Back to basics

Holly Hobbie was first introduced in 1967 on a line of American Greetings cards. By 1970, the Holly Hobbie product was the number-one selling brand, building more than $1 billion in sales by 1980. Nearly four decades later, the classic patchwork doll returns from RC2, Oak Brook, Ill., for young girls, moms and grandmas to share.

Holly Hobbie—once a household name—appeals to women through generations and can be passed down to grandchildren today.

The history of the brand will likely draw into shops, customers who are looking for something to pass down to another generation, if they aren't picking an item up for themselves.

The new Holly Hobbie, as well as the old rag doll, comes in traditional patchwork design. The authentic Hobbie features the classic blue apron patchwork, paisley bonnet and floral dress.

The Blue Girl Hobbie has the traditional look with a few more colors and flowers splashed in. The Country Life includes warm browns, gold and green with prairie daisies.

A new line of nursery and infant apparel, More About Baby, will launch in spring 2006 as will home décor items, greeting cards, collectible gifts, music, kitchen domestics, nursery products and other lifestyle products.

And the Holly Hobbie comeback doesn't end there. In addition to more products behind the doll, American Greetings, Cleveland, and Nickelodeon Consumer Products, New York, will launch the Holly Hobbie and Friends line next year.

Holly Hobbie and Friends, a direct-to-video series from Nickelodeon and Paramount Home Entertainment, Hollywood, Calif., will expand the classic brand to additional characters for younger girls aged 4 to 6.

The new series will introduce two new friends of Holly—Amy and Carrie—and their families.

To follow the launch of the Holly Hobbie and Friends series, Mattel, El Segundo, Calif., signed on to produce toys based on the series by late 2006. Apparel, crafts, home decor and publishing will complete the Holly Hobbie and Friends product line.

A storybook and a coloring activity program from Simon & Schuster, New York, and two sound books from Meredith Books, Des Moines, Iowa, will release by fall 2006, as well.

Additional items coming out for spring 2006 include giftware, bed and bath products, crafts, jewelry and dollhouses.

With the American Greetings relaunch of Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake selling more than $2 million since 2002, Holly, which has more of a history, may just make a bigger splash in the years to come.

Gifts and collectibles, costumes, scrapbooking, cards and candles are some products available this fall.