Day 17: Pristine Pink - 2005 Holiday Barbie

I haven't told you yet but I secretly have an obsession with anything Bob Mackie. There! It's out in the open. The first Mackie doll I had is called "The Sterling Silver Rose". The pictures online don't do her justice. I'll make sure you all see her. :)

So just imagine my excitement when I saw that Bob Mackie designed this years Holiday Barbie.

Oh. my. gosh. I could not be in any more love with this doll than I am now. I love ANYTHING Bob Mackie and this was no exception. Can you believe how gorgeous this dress is?

In the title of this blog I said "pristine" pink. Doesn't the dress give you that impression? It does for me.

Another thing I like about this doll (besides the dress design, the glitter, the everything) is the jewelry. How creative to put green with the pink. It totally fits and looks great! (It looks great because it's a Bob Mackie and anything of his looks great.)

The back of the box pictures the concept drawing of the dress and also says this about this wonderful doll.

"Holiday Barbie doll is becoming a favorite, festive tradition, reflecting all the joy and beauty of the season. And this year's selection is even more special - because, for the first time ever, Bob Mackie works his very special magic on Holiday Barbie doll.

The 2005 Holiday Barbie by Bob Mackie is completely respelendent! As shimmery and sparkly as a frosty winter morning, this doll feature over-the-top glamour, perect for the most lavish holiday gala!

For years, Bob Mackie's designs have graced the most famous stars in the entertainment industry as well as the most glamorous women throughout the world. in 1990, Mackie glamour reached the pinnacle of fantasy when he began designing for the definitive fashion doll - Barbie. 2005 marks Mr. Mackie's first ever Holiday Barbie creation, sure to be treasured for years to come!"

So yes, this has been cherished all these years, and will be for many more.

At the bottom there was a sweepstakes for "Barbie Make Over My Holidays!" The winner got a huge party and a dress inspired by the doll. Why did I not enter this! To own a Bob Mackie dress would be the dream of a lifetime.

What do you think of this doll?

See you tomorrow!

Day 16: Radient Rose - 2004 Holiday Barbie

 I know, it looks magenta or burgundy but they say it's rose so that's her color!

So as I mentioned in yesterdays post, the Winter Fantasy doll was the first and only in the series. So Mattel decided to put out another "Holiday" doll.

I am going to say something so please don't take this the wrong way as I LOVE all my dolls to death and am never ever ever going to give them up. But she is not my absolute favourite for a few reasons.

Here she is, the 2004 Holiday Barbie.

Why am I not that thrilled with her? She is named "Holiday" Barbie. No creativity. The dolls before 2003 were "Happy Holidays" or "Celebration" or even "Holiday Celebration." It makes it seem that someone was a little disgruntled that their idea of the "Winter Fantasy" series didn't fly. As in Fine. You want a holiday doll, you got a holiday doll. But that's just what I think.

Another reason. The dress is very similar to miss 2002 Holiday Celebration Barbie.

She also does not have a sweet Barbie face. And there have been too many burgundy/magenta dresses.

Okay, what is good about this doll? She does have a pretty dress I'll admit. And snowflakes on the bodice. That's a step in the right direction Mattel!

And the snowflakes in the box, very nice! And who can resist that awesome choker necklace!

Woah, hold the phone. No one said that this dress had a small train. My love for this doll just increased. Love it! And you get a nice look at the bolero jacket with bell sleeves. Cute!

The back of the box reads: "Join the tradition! For over a decade, Barbie doll has celebrated each holiday season with a Special Edition doll commemorating the year. In 2004, Holiday Barbie doll joins the proud tradition dressed in rich, rose velvet embellished with glittering sparkles. The year's end bring a beautiful world of shimmering frost and snowflakes. During this glorious holiday season, we receive the best gifts of all: family festivities, friendships renewed, and wonderful memories to last a lifetime. This keepsake is sure to be treasured by you and your family for generations to come."

Okay, I take back what I said at the beginning. You know I never read these little paragraphs on the back of the box until now? Maybe they were trying to take Barbie back to the roots and remind us of how special and wonderful the holidays really are. With the "Join the Tradition" line at the beginning, I'm almost positive that's what they were going for. Bravo.

See you tomorrow!

Day 15: Wonderful White - 2003 Holiday Visions Barbie

I think Mattel was going for a change with this one. I believe it was about this time that the market for dolls was going down and they wanted to put a different spin on the holiday dolls. I introduce to you - Holiday Visions Barbie!

Now you may be asking why I think Mattel was going for a change. Look at the top of the box. It reads "Winter Fantasy, First in a Series." For those of you who have been collecting the holiday dolls in subsequent years, you will know that this was the first and the ONLY in this so called "Winter Fantasy" Series. Not sure why. Maybe people were upset that they changed from the generic "holiday" doll to a "winter" series. Nonetheless, still a gorgeous dress as always.

This box is different as it has a cover on the front of the box. For some reason, the tape was slit. YAY! Deboxed but not deboxed pictures!

I got to touch her hair. Yep, just as I imagined. Hard as a rock. Literally! You cannot move it. This is not the doll for those little girls who want to do Barbie's hair.

