~~MATTEL HOLIDAY VISIONS: WINTER FANTASY BARBIE DOLL~~1ST IN A NEW COLLECTIBLE SERIES (2003)
Written: Oct 08 '03 (Updated Oct 05 '05)
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Pros: Barbie is glamorous & sophisticated in her white and silver Winter Fantasy gown.
Cons: Expensive in price; especially if purchased for pretend play.
The Bottom Line: Start a Barbie collection today with the newest "first in a series" Mattel Holiday Visions: Winter Fantasy Barbie Doll available Fall 2003.
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| melissasrn's Full Review: Mattel Holiday Visions: Winter Fantasy Barbie Doll |
Although my 13 year old daughter has long outgrown her fascination for most Barbie dolls, purchasing the newest "holiday" edition each year as a Christmas gift has become a family tradition around here. While the names have changed (first it was the Holiday Barbie series that was so popular in the 1990's, which then changed to the Celebration Barbie a few years ago), I always look forward to seeing what the newest doll will look like. As a child, I was the typical tomboy and Barbie just wasn't my thing, but for Kelsey, it was a different story. She's spent HOURS every day playing with her Barbie dolls, and she had MANY. So when I saw the new Mattel Holiday Visions: Winter Fantasy Barbie Doll on sale at my local Wal-Mart at the end of September for $36.88 plus sales tax, I grabbed one early as you never know which collectible dolls will sell out fast and which ones hang around on the shelves awhile to have the price slashed later in the season. Read on to find out more about the doll that is the first of yet another new series for young girls, teens, and adults alike to "ooh" and "aah" over.
~~~The Barbie Doll~~~
While the age recommendation on the new Mattel Holiday Visions: Winter Fantasy Barbie Doll is for ages 6 years and older, collectors of all ages are sure to be purchasing this doll very quickly. What you'll find included is the standard size 29 cm (11 1/2") Barbie doll, her beautiful white and silver dress, as well as matching shoes, tiara, and earrings. A doll stand is also included for those who like to display their Barbies outside of the silver, square box. The front panel is clear plastic so that the doll's beautiful details can be easily seen without disturbing her pose, and inside you'll find two beaded silver winter trees posed on each side of Barbie. And the back clear panel is covered with some kind of blue tinted section to give the packaging a more icy and winter time look. According to product advertising promoting her: Introducing Holiday Visions Barbie doll, the first in the newest holiday series. In her Winter Fantasy ensemble, she is as magical as the dawn after a midnight snowfall. With a glistening gown and luxurious faux fur, this collectible doll is truly a vision of beauty for the holiday season. 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 whit and shimmer upon shine. The softest velvety skirt gracefully drapes over glittery white mesh. Luxurious faux fur wraps about her shoulders. The tiara atop her cascading curls sparkles as does the silvery belt. She is truly a vision of beauty for the season. So without a doubt, this Mattel Holiday Visions: Winter Fantasy Barbie Doll is one young girls as well as collectors will surely cherish for years to come.
~~~My Thoughts~~~
The Mattel Holiday Visions: Winter Fantasy Barbie Doll is one of the prettiest dolls I've seen in the Barbie Holiday/Celebration line in a long time. We have all of the Celebration dolls as well as several in the Holiday collection from the 1990's, yet this year's doll is simply breath taking. Her full silver and white dress screams "ice princess", and the loosely fitting silver belt that wraps around her features fake diamonds that give her dress just the perfect accessory it needs. The slim fitting sleeves featuring fur at the wrists are quite stylish while the fur that drapes around from the bodice around the shoulders give Barbie an air of sophistication she easily carries off. Her hair is piled in loose blonde curls on top her her head, with larger straight sections stylishly sleeked back around her ears and long, waist length tendrils draping down one side over her shoulders in front. The silver diamond studded tiara (that matches her belt, by the way) fits strategically inside her pile of loose curls and sets off the entire hair do. Her eyes are exotically made up with dark mascara and lots of purple and gray eye shadow, with blush on her cheeks and a pale pink gloss on her lips. And finally, her silver hoop earrings are a simple yet elegant finishing touch to her entire outfit. We always keep our collectible Barbie's inside the box, so I can only assume her matching shoes are silver in color as well. While it will be several months before Kelsey actually receives her newest doll, I'm already very happy that I purchased the Mattel Holiday Visions: Winter Fantasy Barbie Doll so early, especially since she's the first in a new series.
~~~Price & Availability~~~
As mentioned above in my introduction, I purchased Kelsey's Mattel Holiday Visions: Winter Fantasy Barbie Doll at our local Wal-Mart for $36.88. Pick her up online for the same price at wal-mart.com today before she sells out fast. I've seen her advertised at $39 or more at other stores and online sites, so unless she happens to go on sale right before the holidays, this is the best price I've found so far. Copy and past the following URL into your computer's web browser to order this Mattel Holiday Visions: Winter Fantasy Barbie Doll today.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2287713&cat=4177&type=5&dept=4171&path=0%3A4171%3A4187%3A4177%3A5281
~~~Overall Recommendation~~~
Whether it's for yourself or as a gift to a special young girl or collector, this Mattel Holiday Visions: Winter Fantasy Barbie Doll is definitely worth her weight in silver. Since Kelsey always seems to appreciate the newest edition she receives every year at Christmas even though she outgrew Barbie several years ago, this just goes to show that even though she doesn't PLAY with Barbies anymore, she still enjoys collecting the special edition dolls like this one for 2003. So she always knows at least ONE gift she'll get getting each year! And I must admit that I enjoy purchasing them just as much as I get the chance to really appreciate the beauty and uniqueness each one has to offer long before the gift giving season arrives. But specifically, the newest Mattel Holiday Visions: Winter Fantasy Barbie Doll is one that is sure to be a big hit this upcoming holiday season with her air of cool sophistication and "ice princess" attitude. I highly recommend purchasing her early before she's gone. Good luck and happy toy shopping :-)
***Pick up the matching ornament as well wherever Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments are sold.
For more information, check out the Mattel website online at:
www.mattel.com
Or call toll free:
1-800-524-8697
2003 Mattel, Inc.
Consumer Relations
El Segundo, CA 90245
Made in China
***Check out the following reviews for more dolls in the series:
2004 Holiday Celebration Barbie Doll
2002 Holiday Celebration Barbie Doll
2001 Holiday Celebration Barbie Doll
2000 Holiday Celebration Barbie Doll
***And read about the newest version here:
2005 Collectors Holiday Barbie Doll
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 36.88
Type of Toy: Other
Age Range of Child: Kids to Teens
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