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Beautiful Crissy
by Ideal
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Read memories from others. |
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featuring Beautiful Crissy and Velvet in our new Video section!
More memories from:
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This memory was added on: September 19, 2008
In the early seventies, I think around 1972-3, I begged and reminded my mother that I wanted a Baby Crissy doll for Christmas. And I reminded her enough times that I was sure she fully understood and couldn't make a mistake. I also had a younger sister who was celebrating a birthday on October 29th. As my parents and I sat around opening my sister's presents, they saved one for last: as my sister unravelled the wrapping paper, to my absolute horror - it was a Baby Crissy doll!
I screamed and shrieked loudly in shock: "I wanted a Baby Crissy doll and she gets one for her birthday!!!" I was sure my mother was the evilest creature on the planet, promptly rolled over on the couch and was sobbing heavily for the next 2 hours. My sister even offered to give it to me but I just batted her hand away. Could it be that my Mom favoured her more or was she just deaf somtimes? I went over and over my technique of ensuring that I would indeed get that doll for Christmas. I questioned as to where I had gone wrong. Eventually, I became exhausted and rolled back over to witness my poor sister sitting there pathetically quite sure that I was going to wallop her for receiving MY gift. She let me pull Baby Crissy's long ponytail and hold her: it seemed to settle me down some. Every chance I got to hold Baby Crissy I did, I even told her that she was supposed to be mine. Every time I looked at Baby Crissy I would feel a twinge of anger and horror and then sadness.
To make matters worse, in 1976 I received a large Holly Hobby doll as consolation. Well, I sneered at the stuffed abomination: no long ponytail that grew when pulled, no cute face, no cute outfit. She just didn't cut it in my world. I rolled my eyes and thought my parents will never redeem themselves, they messed up just too badly. Eventually, I left Holly Hobby in the dust and everytime I came across her somewhere in my house I would just think "Can't you just disappear somehow? Sheesh!!!" I threw her out one day and felt justified and satisfied somehow.
As the years went by, I constantly reminded my mother of this catastrophic mix-up and to this day. I plan to get one from Ebay but haven't found one that is in pristine enough condition, who knows maybe one day I will get to open the present that I wanted so bad but never received.
Ninnan
This memory was added on: September 19, 2008
My first memory of the Crissy doll was at a friend's house. Her sister
Lisa owned the doll but let us girls play with her. I also remember
being at Ward's and telling my mom that I wanted the Crissy doll; sadly
I never had a brand new Crissy. A year went by and my grandma found a
Crissy at a church sale and couldn't believe it. She helped me sew
clothes for Crissy and I loved to braid her long ponytail. I loved the
fact that she wasn't a "baby doll" but a cute, hip looking girly-girl.
I still have the doll with her original brown dress that it came in (it
may be homemade) and matching reddish brown boots that cannot be
removed.
Rena
1972
This memory was added on: March 19, 2008
My aunt bought me a Crissy doll for my birthday. She took me to the toy shop and told me to pick my present. I saw Crissy with the aqua dress on top of a shelf and my heart just jumped. I was embarrassed to ask for such an expensive toy but I could not resist. I very timidly picked her. I felt guilty because I thought I was asking for too much. My poor aunt was just a teacher and I knew she did not have much money. My aunt said, “Are you sure you want this doll?”. “Yes”, I said. She said “O.K.” and bought it for me!”. Crissy was not just a doll for me, she was my friend. I liked to sew dresses for her. My grandmother helped me make some home made outfits. I have wonderful memories playing with this doll. Through the years I lost the doll and then my aunt died of cancer.
Thanks to EBay I found Crissy! I bought myself a brand new, mint condition Crissy, with the plastic around her head and pony for my 46th birthday! Seeing this doll again has brought back so many wonderful memories of my beloved aunt who was so nice to buy this doll for me. The doll I bought is an exact replica, except for the knob on the back. Mine was the daisy knob and this one has the simple round knob. But that’s all right. She still has that plastic smell I so remember. The problem I am facing now is should I unwrap the plastic or not. I want to unwrap her so badly. So I have decided for my 47th birthday (or maybe sooner) I am going to unwrap her in honor of my beloved aunt who gave her to me. I am sure my aunt is in heaven and she wants me to unwrap her and enjoy her!
