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Shop Mattel’s Stylish, Holiday-Themed Barbies Before They Sell Out
Ah, Mattel‘s annual Holiday Barbie release. Since 1988, it’s been a tradition as symbolic of Christmastime as caroling or egg nog–drinking, though last year the famed toy company was faced with backlash over the limited-edition Barbie’s final look that — how should we put it? — left a lot to be desired.
Dressed in a silver-and-gold, damask-printed gown boasting a tulle trim at the top, she proceeded to be compared with everything from the curtains in your grandmother’s house to a tree skirt. And while Holiday Barbies of yore managed to fetch three-figure prices on the resale market, it’s safe to say this one’s post-launch reception didn’t cause nearly as much frenzy.
In 2026, Mattel is doubling down and averting any PR blunders with a Holiday Barbie collection that, by all accounts, looks genuinely gorgeous. The collectible comes in multiple skin tones and hair colors, representative of the brand’s commitment to championing diversity. She’s also joined by a range of boyfriends, with shoppers being able to pick one with traditionally light or dark features.