This is the second time that Mattel has put out an all white ensemble. The last one was the 1989 Happy Holidays Barbie. She has a much more modern look but no ball gown. I love the floor length coat.

I will say that this is the most elaborate box design yet. Who doesn't love those wintery trees! But this year there is no cute saying on the back of the box. They made it see-thru probably to go along with the "Holiday Visions" theme.

Wait! I stand corrected. There is a saying. I'm not sure if you can see it on the larger pic because the blue on silver is terribly hard to read. I have to pull out the actual doll for this one! It reads: "Introducing Holiday Visions Barbie doll, the first in our newest holiday series. In her Winter Fantasy ensemble, she is as magical as the dawn after a midnight snowfall. Imagine a glistening winter landscape with a sky, brilliant and blue. The sunlight is a gift, transforming snowflakes into gems covering every tree branch and delicate twig. Inspired by such splendor, her gown glistens in white upon gleaming white and shimmer upon shine. The softest velvety skirt gracefully drapers over glitter white mesh. Luxurious faux fur wraps around her shoulders. The tiara atop her cascading curls sparkles as does the silvery belt. She is truly a vision of beauty for the season."

Well, I'll say they outdid themselves with that one! What a lovely write up. 

So let me hear your thoughts. Did you like the change from the traditional "ball gown" or would you have liked to see a more "winter" Holiday Barbie theme?

See you tomorrow!

Day 14: Blissful Burgundy - 2002 Holiday Celebration Barbie

Glitter - glitter all the way!

Who doesn't love a little glitter on a holiday doll? With her burgundy and red dress, she definitely is going to steal the show. I love the jewelery and the vines going up on the bodice.

And the handbag. The perfect addition! Also the bow around her waist that is the tie for the cape. It's perfect.

The back of the box reads: "Barbie makes her 2002 grand entrance dressed in a velvety shade of burgundy. Her golden hair and rooted lashes are framed by a crimson glitter tulle stole. Adorned like the perfect winter rose, she brings the wish of peace, harmony and good will to all!"

Sorry the bottom got cut off.

These celebration dolls are definitely creating that grand entrance for Barbie. And this picture definitely shows how grandiose the dress it. Love it so much!

See you tomorrow!

Day 13: Sensational Stars and Silver - 2001 Holiday Celebration Barbie

So Mattel and Barbie want dresses that capture the holiday spirit of the 21st century. Did they do it? I think so!

Mattel goes above and beyond with this gorgeous silver dress featuring a number of stars. I love evening gowns with stars, not sure why. I guess because the evening is such a magical time where anything can happen under the stars.

The red stole is the perfect accent for this holiday dress.

She again has a crown but to me Barbie is always a princess, crown or not!

The back of the box reads: "Holiday Celebration Barbie doll in her shimmering crystalline gown with sivery tiara and long, delicate tendrils is a beautiful reflection of the holiday season. In her dazzling silhouette, she is the brightest star of all!"

This picture gets me all excited about this doll. Her curls and silvery star-studded sleeves are hidden by the stole. I love it and it makes me want to take her out and display her. Can I have two, one to debox and one to leave in? :)

What do you think of the sleeves? Like or don't like? I like very much.

See you tomorrow!

Day 12: Glorious Gold - 2000 Celebration Barbie

The last Barbie of the Millennium was a princess and the first Barbie of the new millennium is also a princess. She is not titled like that but she is wearing a crown!

Mattel is after my own heart with another dress of gold, glitter, and faux fur. But they added something they have not added before. Snowflakes! How cute are these! This dress is perfect in every way, the snowflakes, the tulle and glitter, everything.

I love open mouthed Barbie smiles the best. She looks so genuinely happy. It's the first year of the New Millennium so she has every right to be happy.

This doll also came with a keepsake ornament proudly stating the year 2000. How cute!

The back of the box reads: "Celebration Barbie is the first in a new series of dolls that symbolize the holiday spirit of the 21st century. She is stunning in a golden and ivory dress that defines a new elegance for the holiday season. Enjoy this special moment with Barbie!"

Wow, look how long her hair is! You can't tell from inside the box! Another reason this doll captures my heart. (Well, they all capture my heart but you know what I mean.)

Continue to join me and we will see how Barbie captures the holiday spirit of the 21st century.

See you tomorrow!

Day 11: Marvelous Millennium - The Millennium Princess

Y2K. Remember when it was a big deal? I recently found a ball pen from PGE (Portland General Electric, the electric company where I lived) and the pen said "OK with Y2K". I wanted our class motto to be "We are Y2K Compliant". It got voted down. I graduated from high school this year and that was exciting enough. But for some reason I was obsessed with anything that said "Year 2000" on it. Candles, napkins, confetti, party hats, party plates. I had a little display in my room of my "Year 2000" stuff. Want to see what was at the center of my display?

She fit the theme quite well.

Here we have another velvet and lace winter dream dress. I think they did perfect with capturing the elegance and excitement that went into the new Millennium.

A crown for a princess.

Mattel brought back the ornament keepsake. There was one with the 1989 and 1990 Happy Holiday dolls. (Can anyone confirm if the 1988 doll had one?)

