It’s a question I’ve never really bothered to consider before. (That sounds a little strange, as I’ve worked as a toy buyer for several years.) It’s just one of those fundamental truths that I’ve taken for granted over the years – like cats loving cream and umbrellas turning into tea cups just when you need them in a storm. As I grow older, I’m trying to look a little more closely at my own behavior and that of those around me. So when I see children playing with dolls, I notice plenty of obvious and healthy reasons for their activity like:
- Role-playing – Allowing children to act as caregivers, teachers, brides, stylists, designers, stage directors, hostesses, doctors, etc. Spring-boarding the imagination in this way, allows children to identify which roles they have an affinity for. Some doll outfits let little people be big people for a while. (Don’t we all wish we could be adults only when it is convenient and then revert? …Oh wait, I may know a few adults who have mastered this – not always to their credit.)
OR
- Carrying traditions forward from generation to generation – Historical costumes help bring the past to life in a way that preserves embellishments and conventions that might otherwise be forgotten. Books and movies can show it, but there’s nothing like hands-on for learning how something works – or doesn’t work. Outfits with period details like oversized pinafores, nightcaps, hand muffs and capes introduce play pieces which are no longer commonplace in today’s juvenile department.
AND
- Color, pattern and design – fostering experimentation with the visual and tactile elements of doll apparel promotes creativity and an understanding of textile engineering. Plus – who doesn’t like changing up colors and patterns on themselves or the things they love? “Project Runway” has plenty of adult viewers and I don’t care if it’s your Gucci bag or your latest model of farm equipment – changing things up can be a feast for the eyes and build a brand.
- All very sensible and wholesome reasons for encouragement. But…there’s got to be another component that makes it so universal and involuntarily motivated.
Here’s my take on the whole thing:
…..Fun and (let’s face it…) Convenience
- A doll is a friend who is always around
- Shares secrets and keeps them better than anyone
- Doesn’t judge or need to be impressed
- Travels well under an arm or in a handy trunk
- Needs you only when you need to be needed
- Sleeps when tucked in
- Stays awake when you can’t sleep
- Doesn’t ask to share your candy or sweets (but may share if you offer)
- Wears whatever you say looks best –
This leads me to an example of the enormous popularity of it all and of some places where the good reasons and good causes come together. Below, is a listing of upcoming American Girl ® Doll Fashion Shows to which children AND adults are going in droves:
Franklin, TN – Special Olympics TN – October 24-25, 2009
Plano, TX – Junior League Plano – October 24-25, 2009
Colorado Springs, CO – Kid Power of Colorado Springs – October 25, 2009
Mayfield Heights, OH – University Hospital Cleveland (Ireland Cancer Center) – November 1, 2009
Lindenhurst, NY – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church – November 6-8, 2009
Tulsa, OK – Junior League of Tulsa – November 6-8, 2009
Concord, NH – Junior Service League Concord, November 7-8, 2009
Verona, NY – Upstate Cerebral Palsy – November 8, 2009
Potomac, Washington, D.C. – Prevention of Blindness Society of Met WA – November 8, 2009
Mandeville, LA – Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic School – November 13-14, 2009
Los Altos, CA – Palo Alto Auxiliary – November 13-14, 2009
New York, NY – The Epiphany School Foundation – November 13-15, 2009
Kalamazoo, MI – Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra League – November 13-15, 2009
Buckhead, GA – Junior League of Gwinnette & N. Fulton – November 14, 2009
Boston, MA - Junior League – November 14-15, 2009
Ringwood, NJ – American Diabetes Association – November 14-15, 2009
Fairport, NY – Rochester General Hospital Association – November 14-15, 2009
Staten Island, NY – Snug Harbor Cultural Center – November 14-15, 2009
Orlando, FL – Kids Beating Cancer – November 14–15, 2009
Houston, TX – Hits Theatre – November 14-15, 2009
Austin, TX- Children’s Medical Center Foundation of Central Texas – November 15, 2009
Hampton, NJ – Immaculate Conception School – November 15, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA – Junior League of Pittsburgh – November 20-22, 2009
Joliet, IL – Easter Seals Joliet Region – November 20-22, 2009
Santa Barbara, CA – Junior League of Santa Barbara – November 20-22, 2009
Charlotte, NC – The Assist by Knight Foundation – November 21, 2009
Lancaster, PA – Hands on House (Children’s Museum of Lancaster) – November 21-22, 2009
Litchfield Park, AZ – Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – December 4-6, 2009
Enjoy,
Prince Stephen
www.thequeenstreasures.com
