Top 10 Hot Holiday Dolls 2003 For Children

These wonderful babies, introduced by Lee Middleton in 2003, have taken the baby doll world by storm. Fully poseable (thanks to a full armature inside the baby), and as huggable as the more expensive Artist Collection Lee Middleton dolls aimed at adults, children and adults alike cannot resist these sweet baby dolls. The price point--at a suggested retail of $69.99--makes them a wonderful doll for play, but with the quality that will have this doll saved for the next generation.

Now, this is what a doll for children should be! (See my comments regarding Flavas and Bratz below, for a contrast). These dolls arew multi-ethnic, high quality, with their own series of books and fantastic outfits and accessories. Produced by Marie Osmond who, like me, has a "not for my kid" reaction to Bratz and Flava-type dolls, these dolls are high-quality, sized like American Girl dolls, and with modern adventures of their own. Sculpted by Robert Tonner, this is another "forever" doll.

Dolls with their own grafitti wall, and mega attitude, by the makers of Barbie. I would personally choose a Barbie for my child any day, but in the media, you'll see that many 8-12 year olds are outgrowing Barbie and more sedate, sweet dolls, and are clamouring for Flavas and Bratz instead. So, since this is a list of the HOT dolls and not just my favorite of the hot dolls, Flavas are presented here for your consideration, especially if you have a little girl who feels she has outgrown Barbie.

Ok, I don't like the Bratz dolls, and I've made no secret about it. Although I won't be buying these sassy, big-attitude dolls for MY 8-year old daughter, many moms will be, as this doll is tops on the holiday lists of many little girls who eat up popular pop culture hook, line and sinker. Oh, and if you need a portable, tiny Bratz, you can also buy 'Lil Bratz, a miniaturized version of the Bratz doll. You can get Bratz boys and girls, clothing, and tons of accessories.

Each year for the past three years, Barbie has starred in her own animated movie at Christmas time. This year, Barbie stars in Swan Lake. Last year it was Rapunzel, and before that the Nutcracker. All of the dolls connected with these beautifully produced and engaging videos//DVDs have been a big hit, and Barbie in Swan Lake will not be an exception. I dare you to walk down the Barbie in Swan Lake aisle at Toys 'R Us two weeks before Christmas and be able to resist buying her!

I used to think these dolls were for grown ups, until I saw how children react to them in my shop. I have little girls who put these dolls on lay-away, and then visit their "babies" weekly until they can purchase them! Adora Babies are life-like, vinyl babies that have additional clothing available. They come in many ethnicities, eye and hair colors. Not an inexpensive doll, but, like the Treasured Children, a doll your child can keep and hand down to her children.

She's baaaack! You can spend precious dollars looking for vintage Strawberry Shortcakes on eBay, or you can go out and buy the newly updated Strawberry Shortcake for your kids. This is the year of the retro toy, and Strawberry Shortcake is the standout doll in a field that includes Care Bears and My Little Pony. Plush Strawberrys are available very reasonably, and playsets plus more are also available.

Polly Pockets own more stuff, and have more houses, stores, and shops than Barbie herself. You won't believe the world of Polly Pockets. Newly redesigned with clothes and a more "teen" look just one year ago, Polly Pockets continue to be popular with both girls and their moms because of their portability and adorable, teeny, tiny size. Oh--best of all--you can store an entire army of Polly Pockets and most of their accessories on end of a closet shelf! Try that with Barbie.

She's not your typical, historical American Girl. Kailey is a California Girl supreme--a surfer, with a forever tan. Interest in Kailey is especially high for this Christmas because Kailey is a "Limited Edition" doll, very unusual for American Girls, which will only be available for one year, or "until supplies last." So, its this year or never for Kailey under the Christmas tree for American Girl doll lovers!

For lovers of the Neopets web site (a sticky little site where you can raise your own Neopet--don't try this at home, trust me, you'll become addicted...)now you can have your favorite Neopet in a darling little plush interactive toy by Thinkaway Toys. Neopets are going to be HOT this Christmas, especially with the release of the Neopets trading card game this fall, as well as these cute plush toys. My favorite Neopet? A Kacheek, but then, I'm biased, since I've been raising one myself!