Adela
This memory was added on: January 11, 2008
When I was 6 years old, I wanted Crissy so badly for Christmas. I saw a box under the Christmas tree that was shaped like a Crissy, and got so excited. My mom told me it was time to take a picture with our presents so I picked the box that looked like it had a Crissy in it. When my Mom said it was time to take the picture, I thought it was time to open the present. I ripped open the box and screamed at the top of my lungs, "Crissy". My mom then took the picture and I was the only one with an open present. And I was also the one with the biggest smile.
My mom saved my Crissy doll for me and gave her back to me last summer. I gave her to my 8 year old daughter and she has now become a collector. She buys them on ebay and fixes them up. She now has a Crissy, Velvet, Mia, Kerry, Tressy, Cricket, Brandi and Cinnamon. She is on the hunt for a Dina and a Tara. Wish her luck.
Julie Hellwig
This memory was added on: December 7, 2007
I had the Crissy with the orange dress. I loved fiddling with Crissy's hair, and I loved her dress. I remember Mom
getting me an orange dress when I was little, and I adored it - not only is orange one of my favourite colours, but I thought it was so
great because it matched the dress that my Crissy doll had.
I don't know what ever happened to my beloved orange dress, but I still have the Crissy doll, and she still has her orange dress, along
with all her working locks of hair. Fortunately I never tried cutting her hair, although I'm sure I was tempted to. I gave most of my
old toys away over the years, but there are a couple that I've never been able to bring myself to let go of, and Crissy is one of them.
Thanks for this wonderful site - brings back a lot of fun memories!
Pam
1963
This memory was added on: October 6, 2007
Alex 'Litchko here, Mommy got her Crissy doll in grade 6, hers is an original 1969 Crissy. Daddy brung her from Grandpa and Grandma's
house a few weeks ago. Also, a few days ago, Dad also brought another member of the Crissy family called Velvet. Velvet measures up
to 15" tall. She has the same growing hair feature as Crissy does. Mommy's Velvet doll was complete with her original box and one of
her original shoes. She has misplaced her other shoe like Mommy's Crissy doll does. Also, Daddy brought home a case that says Crumpet
on it. Crumpet is another 18" doll, only Crumpet is made by Kenner, another now defunct toy company. Ideal manufactured Crissy. In
that case that says Crumpet on it, inside it is doll clothes for the Crissy family. I even saw Velvet's original clothes in it.
Alexander
March 20, 1999
This memory was added on: September 25, 2007
I still have my Crissy doll in her satiny turquoise dress. Unfortunately, she no longer has her long red
hair. I trimmed it while practicing to be a beautician (which I never grew up to become)! I loved that
doll! What great memories!
Stephaney
1967
This memory was added on: June 2, 2007
I actually owned a Velvet Doll...I think she was a relative of Crissy's...cousin or sister. She was blonde and I still have a picture somewhere around the house of me brushing her hair. I think I was 12 at the time and I LOVED her! Thanks for the memory :)
Karyl
1960
Mssnos1@aol.com
This memory was added on: May 30,2007
I still have my Crissy doll! (and I am 42 yrsold). She is in mint condition- as I received around my 7th Christmas and was at the age of taking care of things. I also have her original standing carry case. It opens on two sides. One to hold Crissy - wearing her long, tartan-plaid gown and the other side to hold other outfits- which I personally made for her on my own children's sewing machine. I definitley wanted to be Crissy, with those beautiful russet-colored tresses that could go long and short. And she is the only doll I saved from my childhood (not even my Barbies made it). thanks for the memories!
Carol
1965
czellerhenderson@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: May 25,2007
I used to freak out at night because of this doll. I enjoyed playing with her during the day, but at night I slept with a small nite lite and she was pretty scary looking then
cj
1964
This memory was added on: May 23,2007
Oh my!
I remember my sister and I going into my grandmother's guest closet to play with Crissy. We played with her for years...then one day we outgrew dolls. As adults, for fun, we climbed up into the closet but she was gone. Gramma doesn't remember what happened to her...I guess she went to the place where all the toys go when we no longer play with them. --sniff--
Bethey
12-30-70
brikhaus@charter.net
This memory was added on: May 3,2007
Questions for Sylvia 10/11/55
1. Are you related to the real-life Crissy?
2. Do you have a newsletter or website dedicated to the real-life crissy?
3. Did she have a display in her home of the dolls for which she modeled? If so, are there any pictures we could see, please?
3. If available, please post here for all of us to enjoy a list of the dolls and dates for which she posed. This way, we could see what our Crissy doll model looked like through the years.