She is so beautiful. I really don't have any words to describe her. The velvet and silver is just so befitting of a princess.

The back of the box reads: "Barbie looks dazzling as she celebrates the new millennium in grand style! She holds a beautiful keepsake of the year 2000 - - a remembrance of this historic moment in time!"

It really was an awesome moment in time. Remember where you were when the clock hit midnight? I was running up and down the street with noisemakers and Barbie was at the gala dancing the night away.

See you tomorrow!

Day 10: Breathtaking in Black - 1998 Happy Holidays Barbie

I remember when this color scheme was "in". Do you? Everyone had to have everything in black and hot pink. I even had a friend who's wedding colors were black and hot pink. Oh, that was AFTER 1998? Well, Mattel and Barbie were ahead of the times then!

What is more beautiful than this dress? Nothing I say! :) Okay, I love all the dresses but this one is totally new. Black with silver trim and a pink stole? And the hair! Mattel went for their first "up do"

Anyone ever wonder how hard her hair is? Remember back to your prom days where you had "helmet hair" to get the curls to stay in. Her hair is probably twice as hard. So pretty with the little ringlets out the side!

I just can't get over this stole. What a contrast! It's breathtaking!

The back of the box reads: "A velvety silhouette in a crystalline dream, Barbie make the holiday sparkle and gleam."

Gleam? How about "Barbie is as beautiful as a silver moonbeam" HA! They should hire me to create these for the back of the box.

I have a problem with this picture. I like the way the stole is behind her but I like it a little more out front like the way she is boxed. However, when it is behind her, you miss the adorable little tassels at the end.

Friends, this marks the end of an era. The Happy Holidays Barbie dolls were only scheduled to be produced for 10 years. Read this excerpt from "The Fashion Doll Guide".

Happy Holiday Barbie Dolls Dolls were made from 1988 to 1998. The 1988 Happy Holiday Barbie is considered to be the first "Collectible Barbie", although it wasn't originally planned that way. The dolls rapidly sold out and almost immediately began to command big prices on the secondary market. Based on the popularity of that doll, Mattel realized there was a huge market for Barbie Dolls for adult collectors. This was the beginning of the "Barbie craze" that continued to grow, reached an absolute fevered pitch in the late 1990s (thanks to the advent of eBay). Unfortunately for many, the craze has died down since the early 2000s, but there are still many adult Barbie collectors.

This series was one of the most (if not the most) popular of all times. Many began their Barbie collection because of this series and many collected only this line. Many girls received a "Happy Holiday" Barbie each year for Christmas. 

Did you receive a Happy Holiday Barbie each year for Christmas? I did and it was the highlight. And I did start a collection because of this series! It was a tradition!

See you tomorrow!

Day 9: Rippling Ribbons - 1997 Happy Holidays Barbie

Red and silver? Check.
Red and gold? Check.
Poinsettia? Check.
Holly? Check.
Green velvet? Check.
Gold lame? Check.
Faux fur? Check.

What else is left? Ribbons?

Who would have thought that Barbie could be dressed up like a package. But you know, it works! I love it. It's so different and unique.

One thing that is kind of funny is how far apart her hair is spread. Makes me laugh sometimes! Some of you may remember that I have this doll. I found her at the thrift store this summer. Someone took her out of the box and played with her, good for them! I think the way her hair is packaged makes it bigger when you take it out of the box. Because the one I have, she has really fluffy hair.

Not too crazy about the jewelry but it fits the doll. I think that can be considered a little crown on her head.

What else is different? She's a brunette! I believe that this doll did come in blond but it was only available in another country or by special order or something. Can anyone confirm?

But who would have thought to make the ribbons ripple down the side of the skirt. Just sensational!

The back of the box reads: "Wrapped in red ribbons and delicate lace, Barbie is a portrait of holiday grace!"

They are getting more and more poetic by the year. She is much more flattering out of the box, don't you think? If only the one I bought at the thrift store still had the dress!

See you tomorrow!

Day 8: Magnificent Magenta - 1996 Happy Holidays Barbie

Victorian style collar last year, Victorian style dress this year!

Notice anything different about this doll? Yep, she is still perfectly minted in the box. 1996 marks the first year that I left her in the box. However, I want to take her out. I won't for sure but I'll tell you why in a little bit.

Again, fur just screams holiday dress. This one is so very Victorian because of the magenta and gold. Oh, and the style of her overcoat. :)

LOVE the hat! This is the first doll that has featured a hat rather than a hairpiece.

Who loves ruffles? I should see all your hands raised! Just kidding ;) But they add so much to the dress. Again, so Victorian!

I can just imagine her with ice skates, can't you?

Here is the reason I want to take her out of the box. Take a look at the back of the box.

See anything different? Yeah, the cuteness of the muff! Cute Cute Cute! Why did they not put her hands in the muff in the box? How adorable would that have been? Oh well, she is still beautiful and has a killer dress.

The back of the box reads: "Amidst the wonder of shimmering snow, Barbie celebrates the holiday season wrapped like an exquisite gift in burgundy, white and gold!"

Kind of poetic!

See you tomorrow!