My Collecting Goals: Reflecting on 2025

Hey guys! I want to say I can't believe it's the end of the year, but oh my goodness. 2025 was a roller coaster for me. I've grown so much as a person, and where I am now would have been incomprehensible to me 12 months ago. I'm so grateful for all the opportunities I've had for growth this year, and I look forward to 2026. 

But let's not forget that, at the beginning of 2025, I set some AG collecting-related goals. It's finally time to reflect and see how well I accomplished them! So much has changed for me, so I'll be surprised if I ended up following the outline of a path I lined for myself at the beginning of the year. 😅

Let's get into it!

No more than 2 new American Girl dolls in my collection (Ideally 0)

Ahhh I did it! I got Delmar and Georgie this year. Neither of them were really planned, but it was so fun to end up with both of them.

In addition, I can only buy secondhand dolls from Flea Markets or Facebook Marketplace

I nailed this. I'm so freakin proud. I went through a phase where I was trying to find a Gwen online, but I held on to restraint. Delmar was new from AG, but Georgie came from my favorite local thrift store, and that was an awesome find. She was $6, and I went on to find literal My Life Dolls for more than that ("more than that" being like $7 lol) several months later. 

Make sure I have 1 outfit from each Historical character's collection (that's not a meet outfit or PJs)

I got so insanely close! I got Rebecca's School Outfit, which is one of my favorites from her collection, so now only Caroline needs something to wear. In my 6 month progress check, I mentioned that I almost bought Rebecca's School Outfit at a flea market, but it was just the dress, so I'm really happy to have ended up finding a more complete one. It's so cute. I also got a grail (Kit's overalls) from that lot, so that was a highlight.

 Prioritize Kirsten's Collection

I definitely had a slower summer in terms of AG shopping. I spent my money on a lot of different things this year. :) However! I got her birthday outfit for Christmas, so I think that's close enough!

Get all of Molly's outfits

I made zero progress on this one. Honestly... I don't mind. It's still a dream to have all of Molly's outfits, but it's definitely something that will take time. 

Send Kailey to the Doll Hospital

Whoops, this one got away from me. I had planned to send Kailey to the Doll Care Center over the summer with money that I saved. I honestly don't know what I ended up spending my money on... It feels like a blur to me. Anyway. Maybe next year?

Bond with dolls! 

I spent so much of 2025 working on things outside of dolls. I'm really glad I did, but I made myself question if I wasn't spending enough time with my AG dolls. However, I did a lot of work on little aspects of some of my lesser-used dolls' personalities and backstories, and I'm excited to bring that into my work in 2026. I totally think that counts as "bonding."

Take photos of all of my dolls

Colossal fail, but I knew it was ambitious when I wrote it down. I did get some pictures with dolls I haven't used much in the past, though, so that was a step in the right direction. 

Organize my doll stuff

I did it!!! I'm so proud of myself! Organizing my doll stuff was something I had put off for years, but this summer, I got my doll room and now everything is in the right place!

Sew some cute doll clothes

This is always one that I'm going to feel like I could do more for, but I definitely made some cool stuff. I originally set this goal with the hopes it would help me use up some fabric, and then I ended up donating a lot of the fabric I didn't like as much... then I thrifted a ton more, but that's how it goes, isn't it? I'm happy with what I've got in my fabric stash right now, and it's making me want to sew more!

Buy a 1960s Ponytail Barbie

I made this goal, then this rumor started going around online about a Monster High and Barbie Collab, like the AG and Barbie Collab doll a few years ago. So I decided to save for that instead. 😊 I ended up getting her for Christmas, though. 

And I actually did pretty well! It's crazy to reflect on my goals after the trajectory of my year was pulled in so many different directions. That's all I have for today. Merry Christmas to my readers who celebrate; have a great week and remember to eat your veggies! Bye! <3