Every year, everyone wants to know: what are the best, the top, the hottest dolls for the holiday season. This year, as always, I present my hot holiday dolls for children, for 2008. The only change I've made to the way that I compile my list is that I have not included any wild, luxury items on the list this year, thanks to the slow economy worldwide. But, that hasn't stopped me from including some higher-end items, such as this year's very hot and very fun Elmo Live!
1. Elmo Live!
Fisher-Price
Elmo Live is the "it" doll for 2008 thanks to his repetoire of life-like speaking and motion. Elmo will come to life for the child or collector on your list, through song, stories, jokes, and interactivity (he has several sensor pads and will throw kisses, laugh when tickled and more). Although expensive, with a suggested retail of $69.95, Elmo does come with batteries and will be ready for fun all holiday season or under the tree on Christmas morning.
2. Happy Holiday Barbie 2008
Mattel, Inc.
This lovely Happy Holiday Barbie doll celebrates 20 years of Happy Holiday Barbie. The first Happy Holiday Barbie was released in 1988, and started the Barbie collecting craze. This year's anniversary edition comes in a stunning and elaborate silver gown, and for the first time, has rooted eyelashes, giving Barbie an extra glamorous and slightly vintage look. With a suggested retail of $44.95, Barbie is presented in a pretty display holiday box.
3. Webkinz Snowman
Ganz, Inc.
Webkinz are still hot! And, if you are budget conscious this holiday season, it is hard to find more value than a Webkinz plush. The Webkinz Snowman is the first Webkinz that is not an animal! When you purchase a Webkinz, you get a full year of play with the Webkinz on Webkinz.com with a virtual copy of your Webkinz doll or plush--you can dress your Webkinz, feed it, play games with it and decorate it's elaborate virtual dollhouse. Popular with both boys and girls, Webkinz can be found from approximately $13 to $16 each.
4. Hannah Montana Singing Holiday Doll
Hannah Montana is hot! This doll has taken the hearts of little girls and the aisles of toy stores by storm. Created in the likeness of her television persona, Hannah Montana dolls come in many styles, just like a Barbie or a Bratz doll. My favorite this holiday season is the Hannah Montana Singing Holiday Doll. She is dressed in red and white modern styles, and sings Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree when you press her button. A keepsake ornament is also included. Suggested retail is $34.99
5. Juku Couture Dolls
I'm always excited to see a new fashion doll hit the market, especially one with a fresh concept. Juku Couture Dolls are fashion dolls that are inspired by the mismatched, layered fashion looks that originated in Harajuku, Japan. The dolls are made of high-quality plastic and also give a bit of a nod to the popular, expensive ball-jointed dolls by having set eyes and enhanced poseability. Suggested retail is $19.99, and the dolsl come in four styles, with additonal fashions and accessories sold separately.
6. Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy
The Fancy Nancy character, based on the book of the same name by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, has taken the doll world by storm. There are several wondeful versions of this doll available, including several by both the Madame Alexander Doll Company and the Tonner Doll Company. This particular Fancy Nancy stands 10 inches tall, and comes with her Posh Puppy. She retails for $39.99.
7. The Diamond Castle Princess Liana
Denise Van Patten
This Barbie is a character in the latest, popular Barbie animated DVD movie, Barbie and the Diamon Castle. She sings two songs from the movie and wears a gown that magically transforms with the flip of a switch from plain to fancy. Her necklace lights up when she sings, and she will sing a duet with the Princess Alexa doll (sold separately). She requires 3 "button-cell" batteries, which are included. Suggested Retail is $29.99,
8. Fancy Nancy Cloth Doll
Denise Van Patten
I couldn't resist addding one more Fancy Nancy to my hot holiday dolls list! This is the huggable, cloth version of this popular doll; very nice since she can be taken to bed at night, or put in a bicycle basket, and otherwise enjoyed in the myriad of ways that an unbreakable, comforting cloth doll can. Suggested retail is $44.99 for the 18 inch version; a more expensive 29 inch version is also available. These dolls are by Madame Alexander.
9. Corolle Marie Interactive Baby
Corrolle, Inc.
This interactive baby doll from Corolle speaks two sentences in six languages! She also enables her little mommy to record a message up to 1.5 minutes long that Baby Marie can play back. She is a soft bodied baby doll with sleep eyes and brushable hair. The two sentences that Marie says are in French, English, Spanish, German, Italian and Dutch, and they invite her mommy to record a message and to brush her hair. Marie is 17 inches tall and has a suggested retail of $79.99. Corolle also has many other baby doll styles available, many in the $30 price range.
10. Prince Ian Ken (from Barbie and the Diamond Castle)
Mattel, Inc.
It's time for a Ken doll to make my annual list! The Prince Ian Ken is a particularly nice Ken doll, and a prince to boot, from the latest Barbie DVD movie, Barbie and the Diamond Castle. Ken is a good value, at only $12.99 suggested retail. Ken comes with is guitar and is dressed in an outfit from the movie.
