People collect Holiday Barbies more than any other type of doll. Their dazzling dresses, fancy hairdos, and themed boxes make them a Barbie lover’s dream. But, how much are holiday Barbies worth? Learn about the value of everyone’s favorite festive doll.
Holiday Barbies Worth Big Bucks
The most valuable holiday Barbies are from the years 1988-1992. Dolls that are MIB (mint in box) from those years sell for between $40-$200. A set of NRFB (never removed from box) dolls from 1988 to 1998 can sell for around $1,000.
Holiday Barbies ranging from 1995 to today are not worth as much money as older editions. There are some exceptions, however—like rare colors. 2004 was the first year that two holiday Barbies were produced, one with a green dress and the other with a burgundy dress. The green dress edition is common and only worth around $30, but the burgundy edition Barbie is worth upwards of $175 because of its rare color. This is also the case for the green 2005 holiday Barbie.
How To Sell a Holiday Barbie Doll
Selling a holidays barbie isn’t all that difficult. We mentioned the terms MIB and NRFB. For both conditions, the doll and the box should be “like new,” meaning never opened. All accessories and special ornaments are included and accurately placed on the doll and in the box. A MIB doll can’t show signs of being open or damaged in any way, like tape cuts. An NRFB Barbie, however, can show signs of some slight wear. You’ll want to know these terms when talking to a potential buyer. Read below for a quick guide to the lingo of the collectors:
- Mint In Box (MIB)= The plastic is clear, there are no tears to the box. It is essentially in the perfect condition.
- Never Removed From Box (NRFB)= The Barbie is still inside the box, but the box isn’t perfect. You have never taken the barbie out of the box. If there is yellowing to the plastic or some fraying, it’s probably in the NRFB condition.
- Damaged Box= There is significant damage to the box but the Barbie has still never been removed and attached inside. The damage might be anything from a slight tear to a completely crushed box.
- Removed from Box= This Barbie is removed from her box but doesn’t have all her accessories and may need some TLC. This is usually the case if the barbie was ever used as a toy.
SELLER TIP: To find out just how much your exact barbie is worth, contact your local antique shops or get in touch with a doll appraiser. They'll have the most up-to-date information about the current state of the doll selling market.
How To Keep Your Dolls In Mint Condition
So, you know that you’ll get the most value for your barbie if you sell them MIB or NRFB. But how do you keep a MIB item in tip-top condition? There are so many things that can potentially cause your barbie to decrease in value. One of those things is unforeseen damage. If you have pets, grandchildren, or even if you live in an extra hot state, your Barbie’s box could be subjected to accidental damage. Barbie collectors and sellers alike use storage units to make sure their dolls stay in mint condition.
That’s where we come in! We’reSecurCare Self Storage,the storage experts! We have storage units that are safe for all your collectibles and whatever else you may need to store. Our units are clean and secure, too, with on-site managers and 24/7 security cameras. If you have questions about keeping your dolls in MIB, you can chat with a friendly manager online anytime.
What Are the Ultra Rare Barbies Worth?
As we said above, rarer holiday barbies are worth a bit more than common holiday barbies. The most valuable holiday Barbies are from the years 1988-1992. Dolls that are MIB (mint in box) from those years sell for between $40-$200. There are a few exceptions to that rule, and that is if you have an ultra-rare holiday barbie.
#1 Expensive Holiday Barbie: 1994 Brunette Verison
Holiday Barbie Value: $800-$1200
This brunette beauty is not only one of the most expensive holiday barbies, but she’s also one of the most valued barbies overall. Its price is due to the fact that only 540 of the brown-haired model exist. If it’s MIB, you can get anywhere from $800-$1200 for this specific barbie. Even if you’re selling it used, you can make a small fortune. Don’t confuse this model with the 1994 blonde version, as that is only going for about $40 – $75.
#2 Expensive Holiday Barbie: 1988 Barbie in Red Dress
Holiday Barbie Value: $200-$300
The 1988 Holiday Barbiedoll is the first doll in the entire holiday barbie series. It’s actually considered to be the first “Collectible Barbie.” When this doll hit the market, it sold out almost immediately and began a re-selling boom in the barbie market. That’s when Mattel, the makers of barbie knew they had to make a holiday barbie for every year. You’ll find this doll dressed in a bright red tulle gown with big blonde hair. You can find this doll for sale on Etsy anywhere from $200 – $300.
#3 Expensive Holiday Barbie: 1989 Barbie in Fur Dress
Holiday Barbie Value: $150-$250
The 1989 Holiday Barbie is the second one in this collection. Therefore, it was in high demand due to the success of the 1988 model. It is in an all-white gown with a hugewhite tulle skirt. The dress is trimmed in white fur and has a fur stole. It also has a snowflake hair tie and a matching necklace. A quick search on eBay reveals that this particular barbie is going for $150 – $250.
The Year Your Doll Was Made Determines It’s Value
There are some wildly different estimates about how much Holiday Barbies are worth across the internet. Therefore, it’s hard to pinpoint just how much a specific model is worth. However, it’s safe to say that older dolls are worth a little bit more (unless of course they’re limited edition versions). We did a quick google search and found price ranges for all the major holiday barbies that we haven’t mentioned yet. Look for your year below for rough estimates of what you might spend (or make) on a more common Holiday Barbie.
| Holiday Barbie Years | Holiday Barbie Value Range |
|---|---|
| 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2004 (Burgundy Dress), 2005 (Green Dress) | $100 – $200 |
| 2003, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 | $70- $100 |
| 1994 (Blonde), 1995, 1996, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 | $30 – $60 |
If you don’t see your doll’s year on this pricing guide, try a quick internet search to find out your value. However, we highly recommended reviewing a few pricing guides. Take an average of the values and you’ll have an accurate idea of the doll’s actual value. All in all, the most efficient way to know the value of your doll is to get it appraised.
2020 Holiday Barbies & 2021 Holiday Barbies
The most recent holiday barbies are still for sale on websites like Walmart or Amazon. The 2020 holiday barbies feature a gown with a golden bodice and ruffled sleeves. It also includes a tulle skirt with a snowflake print. They go for $40 – $55 in MIB condition.
Mattel released the 2021 Holiday Barbie earlier in 2021. Thankfully, it is in stock in all stores that carry barbies. The Holiday Barbie for 2021 shines in a silver gown with off-the-shoulder ruched sleeves and a metallic bodice with sculpted “gemstones.” It has a full skirt with a tulle peplum. You can order this doll onAmazonfor $40.
Final Thoughts on Holiday Barbie Values
As you can see, the worth of Holiday Barbies depends on their year and condition and the year they were made. Your local antique shop may have a different price range than online stores like Ebay or Etsy, so we suggest starting there to get the biggest bang for your buck. All in all, these classic dolls make a fun collectible for adults and younger Barbie fanatics alike. Let us know in the comments below if you’ve ever sold a holiday barbie or if you collect them!
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This post was originally published on October 1, 2020. It was updated on October 21, 2021.
