Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Welcome, doll collectors! This year, I'm excited to team up with March Payne for our 12 Days of Christmas Barbie Alternating Advent. We're each opening one drawer every other day from our advent calendar, sharing the excitement of each barbie doll and accessory. Join us as we compare the 2023 and 2024 Barbie Christmas versions in this special advent calendar unboxing, perfect for any Barbie collector or dolls enthusiast!
In today’s episode, I open Drawer One of the 2024 12 Days of Christmas Barbie, take a close look at her gorgeous mid-century glamour, and then recreate my own inspired version using dolls and materials from my collection. These aren’t replicas — they’re homemade, mid-century Atomic Ranch-style looks anyone can make with simple materials you probably already have as a collector.
You’ll see:
• close-ups of the 2024 Day 1 Barbie
• her gold brocade holiday look
• vintage face sculpt details
• the Fashion Queen Barbie reproduction I chose as my “inspired” muse
• the dress, wig, jewelry, and styling I made by hand
• and a peek at my 60th Anniversary Ken, dressed for the party
Make sure to head to @MarchPaynesMidlifeDollyCrisis to watch his Day 1 unboxing of the 2023 set — his videos are joyful, generous, and full of vintage holiday magic. WATCH MARCH’S DAY 1 VIDEO: @marchpaynesmidlifedollycrisis - here's the direct link to his Day 1 video: youtube.com/watch?v=q1HKTbDBS9U
Check out the following Dolly YouTubers who are also opening advent calendars on their channels this year:
@littleplasticfriends - 12 Days of Christmas Barbie 2022 (I LOVE this version!!!!!)
@NickysDW youtube.com/watch?v=TMiwkfTlatg
@wheredollsdwell youtu.be/x-OQW2RGCLY?si=31xszE2tXnpB4SBb
@ClaireWhoMakesThings
Come back tomorrow for Day 2 — we’re opening these calendars all month long.
🎄 Mid-Century Holiday Crafts Supply List
Gather what you love. Borrow what you have. Create your own Atomic-Age magic.
1. Your Mid-Century Muse - Choose a Barbie (or any fashion doll) to be your holiday inspiration. Dress her in something seasonal — store-bought, borrowed, or handmade.
For the handmade route, you’ll want:
A sparkly sock or stretch fabric in your favorite festive shade
Needle, thread, and small scissors
A few straight pins
A simple beading kit: 4mm and 6mm beads in gold and silver tones
Jewelry wire or strong thread
Headpins or eyepins for earrings
Small jewelry pliers
Gold shoes or heels borrowed from another doll
And remember: shop your own collection. Playsets and older Barbies can be treasure troves.
2. Backdrop + Set Construction
To build your mid-century holiday room, gather:
Cardboard, paperboard, or foam board
Cardstock or mid-century Christmas wrapping paper
Access to a printer (home or print shop)
A poster print if you’d like a polished backdrop — mine cost around $16 with a coupon
Scissors or a craft knife
Glue stick, tacky glue, or double-sided tape
Everything here can be as simple or elaborate as you want — mid-century style is more about intention than perfection.
3. Air-Dry Clay Projects
For the several of the decor pieces:
Air-dry clay
Clay tools (or household substitutes like a toothpick and a butter knife)
Gold hairpin legs (mini craft legs, jewelry wire, or trimmed metal findings)
Fine-grit sandpaper
Craft paints in Tiffany blue, warm white, gold, and any retro colors you love
A couple of paintbrushes
Air-dry clay takes about 48 hours to cure, so plan ahead.
4. Miniature Holiday Details
A little sparkle goes a long way. You’ll want:
A mini Christmas tree (Dollar Tree size works beautifully)
Tiny wrapped presents
White “carpeting” — felt, fleece, faux snow fabric, anything with softness
Ribbon scraps
Bottlebrush trees (optional)
Small beads or charms for décor
Use what you already have; mid-century charm thrives on reinvention.
5. Basic Crafting Tools
Scissors
Ruler or measuring tape
Cutting mat or safe surface
Parchment paper (ideal for working with clay)
Hot glue gun (optional)
Mod Podge or a matte sealer (optional)
6. Things You Can Borrow or Repurpose
No need to buy everything new. Many of your minis can come from:
Older Barbie playsets (look for plates, cups, holiday bits)
Any 1:6 or 1:4 scale furniture
Gold accessories from other dolls
Leftover wrapping paper
Shipping box cardboard
This project rewards personal touches and “use what you have” creativity.
#12DaysOfChristmasBarbie
#12DaysOfChristmasAdvent
#BarbieCollector
#VintageBarbie
#BarbieReproduction
#BarbieDIY
#HolidayBarbie
#ChristmasCrafts
#MidCenturyStyle
#AtomicRanchBarbie
#BarbieFashionQueen
#2024HolidayBarbie
Welcome, doll collectors! This year, I'm excited to team up with March Payne for our 12 Days of Christmas Barbie Alternating Advent. We're each opening one drawer every other day from our advent calendar, sharing the excitement of each barbie doll and accessory. Join us as we compare the 2023 and 2024 Barbie Christmas versions in this special advent calendar unboxing, perfect for any Barbie collector or dolls enthusiast!
In today’s episode, I open Drawer One of the 2024 12 Days of Christmas Barbie, take a close look at her gorgeous mid-century glamour, and then recreate my own inspired version using dolls and materials from my collection. These aren’t replicas — they’re homemade, mid-century Atomic Ranch-style looks anyone can make with simple materials you probably already have as a collector.
You’ll see:
• close-ups of the 2024 Day 1 Barbie
• her gold brocade holiday look
• vintage face sculpt details
• the Fashion Queen Barbie reproduction I chose as my “inspired” muse
• the dress, wig, jewelry, and styling I made by hand
• and a peek at my 60th Anniversary Ken, dressed for the party
Make sure to head to @MarchPaynesMidlifeDollyCrisis to watch his Day 1 unboxing of the 2023 set — his videos are joyful, generous, and full of vintage holiday magic. WATCH MARCH’S DAY 1 VIDEO: @marchpaynesmidlifedollycrisis - here's the direct link to his Day 1 video: youtube.com/watch?v=q1HKTbDBS9U
Check out the following Dolly YouTubers who are also opening advent calendars on their channels this year:
@littleplasticfriends - 12 Days of Christmas Barbie 2022 (I LOVE this version!!!!!)
@NickysDW youtube.com/watch?v=TMiwkfTlatg
@wheredollsdwell youtu.be/x-OQW2RGCLY?si=31xszE2tXnpB4SBb
@ClaireWhoMakesThings
Come back tomorrow for Day 2 — we’re opening these calendars all month long.
🎄 Mid-Century Holiday Crafts Supply List
Gather what you love. Borrow what you have. Create your own Atomic-Age magic.
1. Your Mid-Century Muse - Choose a Barbie (or any fashion doll) to be your holiday inspiration. Dress her in something seasonal — store-bought, borrowed, or handmade.
For the handmade route, you’ll want:
A sparkly sock or stretch fabric in your favorite festive shade
Needle, thread, and small scissors
A few straight pins
A simple beading kit: 4mm and 6mm beads in gold and silver tones
Jewelry wire or strong thread
Headpins or eyepins for earrings
Small jewelry pliers
Gold shoes or heels borrowed from another doll
And remember: shop your own collection. Playsets and older Barbies can be treasure troves.
2. Backdrop + Set Construction
To build your mid-century holiday room, gather:
Cardboard, paperboard, or foam board
Cardstock or mid-century Christmas wrapping paper
Access to a printer (home or print shop)
A poster print if you’d like a polished backdrop — mine cost around $16 with a coupon
Scissors or a craft knife
Glue stick, tacky glue, or double-sided tape
Everything here can be as simple or elaborate as you want — mid-century style is more about intention than perfection.
3. Air-Dry Clay Projects
For the several of the decor pieces:
Air-dry clay
Clay tools (or household substitutes like a toothpick and a butter knife)
Gold hairpin legs (mini craft legs, jewelry wire, or trimmed metal findings)
Fine-grit sandpaper
Craft paints in Tiffany blue, warm white, gold, and any retro colors you love
A couple of paintbrushes
Air-dry clay takes about 48 hours to cure, so plan ahead.
4. Miniature Holiday Details
A little sparkle goes a long way. You’ll want:
A mini Christmas tree (Dollar Tree size works beautifully)
Tiny wrapped presents
White “carpeting” — felt, fleece, faux snow fabric, anything with softness
Ribbon scraps
Bottlebrush trees (optional)
Small beads or charms for décor
Use what you already have; mid-century charm thrives on reinvention.
5. Basic Crafting Tools
Scissors
Ruler or measuring tape
Cutting mat or safe surface
Parchment paper (ideal for working with clay)
Hot glue gun (optional)
Mod Podge or a matte sealer (optional)
6. Things You Can Borrow or Repurpose
No need to buy everything new. Many of your minis can come from:
Older Barbie playsets (look for plates, cups, holiday bits)
Any 1:6 or 1:4 scale furniture
Gold accessories from other dolls
Leftover wrapping paper
Shipping box cardboard
This project rewards personal touches and “use what you have” creativity.
#12DaysOfChristmasBarbie
#12DaysOfChristmasAdvent
#BarbieCollector
#VintageBarbie
#BarbieReproduction
#BarbieDIY
#HolidayBarbie
#ChristmasCrafts
#MidCenturyStyle
#AtomicRanchBarbie
#BarbieFashionQueen
#2024HolidayBarbie