I imagine I am not the only Crissy doll lover who did not realize Crissy was not just an artist's rendering from their own imagination but a real live person.
Thank you very much for sharing any information you may have concerning the real-life Crissy now that we know she was more than just a plastic doll.
With deep appreciation for your thoughtfulness in telling us about Crissy from real life.
This memory was added on: April 25,2007
I just love my crissy doll. my sister and i had two...great memories...i want one now for me
angie munoz
1963
angierey11@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: April 23,2007
I remember my one and only Crissy doll. It was around 1974 and I was around 12 years old. Of course I thought that I was too old to play with dolls. Nonetheless the doll was given to me as a gift from my oldest brother. This Crissy was special because she was call Turnabout Crissy. She was a model and when you pulled her string on her back from her waist up she would turn from side to side. Her dress was a green print. Her shoes were black with white lace socks which were lost as time went by. Her hair stills grows long and winds up short and she still turns. I have put her away in a trunk for one of my daughters but I think now I'll take her out and place in my antique room at home.
Silvia Adkins
1962
washington_family_historian@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: April 9,2007
My friend had the Crissy doll and I had Velvet. I played with her until the knob broke and her hair wouldn't work.
susan
1963
susan_sugar_and_spice@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: April 8,2007
Wow! I loved my Crissy! I remember taking her and Velvet (purple velvet dress with white sash) to school for Show and Tell. What memories this site brings back. I love it!
Caryn
1964
sccatluvr@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: April 6,2007
I REMEMBER LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY SHE WAS MY FIRST BIG DOLL I WOULD PLAY WITH HER FOR HOURS I WISH EVERY LITTLE GIRL COULD HAVE A Crissy EXSPERIENCE Crissy ROCKS
LISA
This memory was added on: April 3,2007
I got a Crissy for Christmas. I was about 5 years old. My younger sister (4 years old) got a Velvet doll the same year. We loved them. I loved to make her hair long, then short, long, then short. I remember my youngest sister cut her hair. I got rid of her shortly after that. (the doll not my sister, although i was tempted).
Brenda
1967
AndiRikki@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: April 2,2007
Wow, this sight does bring back memories. I had a Orginal Talking Crissy Doll from 1971 and her sister Velvet. She was so beautiful. Had her auburn red hair that grew from long to short. Beautiful dark brown eyes and lashes and this wonderful satin pink dress with these pom, pom ties. Also her orginal shoes. I was going through some of my baby pictures and their she was and I missed her.
Through out the years she either got stolen or sold and I never knew for sure what happen to her sister Velvet either. I really wish I had them both. They were my absoultely favorite treasure. I am in the process of repurchasing a doll similar to Crissy but she doesn't have the orginal dress. I miss that pink satin dress. Does anybody know where I can purchase one or have one made? If so would you please email me at blueangeleyes062566@yahoo.com. Would make a 40 year old mom of 2 adorable girls very happy because then I can share this wonderful doll and memories I had with my children. Thanks!
Jenny
1966
blueangeleyes062566@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: April 1,2007
There is always that ONE special toy that you remember from childhood, and mine was my Crissy doll. In my 30's, I decided that I simply HAD to find an original Crissy doll, but was having a hard time finding one that had the original clothing (underwear and all!) and whose hair hadn't been hacked off. On a Saturday afternoon I decided to stop in at a local flea market, and there was a Crissy doll, thrown in a box, original clothing still on her back, and every hair on her head. I grabbed her up, asked the lady behind the table what she wanted for her and was thrilled to hear, "$10 sound OK?" I got in the car and actually cried. She now sits on a shelf in my office.......a GREAT reminder of my younger years.
Connie
1961
cpaynephoto@earhtlink.net
This memory was added on: March 29,2007
I just found my Crissy doll at my parents house. She is in ok condition, but her clothes are gone. My daughter likes to play with her though.
