Wow! What a varied bunch of responses. Really cool to see how you view the idea. [img]wink.gif[/img]

I have bought ahead, a year at the most, but it has been according to my child's tastes at the time. They were clearance toys only and yes, some of them were not played w/ or enjoyed, so I REALLY limit those purchases now. The old toys get weeded out & sold at least twice a year to cut down on clutter & make room for things they do love & play with...like AG, which btw, I would never sell. They do have special toys that we will always keep.

I have never bought what I liked/loved in hopes dd or ds would like it. If I like it, it guarantees dd will NOT. lol. I think Samantha is adorable & I love everything about her collection. DD's opinion on Sam? "She's o.k.".

Off season clothes? YES! I buy those BIG time. Just stocked up for ds5 & dd8 for next winter. Ds2 wears 95% hand-me-downs from his brother I am very fortunate that only a few items have been relegated to the "Mom, that's itchy, ugly, or I don't like it" pile. I resell all clothes that are still in good shape (Ebay for really nice stuff & children's consign. for the rest) & no tags are removed until they are ready to walk out the door wearing it the 1st time.

It is very sweet to buy a special toy or doll ahead of time for an expected (or just dreamed of) child. I was talking more of buying whole collections. That seems a little much to me. I do think it makes a difference though, if you have a baby who totes dolls all day. She will most likely grow into other dolls. I don't like the idea of kid's feeling obligated to enjoy what someone else does or relatives/friends disappointed when they don't.

I hope all the dollies that are bought are loved...as an idea of a future child (like Teri said, yes you made perfect sense to me [img]wink.gif[/img] ),for a growing little girl or for all the mom's & grandma's to play with.

Bren [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]

P.S. I followed my dd's lead on AG. If she had been waiting on direction from me, it wouldn't have happened. I didn't know much about them. I have loved all the phases dd has gone through..loving stuffed animals, Barbies (briefly), Wizard of Oz, Disney Princesses, baby dolls (at 7 1/2), and now AG. I get to be a kid again & enjoy all these "new" things w/ her.