Hi Miranda,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Celebration Barbie was created as a special holiday edition of Barbie, first released in 1988 as "Happy Holidays Barbie." It was designed to be a collector's item, celebrating the festive season with elegant gowns, luxurious details, and a glamorous look. The dolls quickly became popular among collectors, leading to an annual tradition of releasing a new holiday Barbie each year.

The "Celebration Barbie" name was introduced in 2000, marking a transition from the "Happy Holidays" series. Her silver and white gown symbolized the new millennium. The dolls were designed to capture the spirit of the holiday season, often featuring elaborate dresses, sparkling accessories, and festive packaging. These dolls were not only a favorite among collectors but also made for cherished holiday gifts.

I'm not able to find out how many Celebration Barbies were made/issued but it's not marketed as "Limited Edition." there are several currently on retail platforms now, some in the box, others without. Platforms like eBay, where sellers are not regulated or transparent in their prices, should be considered with a hefty grain of salt since sellers sometimes over-value their items in the hope of finding someone with deep pockets but who is otherwise naive to the market who is willing to pay the exorbitant asking price ($12,000 or $13,000 are two such examples currently listed). If one looks to the auction market rather than retail websites, these typically sell for between $50-75 if still in the box.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A near vintage Celebration Barbie
made by Mattel, circa 2000
Box is 13-5/8 inches tall, 12 inches wide, 4inches thick
CONDITION: New, in the box
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$ 50-75*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia