The Baby Girl Gift Dilemma: Keepsake Dolls Vs. Dolls for Play and Fun!

Before hard-core feminists take aim, I'm not suggesting that baby girls should receive dolls as gifts simply because they're girls. In fact, experts in psychology believe little boys should play with dolls, too - even though it typically freaks out mom and dad because...well, you know. But if you look at it as natural role-play in which they copy things they experience in their everyday world where mom and dad demonstrate how to treat others, playing with dolls truly has its advantages for both sexes.

Evidence shows that when children play with dolls (and doll houses and tea sets, etc.,) they learn social skills and how to care for others who need them. Now that we're encouraging males to take a greater role in parenting (and many men are now the primary parent,) it makes sense for boys to build a foundation for affirmative, interpersonal relationships and understand concepts of sound family dynamics - something you're never too young to learn. Dolls make it easy and fun.

Dolls are part of a little girl's comforting circle of friends and relatives, which explains why you'll often see a number of dolls in her bedroom. It makes her feel warm and cozy. That's why dolls are one of the most important baby girl gifts you can give. But do you want to give her the first of a collection of keepsake dolls or get her the dolly that will eventually be dragged around by a leg, the hem of her ragged dress or her hair? Here are some thoughts on both:

The Case for Keepsake Dolls

Individuals collect dolls for a number of reasons. Some take excellent care of their dolls since childhood, love them deeply and decide to make doll collecting a lifelong passion. Others are drawn to the artistry of dolls and doll-making, and some are in it because of the value of dolls and its potential to grow. Beautifully detailed Madame Alexander dolls are extremely popular, and lots of people are collecting American Girl dolls these days. If you begin a particular doll collection for a baby girl, you'll always have the perfect gift for birthdays and holidays. Since most little girls have a number of dolls, it shouldn't be difficult for mom to keep the keepsake dolls still visible, yet safely separated from the everyday dolls. And think of the life lessons taught to a child about delayed gratification and how to protect valuable family and friends from harm, among other things.

The Case for Everyday Dolls

In truth, the case for everyday dolls was made earlier. Both psychologists and educators who study doll play believe dolls are among the most important childhood toys because of their contribution to early socialization. As adults, we have different friends who fulfill different needs, and an assortment of dolls meets a child's different moods and needs. By the time a little girl's dolly is ready for a yard sale or the trash bin, she will have learned a great deal about how the world works and how she'll react to it. By the way, it doesn't hurt to save those played-out dolls instead of throwing them out. As PBS's Antiques Roadshow has shown time and again, those dear, old dollies are often worth more than enough to have earned their keep!

Baby girl gifts