When I was 8 years old, my best friend in the world had a Christine American Girl doll that came with tons of extra accessories – including her St. Lucia holiday dress and gown. Also, my friend is Swedish and her family celebrates Saint Lucia Day, and my friend gets to wear her blonde braids, a white dress, and a holly crown with candles every winter solstice. Her mom took pictures of my friend and her matching American Girl doll and they were the perfect vision.
I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve never been more jealous of anything in my life, before or since.
Although my family was never able to afford Kirsten, and I moved away from my friends a few years later, decades later I was able to buy American Girl dolls for both of my daughters. But I’ve never quite gotten over Kirsten in her white gown.
Now she’s back.
For the first time since 1986, Kirsten fans can purchase the classic doll dressed in holiday attire and wreath, along with the original accompanying book, Kirsten’s surprise.
Everything you remember about this doll is back: her two braids tied with red ribbons, her floor-length white dress, and her happy garland with candles in it. It all ends in a really cool red display box with festive details.
Of course, there are several important issues. The doll is a collector’s edition and retails for $260. It’s also limited to just 3,000 dolls. She is currently on pre-sale until November 6th, so you can only purchase it now if you are an AG Rewards Berry member. She will also be available at select American Girl Doll stores.
For those of you who didn’t have Swedish friends growing up, many people in Sweden, Norway, and Finland celebrate St. Lucia Day around the summer solstice in anticipation of the Christmas holiday. In each family, the eldest daughter would dress up as a saint (who was killed by the Romans for his faith) and serve pastries and coffee to the family. There are frequent festivals and parades in the town (led by a girl chosen as Santa Lucia).
Is this the year you buy yourself a doll for Christmas? may be!
