Customer Reviews

Holiday 2004 Barbie - Green Velvet Dress

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I was SO disappointed when I got to see this doll in person! I have been collecting Barbies for a long time and my absolute favorites have always been the holiday dolls. I love this doll's dress, the beaded details are lovely. However, the new oversized head really bothers me! I am not a Bratz/My Scene/etc fan, so when I see "my Barbies" being changed in this fashion, I am just disgusted. Her head just looks odd being too large, it cheapens her appearance, plus the facepaint is NOT up to standard for a doll in the $30-$40 price range, it is more like one of the $5 playline dolls. I will NOT be buying this doll...

I always buy the holiday Barbie dolls. I will not be buying this one. The head on this doll is too big. I don't like the big head trend. Aren't the My Scene dolls enough? Now Mattle has to put a big head their holiday Barbie?

I like the gown on the doll but I can't get past the big head. It ruins the overall look.

I realize that Barbie needs to be updated over time, but she should retain the same basic proportions. Barbie dolls come in different body styles these days. It's hard to find clothing that will fit all the dolls.

The Sweetsville Kelly dolls with the large heads (often called "lemonheads" by collectors) seem to have been a huge failure. Didn't Mattel learn from that? The big heads are unnecessary and do not make Barbie look better.

[Written by my wife. :-) ]

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Stars
Fun for a child = 5
Educational = 2
Durable = 3
Overall = 2
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Most children will love this doll. They will love her dress, the elegant style of her hair, her jewelry, and the way the gown flows as she "walks."

I am a collector however, and I, like most of the other reviewers, wonder who came up with the "big head" for Barbie idea. It reminds me of several other design, recipe changes, or campaign flaws that nearly (or did) put other companies out of business -- but this faux pas will not cripple Mattel, and Barbie will continue to be the doll of choice for many generations to come.

I believe the concept was to create Barbie to be more proportionally correct. When I looked through all of the boxes trying to find one that I liked, I discovered they all had very strange eyes. I was not sure what caused it, but the more I studied the array spread out before me, the more I realized her head was big -- too big. Was she trying to generate a new sensation? I don't know -- I simply do not like this style.

Without a doubt, the gown (either in special issue maroon or original green) is gorgeous, but her eyes appear to be painted by an amateur. Since I've attempted to repaint dolls, I know just how difficult it is to get the eyes right -- but why should a doll manufacturer have the same kind of problems that I, completely inept at the art, have?

However, there is no need to worry about Barbie's future. Mattel's gorgeous dolls continue in their 2004 and 2005 lines, and these will be the treat that each Barbie lover has come to depend upon.

Victoria Tarrani

I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE COMING UP WITH THE BIG HEAD IDEA...BUT THE DOLL DOES HAVE A SLIGHTLY BIGGER BODY THAN MY OTHER BARBIES. I DID HOWEVER GET THE MEASURING TAPE OUT AND MEASURE HER HEAD COMPARED TO MY OTHER DOLLS HEAD. THERE IS A 1/16" OF A DIFFERENCE. NOTHING TO GET WORRIED ABOUT, BUT I GUESS IF YOU ARE PICKY ABOUT WHAT YOU COLLECT THEN THIS DOLL ISN'T FOR YOU. IF YOU COLLECT THEM JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT TO, THEN GET HER.

I was so hoping that this Holiday Barbie would be better than the 2003 doll, but alas, it was not to be! I did not purchase the 2003 doll because her narrow, elongated eyes were just downright scary! This was the first time that I had not bought the Holiday doll since 1988.

When I saw the 2004 doll in the store, I knew that I would not be purchasing her either! Her head is too big and her face looks like a hooker's. I did give her one star for the gown. I would buy the gown if I could get it without the doll, which ruins the overall effect. She looks like one of those $5 Barbie lookalikes that are sold in convenience stores.

I know that these big headed dolls are popular with the kids, but I hope that Mattel will consider the likes of collectors as well. After the outstanding Holiday Barbie of 2002, these last two years have been a big letdown!

Note: I have not seen the African American version in person. I am wondering if this doll looks better?

I did NOT buy this doll. I saw her in a toy store and i was SO disappointed with the way she looked. Her face paint was that of a ten dollar doll with nothing out of the ordinary like the regular holiday dolls. The dress was nice but not up to collector status. Sorry. Besides her obvious huge head her eyes are big and bugged. Come on Mattel. You could of did better than this?

I collect the Holiday Barbie's and that is the only reason I would buy this one I personally don't like her new look......

I am rather surprised this doll received quite a few negative reviews. At first I was skeptical of buying this doll but at only $20.00 plus $5.00 to ship, it was worth the risk. I am glad I took this risk. I disagree with the review about her head being too big. Her head is not at all like a Bratz doll. I think she is lovely and a nice addition to my collection. Box and doll in mint condition. Thanks.

This doll is one of a kind. There is a hidden panel in the back of the box. When opened the panel has photos of every Holiday Barbie Produced previous to this doll. Its a great, unique feature!

I agree with the many opinions of others - that Mattel is making a big mistake with the large size of Barbie's new head. It looks ridiculous. The eyes do not have an upper lid ridge to make them look more realistic. They now look like decals. Also there are too many painted lashes. Now the eyes look like spider decals. Too much color used in the face painting give her a clown-like quality. The last nice head sculpt was the 1977 superstar head mold. The face look more realistic.