Asking for a doll as a gift: okay or rude?

It depends on the expense I think. Maybe it's ok to ask someone for a smaller less expensive doll. I would never ask for a $800 dollar doll as a gift! lol

 

I've never really had anyone in my life other than my mother, so I don't know how it feels to ask another relative for something expensive. I always tell my aunts to buy me something inexpensive for the holidays. But with my mom, I would have no problem saying, "I want -insert bjd- for Christmas." As long as it was relatively inexpensive, like a Resinsoul. But if my mom suddenly got like 40,000 dollars, I wouldn't feel bad asking for a bjd at all. lol xD

 

I agree with most of the people that say it depends on the relationship you have with the person you're asking.

Personally, I could never ask my family to buy me a doll. Besides the fact that I would feel insanely guilty asking for something that expensive, my parents aren't keen that I have them in the first place, and my sisters think it's weird.

If asked about a gift I'd like, I usually opt for money, to spend on items that I want. It's just easier all around, especially since I'm living overseas. My sisters are fairly good about it, but my mother is fickle, and can get upset if I mention it's for a doll. The upset usually results in me receiving something else entirely, and more often than not it's an item I can't or won't enjoy (and usually can't return). Then I feel bad because I really rather she didn't waste her money in the first place. :/

Whenever I go to purchase a doll, I talk to my husband about it, simply because it's such a large purchase. I hope that someday in the future he'll offer to buy me a doll, or that I'll feel comfortable asking him for one as a gift. Right now he has zero interest in the hobby, and doesn't like purchasing dollie items because he claims it's too complicated.

 

I think it depends on whether the person can afford it and how insistent you are that you want it as a gift.
It's up to them whether or not they think it is a reasonable amount of money to spend on a gift. If you mention that it is very expensive and it's their choice whether or not to get it, and you understand it's a lot of money, and perhaps give some other ideas of cheaper gifts... I see no problem with it It can't be rude to ask politely.

 

le sigh, it's probably not a good idea, non collectors just don't get it. my husband asked what i wanted for christmas, i've been collecting dolls for many years and currently i'm interested in bjds. i showed him pictures, i put sites on his favorite list, i told him these were the ones i liked. he bought me a japanese doll...... one of the antique types that are basically stiffened silk, posed more like a statue, no movement at all, nice kimono though. i didn't have one of those, basically because i've never really liked them..... can't tell him that though. it got even weirder. he bought the doll off ebay (not a problem) from a lady that was selling her late mothers things (not a problem) but she included a pair of her mother's shoes.....

 

It really depends on who you ask and how they feel about dolls. :3
Its a wonder feeling to get one as a gift! I'm in a family that really loves my hobby and my boyfriend adores my dolls (I'll be getting ready for bed and I'll ask him to put whichever one I have out away, and he does, but he also poses them in thier beds x3 and apologises to them, not me, if he bonks their heads)
I thought it would be rude, so I never brought it up, and then I got surprised when my boyfriend told me he was gonna buy me a rs song (They were sold out at junky when he was gonna place the order, so I found and got lucas instead, and I love him much more.) :3 If they like your hobby as much as you do, its the same as getting some other hobby item as a gift to me x3. If you had asked for a Video game system for christmas, it would be about the same price! Just compare it to another hobby
I know I'm getting one for christmas this year, though which one is a total mystery to me x3 I wonder if my parents are going to ask me if I want doll stuff for xmas this year too, since thats all I've been doing xD

 

I don't think it's rude to like put it on a birthday list or something but to directly ask someone.. well it might be a little rude. Personally I would feel pretty guilty for letting someone spend that large of an amount of money on me. Although it would kind of depend on how they feel about the dolls and how much money that particular person has.

 

This is a good question to put out there, I've been thinking about it myself. My boyfriend and I aren't exactly short on cash right now, but I just bought a doll and now I'm seeing another one that I absolutely love. I'm kind of hoping that my enthusiasm over it will imply that I really want it. But coming right out and asking is something I don't think I feel comfortable with. Maybe if it's closer to my birthday and I know he's looking for ideas, I'll bring it up seriously. Aside from those times, I don't think I'd ever ask someone to buy me a doll.

I do think, however, that when someone receives a large sum of money like that, it isn't really inappropriate since part of most people's celebration in winning money is buying gifts for those they care about. I would do it if I'd won the lottery, for example. I'd certainly offer to buy my dear cousin a doll if I were suddenly in possession of thousands of dollars.

I agree most with it depending on the person and the relationship - I myself enjoy buying people things, but in the case of a doll, I'd probably only buy it for someone really important and it would be an issue of finance more than anything.

 

I could ask for it, but only it's my beloved who likes to spoil me. And not about 1.5k $ fullset, of course.

 

I'm glad you found out that he was wondering what you wanted as a gift ^^ I wouldn't ask for a doll as a present, just because I know my family doesn't have much money, my mum even admitted to me on my birthday that she probably wouldn't be able to afford a Christmas present for me, to which I replied 'That's fine, as long as I can still visit : )'

I got £50 from my Grandma, and also my nan and Grandad for my birthday, and after showing my uncle's girlfriend a picture of the doll I really want to buy in December she suggested that whenever the family gives me money on a special occassion I can save it for the doll ^^ She called it a doll fund, it was really sweet! That's the best reaction to the price of these dolls that I've ever received from family : D

 

That last part (how they feel about dolls) is an important factor, too. If they feel that the BJD hobby is a waste of time, money, etc., then you might get a lecture, and might not get anything doll-related. That's not a given, but it isn't impossible.

That might go for people who have doll phobias - especially if they live with you. If someone in my family asked me to contribute to them getting a tarantula - something I'd be scared of - I would not want to do it, because I'd also be triggering the image of spiders and tarantulas into my mind, like what happens if it escapes... and that would not sit well with me.

This is probably the same with people with a phobia of dolls. They might not like the idea that you're going to be bringing something they fear into the house, and they might not be too enthused about contributing to that item being there.

 

Depends on the price for me. Say it was like Dollfie Dream? No way buddy, something like that reserved for say, fiancee or wife status.

But, if it be something cheap for beginners....sure why not, maybe on a birthday or christmas, assuming you're a good friend.

 

Like others have said, it depends on your relationship with them and their own current financial status.

 

All of my dolls, save the last one I just bought myself, have been presents from one person. My grandmother. I never took the time to think of it as rude... My grandma normally does things like that to spoil me. However after 2 dolls for Christmas and a doll for my birthday, she said no more for a while Hence why I'm buying my last one. If offered, I'm considering asking for an SD for my graduation present. Although I'll probably just take the money and put it away for savings.
So maybe it could be seen as rude, but to me it was normal. If my grandma didn't want to buy it, she would tell me, and she loves all my dolls.

Now my uncle... hes going to be a part owner of a huge company, so when they sell it hes expecting 1-5 million dollar cut. I asked him already if he'd buy me a 1000$ Volks doll. He said Maybe! If I still like them by then! (Haha, of course I will!) I saw this as more rude then asking my grandma, I have a bad habit of asking alot from him. It would have been better if he had offered, but oh well, he has an obligation to buy me amazing presents! And by that, I mean my mother made him swear he'd buy her kids amazing presents every year

 

My family often has no clue what to get me for Christmas and my birthday so I have no problems asking for dolls. They know what to get me now and I use what they get. Its a win-win.

 

I think it depends on who you ask and how you ask, personally. I feel strongly that if someone is already considering buying me a doll they need my input - I don't want any surprises where BJDs are concerned. My boyfriend and parents aren't in the hobby and know nothing about avoiding bootlegs, so it's important for me that if they are considering buying me a doll or doll accessories that I know what they're buying and where from to avoid an unhappy ending.

The other thing is, like many of us in the hobby I have strong opinions about which dolls I find aesthetically pleasing and which ones I don't and I wouldn't like my loved ones to spend a lot of money on a doll I really don't like - especially as some relatives would be upset if I sold the doll they bought me. To avoid potential hurt feelings and potential bad purchases, I'd like to be involved at every level of the dolly purchase.

I wouldn't feel comfortable asking for a doll as a gift, I know how expensive they are and while I think it's fine for me to save up and buy a doll with my own money, I would feel cheeky expecting the same as a gift. I'd only broach the topic if someone was already considering a doll.

 

I know that the OP got her answer already, but I'd just like to add that it is not rude to ask for a doll as a gift. Yes this hobby can be expensive, but ultimately it is up to the person being asked to buy the doll. And only if you aren't hounding said person every time you talk to them. If they do agree to buy it for you then it really isn't about the doll or the money at that point, and more about giving something to you that makes you happy, and that you will cherish.

 

For me it's what Jescissa said. To ask for a doll as a present, it does depend on whom you're asking and their financial situation. If someone said, "Hey Somni, I want to get you a present. What doll would you like?" then I wouldn't feel so bad picking one within their budget and letting them buy it for me or contribute to the doll fund, should they still want to after we looked at dolls and price tags.

However, I'd feel pretty bad sticker shocking someone who was just trying to be nice. I guess, for me I'd rather someone gift me something cheap and useful like a new pair of ear buds or something rather than try to buy me a doll, because I'm picky about what comes home and my tastes are on the expensive side (and outrageous by non hobbiest standards). XD I'd rather save up and get the doll myself rather than putting someone out of that much money, or even considering to ask for that kind of a gift.

Though to be honest, if someone were to be determined to spend that kind of cash on me, I'd get something a little more useful than a doll. Like a new camera, studio light, or lens, put it into the car fund whatever. I really wouldn't want a doll. Guess I'm weird like that, but I think it's because my dolls sit on my shelves, waiting for me to take pictures of them. I would rather have someone gift me something that they could see me enjoy on a semi regular basis, so they don't have to wonder if their money went to waste

 

A friend of mine wants an Angel of Dream MSD as a birthday present from her friends.
She asked some friends of her to buy it together. That way it wouldn't be too expensive for everyone.
I think that's a good way to do it.

 

Because my birthday and Christmas are about a month apart, I decided to ask if my parents might be willing to bundle the giftmases together for a doll (Dollfie Dream). However, I was also quick to explain that they didn't need to be focused on getting a full doll, that really a head or a body would be great if the whole thing seemed too expensive. ^^'

I know a lot of people tend to have a huge list of various items they would like at a range of prices so that it's easier for gift-givers to pick and choose what is ok for them in a price range, but my parents tend to be the sort who will try to buy everything on the list, and I really feel bad asking for anything really. I know on average they tend to spend around the price of a non-limited Dollfie Dream on gifts, and I thought since the two events are so close together anyway it may be a bit easier to hit both events at once.