Holiday Barbies | Value as Dazzling as Their Dresses

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’re SecurCare 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 Barbie doll 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 huge white 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 YearsHoliday 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.

2020 Holiday Barbie in box Holiday Barbies | Value as Dazzling as Their Dresses

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 on Amazon for $40.

2021 barbie on shelf holiday barbie values

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!

Find out what these collectibles are worth:

This post was originally published on October 1, 2020. It was updated on October 21, 2021.

55 thoughts on “Holiday Barbies | Value as Dazzling as Their Dresses”

  1. What does it mean when I look up a Barbie item and there is a line drawn through it. Who can I contact for special edition or collector series Barbie’s?

  2. I’m looking to sell my collection of Holiday Barbies from 1991-2020 all still in box never opened never played with, where should I start this process?

  3. I have all of the 1990’s through 2001 holiday barbies that have never been taken out of the box or opened. How do I find out if they’re worth anything?

  4. Looking to see the appraisal amounts for several holiday barbies all in box never removed.. from 1988 to 2011

  5. I have barbies from the sixties to the nineties I have her clothes from the fifties and the sixties up to 63 I believe. I want to sell all my barbies in R b’s and one lump sums so if you don’t have any money please don’t inquire…. Also the NBA barbies I have probably 30 or more of those and also barbies from the eighties and nineties in their boxes never removed

  6. I have an original 1997 Barbie Holiday Dance Musical Set. Never been taken out of the box. Plays 15 Classic Christmas Carols and waltz to 30 classic songs.

  7. I’ve a barbie special edition happy holidays doll that I have from 1998 I’m looking to sell it still in the box hasn’t been touched how much is it worth?

  8. Lorraine,
    How is the sale going. I have a set about the same as yours and have been trying to sell them for about 4 days. I have gotten the feeling you have to beware if scanners and the job of selling is not easy.
    Todd

  9. I have 46 barbies from last 23 years, never been opened and in great condition. Collection editions and limited editions. Holiday barbies etc please can someone advise me where to sale my collection

  10. To find out just how much your exact barbie is worth, contact your local antique shops or get in touch with a doll appraiser.

  11. We suggest contacting a doll apprasier or your local antique shop. You can also visit sites like ebay to see how much your specific models of dolls are selling for.

  12. We suggest contacting a doll apprasier or your local antique shop. You can also visit sites like ebay to see what other people are selling their dolls for.

  13. We suggest contacting a doll apprasier or your local antique shop. You can also visit sites like ebay to see what other people are selling their dolls for.

  14. We suggest contacting a doll apprasier or your local antique shop. You can also visit sites like ebay to see what other people are selling their dolls for.

  15. I have a 2013 Holliday Barbie and the box is pretty broken but the Barbie has never been out. how much Would you guess the price went down?

  16. I’m interested in purchasing holiday barbies, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 I need two of each year, except 2013, I need three of them, and 2017-2018 I need 4 of them. Are you interested in selling them? Terri

  17. I’m interested in purchasing holiday barbies, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 I need two of each year, except 2013, I need three of them, and 2017-2018 I need 4 of them. Are you interested in selling them? Terri

  18. I’m interested in purchasing holiday barbies, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 I need two of each year, except 2013, I need three of them, and 2017-2018 I need 4 of them. Are you interested in selling them? Terri

  19. I’m interested in purchasing holiday barbies, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 I need two of each year, except 2013, I need three of them, and 2017-2018 I need 4 of them. Are you interested in selling them? Terri

  20. I see everyone gets pretty much one answer check your local doll appraiser or ebay…
    I have a rare Barbie that has the picture of the dress on the back of box different then the actual dress she’s wearing does anyone know how much I should ask

  21. I recently bought a storage unit that contained a older Barbie collection and I’m not a collector of them wanting to sell them to fund my next buy

  22. I’ve looked and found different price ranges. I have one 1997 brown hair and one 1997 blonde hair , that are still in the box and never opened. Can you give me an estimate on what they are worth. Thank you for any help

  23. I have one of each year you indicated above, all MIB. 2017 is the Latina Barbie. Are you still looking for Barbies from these years? What price do you offer?

  24. I want to sell my 2013 Christmas Barbie that has never been taken out of the box with the box in perfect condition, should I wait?

  25. Good luck selling your Christmas Barbie! We recommend looking online at the value to decide when you plan to sell.

  26. I have several Barbie’s from 1988 to 1998 I would love to know the value all still in box box never opened

  27. We can’t help you list your dolls on our site, but there are many online resale sites you can check out!

  28. Terry, I have two 2011 Holiday Barbie’s with the necklace on the side. They have never been taken out of the box and they have been stored in an Old Trunk. How much would you give for them? The boxes are also in excellent condition.

  29. I have 1988-1994 holiday barbies. They are all NIB but the boxes on a few are pretty damaged with yellow plastic or tears. I cannot find a doll appraiser in my area. Any suggestions on how I can find price points for these?

  30. i have a pristine 2018
    i have 1 pristine 2017
    pristine 2011
    pristine 2012
    and many more all stored never opened and prinstine

  31. Question. One of my Barbies was purchased at a Walmart and it still has the sale price tag on the box. Should that be removed or left on? Thank you.

  32. I have the entire collection MIB. They have all been stored in totes, so they haven’t even been exposed to the light. If there were different colored dresses, hair, etc, I have every option.

    What would you think the entire collection would be worth?

    Where would you go about looking to sell if I were ever interested in parting with it?

  33. What is the value for a 1999 40th anniversary Barbie . Original box ,never opened and all original accessories. NRFB condition.

  34. Hi Terry,

    I just saw your post and I have one 2014 Holiday Barbie left if you still need that year. Please let me know if you want pictures. It is still in the box and is in near perfect condition.

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