G
1967
This memory was added on: March 25,2007
WHEN I WAS LITTLE , I HAD SOME OF CRISSY AND HER FAMILY. AND SO DID MY SISTER. I WAS BORN IN 1961. I JUST LOVED THEM. RIGHT NOW, IM TRYING TO BUY SOME OF THEM. I HAVE ONE, RIGHT NOW. AND TWO ON THERE WAY. AND I CANT WAIT TO GET THEM. AFTER LOOKING ON LINE, THE MEMORYS COME BACK. WANDA 45 YEARS OLD
WANDA PARKER
1961
wanda4852@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: March 23,2007
When I was about 7 I wanted Crissy so badly for Christmas. Unfortunately, I didn’t get her. The next year for Christmas my sister got her, I was very upset with Santa Claus. The following year I did get Kerry for Christmas—she wasn’t Crissy, but I loved her nonetheless. I still have her. I’ve moved her from place to place for over 30 years. She’s wearing a dress my mother made her, she’s barefoot, her hair is a mess, and she has “glaucoma”—white eye mold. About a week ago I put her in the Goodwill bag and this morning my granddaughter who is 9 found her and thinks she is “so pretty”. She’s quite impressed that her hair grows and can be shortened. Needless to say, Kerry is not in the Goodwill bag anymore. I found a lot of info on restoring Crissy family dolls at www.crissyandbeth.com. Easy to guess what I’ll be doing this weekend.
Cyndee
1961
This memory was added on: March 17,2007
Hello, I love reading all the memories. December 1970, I received Crissy in the orange lace dress and my sister received Velvet purple dress, we loved our dolls, Jan. 1971 just three weeks after christmas we lost everything in a fire. I was 10 and remember finding my crissy all melted. Well for my sister 40th birthday I bought her a velvet, oringinal clothing and box. I also bought myself a Crissy...well that really started something, I now have over 50 Crissy family dolls, MIP clothing, totes and custom reroots. I am on the hunt for an AA Tressy. Wish me luck. Cathy
Cathy Ellsworth
1962
jeffreye@telus.net
This memory was added on: March 14,2007
Hey lisa, have you sold your dolls as of yet?? I sent you an email and never heard back from you. Just curious I would love one for my grandbaby Trinity. Thanks ,Bridget
Bridget
1962
AbuelaB1@aol.com
This memory was added on: March 14,2007
Does anyone out there remember Dawn Dolls. They were little tiny things. Prolly about 3 inches tall. Just wondering!
Bridget
1962
AbuelaB1@aol.com
This memory was added on: March 14,2007
I still have my Crissy doll. I got her for Christmas back in the 70's, ripped her hair all the way out, other than that she still is in pretty good condition. lol
Dana
1967
This memory was added on: March 8,2007
I had the baby Crissy doll, which was the size of a 9 month old. My mom got me Crissy because the other doll I had was too small and thought Crissy would be better. I played with Crissy but she was big and not soft. I liked to brush her hair. Of course, I still played with my other doll, whose name was Betsy and she talked with a pull of a string. My mom used to say I talked to her like she was my sister. I still have Betsy on my desk and see her every night. Unfortunately, I don't have Crissy. I think my mom gave her away.
Lisa
1968
asilliag@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: March 2,2007
When I was about 6 or 7, our friend Lisa got a Velvet doll for her birthday, and my sister and I were very jealous. I'm not sure when we got our dolls, but eventually I got Mia and my sister got Kerry. At some point, I ended up with a Crissy doll that I bought with money I had received for Christmas. She had a string that you pulled to make her turn. I still have my dolls now, and even better, I have the clothes that my mom made for them.
Patty
1963
nahnahnah@aol.com
This memory was added on: March 2,2007
I love this site! I was allowed a Crissy doll as mum would not let me have a Barbie,(she thought boobs were vulgar) many special moments spent with my friends in the same street (girls!)brushing chrissys hair and dressing her.
Wendy Humphreys
1961
wendy_humphreys@hotmail.com.au
This memory was added on: February 20,2007
The real life crissy was born on June 20, 1952 in White Plains, NY; the image of crissy that was made by Ideal was what crissy looked like in 1965 when she was 13 years of age; the doll was issued when she was 17; crissy had a long history of having her image on other dolls dating back to 1959 made by Ideal, Horsman and American Character; crissy was a home economics major in college and was a mother of 2 children, presently 26 and 34 years of age
Sylvia
10/11/55
Mli64@aol.com
This memory was added on: February 16,2007
Oh WOW, I loved my Crissy doll! I had forgotten about her until I was told about this site and saw her. How awesome would i tbe if we really could pull our hair out of the top of our head to change lengths!!
Dawn
1958
dbeirnes@comcast.net
This memory was added on: February 14,2007
Awesome website! I had the Crissy in the yellow box with the picture of the red hair on the front. She has on a long yellow dress that came on her. The dress is pretty shabby cuz I played with her all the time! I'm 46 and still have her........ but come to think of it..... I'm not sure where she is since I've moved. I will definitely be finding her when I get home! Eliz Caruthersville, MO
Eliz
1960
Emize@ctcis.net
This memory was added on: February 11,2007
I had the Beautiful Crissy w/ Beautiful hair that "grows".... I played with this one a LOT.. always cranking the knob on here back to make the hair retract back into the unnatural hole in the top of her head....it was pretty cool... I also had a Baby magic, whos eyes would close with a magnet you held in your hand and waved your hand over her eyes... remember that?? Well I dont know what happened to Poor Crissy.. however I do remember thinking that giving her a few Hairstyles would be fun.. I think I cut off most of the Long red mane.... ( Pretty cut N grow didnt show up till I was too OLD to play with it... oh well)
Mary
1959
mary921@gmail.com
This memory was added on: February 2,2007
I never owned Crissy or Velvet as a child because my mother couldn't afford them. I wanted them very much. But I had two friends, one had Crissy and the other had Velvet, and I would love playing with their dolls when I would visit them. So when I was in my thirties, I made a point of obtaining the dolls myself (in original outfits) from a doll collectors fair! I did the same thing regarding Giggles. All are in great original condition! I was so pleased.
Paula
1963
anneke363@yahoo.com.au
This memory was added on: January 31,2007
Okay, I'm probably the youngest person on here, but oh well... About 10 years ago, my cousin (a doll collector at the time) had two Velvet dolls and gave me one. She is not in the purple outfit, but she is a growing hair doll and is wearing an original Velvet outfit. Recently, I've seen a few Crissy's at the antique store and my mind has been on starting a Crissy collection. Wouldn't you know, my local thrift store had a Baby Crissy for sale yesterday when I was in there? It's a sign!
Crystal H
1983
Crystal.Higuera@Asu.edu
This memory was added on: January 26,2007
I hope Karen 1961, who posted on September 4,2003 reads this!!! My best friend and I got the same doll for Christmas every year, including the year we got Crissy. Mine had the orange dress, and Karen's had the aqua. Both our mom's bought patterns. I remember my friend, Karen having a bag of outfits made by her mom. Karen, if you happen to read this, and your mom taught at our elementary school, email the name of the school and the grade she taught to me at dfw_flautist@yahoo.com We lived in Euless, Texas.
Terri
1961
dfw_flautist@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: January 25,2007
My favorite Christmas gift ever was Velvet. She was the most beautiful doll and I spent hours styling her hair with my mom's pink plastic curlers . To this day, nothing beats the great purple dress that she wore.
I have a 6 year old daughter and would love to see Velvet re-introduced!
Susan
1962
fishstan1@aol.com
This memory was added on: January 18,2007
The 1970 Velvet in the purple dress was the best Ideal doll EVER. I just had to say that.
jb
1967
This memory was added on: January 11,2007
I've written several times about my memories of Crissy. One day 3 weeks before Christmas, my Mom gave me Velvet. I was in heaven with this doll. What just came to mind was her 1st birthday. I baked her a cake and my brothers and I sang Happy Birthday to her. She's now 33 years old and she looks played with since I played with her a whole lot. I lost her shoes and I don't know how. I bought her new ones on e-bay. I also bought 2 Baby Crissy's and 2 other Velvets. I have them on a shelf along with other 70's things. When I see my Velvet, I go back when I played with her soooo much. One day I droped her and I was so afraid that she would do something to me, so I tied her up one night. I laugh about it now. Dolls now a days aren't as pretty as back then and who ever said that you missed on that era...........you're right!!!
Lidia
1963
This memory was added on: January 10,2007
I didn't have a Crissy doll, I had her cousin Velvet the blonde in the purple velvet outfit. I spent many of hours playing with that doll's hair until one day I put my big sisters electric curlers in her hair and that was the end of that.
Kelly
1961
KLWASTRO@aol.com
This memory was added on: January 7,2007
My dad ALSO said "Dolls are for girls, forget about it". Well, thanks to ebay, I've now got a few Crissy dolls. I may send dad a picture of my collection one of these days. NEENERS TO YOU, "DAD"!!!!! Maybe I'll also send a pic of me with playing with my girls to dad's gun club.... Okay, so I'm lying about the gun club, but if he did belong to one I'd send it.
joe
12/24/1967
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