Santa’s Babies

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“I think the breathing babies are going to be pretty hot.” — Shirley Grisham, Yesterday’s and Today’s Dolls

Dolls aren’t on most Top-10 Holiday Toys lists, though a few, such as Playmates Toys Inc.’s Amazing Amanda interactive toy, are breaking through. But in specialty stores, tradition sells for the holidays, retailers agreed … and what could be more traditional than dolls? TDmonthly Magazine surveyed 30 retailers, who predicted that The Lee Middleton Original Doll Company and Adora Inc. baby dolls would make their holiday spirits bright.

Fourteen retailers expected that babies from Lee Middleton would be their holiday winner.

“I think the breathing babies are going to be pretty hot,” said Shirley Grisham of Yesterday’s and Today’s Dolls in Corinth, Miss.

“The Newborn Nursery dolls will be our best selling,” said Debbie Hough of Hartville Collectibles in Hartville, Ohio.

“There are a lot of exciting things going on,” stated Mark Putinski, vice president of marketing for Lee Middleton. “We have two Christmas dolls dressed like elves. We also introduced another new series of dolls: Silk and Splendor. Every doll has an outfit made of silk.”

“We’ve run out of product,” said Beau James, North American director of Corolle Dolls (ToyShow). “I think it’s the brand recognition and the quality of the doll.”

“Corolle dolls will do well. They’re a basic,” agreed Steve Reis, owner of Fantastic Kids in Halesite, N.Y. Nine other retailers stated that Corolle would be their best-selling baby doll brand.

The dolls that James predicted would do best for Corolle were Lila, launched in 2004, and an interactive boy doll named Jules. “It laughs, cries, giggles and burps,” said James. He also predicted good sales for the Special Feature Tidoo Shower Set, new for 2005.

Retailers are banking on Groovy Girls to come through again this holiday season. Eight anticipated they’d be stellar.

“They’re still very, very popular,” said Jonathan Berman, owner of the Village Toy Shop in Castro Valley, Calif.

“The fantasy-type Groovy Girls are doing really well,” said Sonya Kalajian, owner of the Toy Shop in Westford, Conn.

Advance sales on Groovy Girls for Christmas have been “very good,” according to Nancy Severson of Manhattan Toy Company (ToyShow). The limited edition Chrissy 2005 Christmas doll has generated good advance sales, she said.

“I think our Adoras will still be the best sellers for Christmas,” predicted Roland Ficke of Porcellana in Hamilton, Ind. He carries the Name Your Own Baby line and plans to get the newest Cradle Babies, but may have to wait:

“[Cradle Babies] did so well, we sold them out before we anticipated and won't have any until next year,” commented Thomas Ames, vice president of sales and marketing for Adora Inc. They’re adding four more dolls and clothing to the line.

Five retailers said that Dolls by Berenguer babies will be great holiday sellers. Gigi Williams, co-owner of Gigi’s Dolls and Sherri’s Bears in Chicago anticipated heavenly sales for the Angel Soft line.

Four retailers were looking forward to increased Madame Alexander baby sales and seven anticipated that the 8” collectible dolls would spike.

“Madame Alexander is always the best collectible for girls and adults,” said Daniel Janoska, manager of Talbot’s Toy Land in San Mateo, Calif. “It’s a tradition for a lot of people to give them at Christmas,” added Berman.

The following are the dolls that retailers and manufacturers think will do best this holiday season, along with a few others named as good sellers by retailers surveyed: