stuff, even stuff that I don't ever use. Especially retired items...I'm worried I'll change my mind later and have a hard time finding them again. [img]graemlins/thinking.gif[/img]

[JuliaAM]

I never wanted lots of dolls and still don't. But I now have 6 and after a trip to AGP, I'll have 7. To me, that's a lot.

Josefina was first and will always be first.
Then I got Kit because I loved her stories.
I love Molly's and Samantha's stories and an antique book from my childhood so I bought AGT16 who fulfills all those.
Then came Nellie because my AGT is sorta Samantha when she's not Molly or Susanna Laura.
And Marisol was a suprise from my dh.
Recently I got AGT 11 who speaks French but she hasn't told me her name yet.
Soon I'll have AGT 24.

I don't keep them all out though. That's just TOO many dolls to have around. But I do like them all and they seem to go together as friends.

Just like relatives - you love them all and enjoy occasional big get-togethers for reunions and holidays. But no one wants a bazillion cousins, aunts, uncles, and sundry twice-removed relations living all under one roof. That's gets to be too much.

So my dolls spend time off in the closet. It's refreshing to get out a doll I haven't seen for a while and dress her in something different for a change. Mixing the dolls around and placing them in different settings makes them more exciting and the friendships become more dynamic too. I don't think I would keep 7 dolls if I had to move them around all the time or look at them. I'd probably get bored of them because they'd always be in the way.

Do you have a way to store some of your dolls somewhere? You may feel differently about your collection years from now. Perhaps you can give some to your mom too, especially if she has favorites.

Julia

[judiaci]

Your situation does seem overwhelming to me. We have Kirsten, Sam and Felicity as our core historical collection. We just added Nellie who can basically share Sam's stuff. For AGOT we have Kailey, Marisol and Maisie. I like the other historical girls (Addy, Kit, Kaya and Molly) but it would be very hard to have the space and the funds to collect for all of these girls. If you want to sell a doll, maybe you should consult with your Mom. Maybe she would be willing to buy one of your dolls to keep the collection in the family for a future grandchild or just for her own pleasure. Good luck with your difficult decision. If $$$ is not important, consider just boxing some of the dolls up temporarily and see how you feel without them - sort of like a trial separation.

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ April 02, 2005 07:54 PM: Message edited by: judiaci ]</font>

[Ds9jullian]

I personally agree with boxing them up and putting them away because unless you need the money I wouldn't sell them. I boxed mine up for nearly six years and the joy of getting them out again was like Christmas all over again.

Ashley

[ponydreamer]

I felt exactly like you are feeling, last summer. I sold a huge portion of my collection. I didn't "need" the money, but I wanted to purchase soemthing else. I feel really greedy if I spend lots of money on myself. ( Weird, I know)

Anyway! I have replaced only a few things that I sold. I did get another Samantha, and a few of her outfits. I have not replaced any of the furniture that I had, and I don't know if I ever will. If I ever buy more furniture, it will most likely be for Addy...and I have never had any of hers.

I enjoy my collection so much more if it's not really huge. I like to keep everything in balance in my life.

I am a huge supporter of selling parts of your collection that you do not enjoy anymore. Especially if you plan to use the money to expand your collection with other items. For example: Selling some dolls to purchase furniture or clothing. Or selling a doll that you don't connect with to buy a different doll. I have also sold doll clothing that I didn't like, and turned around and purchased something that I did like. It's not fun, if I don't like the things I'm collecting, or if I feel bogged down.

The choice, though, is ultimately up to you. I am getting quite a few dolls again, myself. I think I am going to put some away. I am starting to feel kind of overwhelmed again, so I really do know how you feel.

[MareGathersWords]

I must be one of the few people that want all the Historicals, to find an affordable Kailey and Lindsey, and I have two AGOT's on my list...the Asian and AGT4, who will be Indian. That's like...15 dolls...16 if I make my childhood Molly an AGOT and get a newer Molly. Then again, I tend to interaction with my dolls one on one or one on two. Ultimately I'm making a big display for them, so they will be display and play...so I can be doing something with all the dolls (display) and then enjoy them as the mood fits me. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Felicity Merriman]

I think what I am going to do is keep Kaya, Josefina and Molly, and give Kirsten to my mom. Kirsten is my mom's favorite. But there's no way in a million years that my mom's going to pay $100 dollars (actually $150 off ebay) for a doll, so I'm giving it to her for nothing. Or, I'm really just keeping it for her. The other dolls I plan to sell...though slowly, one at a time, along with their clothes and accessories. If any one here would be interested in a pre-Mattel Felicity, pre-Mattel Addy, pre-Mattel Samantha, or Kit, please PM me. I would feel a lot better selling them to someone on here, who I know will love them [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img] ...

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ February 10, 2007 05:18 PM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]</font>