#howliday

As mentioned, I like to get my grubby little hands on all the Skelita Calaveras-es because she's my fave. But I'm also cheap and try to only get things at a discount. I've been keeping tabs on 2024's Howliday Skelita since its release waiting for that sweet sweet discount. Usually, by the time the newer version comes out, the old one gets a steeper discount. That's how I've bought a lot of things and that's what I expected to happen with this one. Except that when 2025's Howliday Skelita released, 2024 sold out at Amazn. I honestly couldn't believe it and went through a few minutes of denial because surely this wasn't going to be the doll I was going to have to buy at second hand markup, right?

I decided to keep checking the listing everyday because sometimes after things sell out, Mattel Amazon restocks and if they did I was taking the leap and buying it! Maybe. Probably?

One morning I saw 5 available! They were priced significantly higher than what they were pre-sell out, but I had enough credit that I was able to snag her for far less!

SUCCESS!

Except that all that happened in September and she didn't have a delivery date until mid-late October. I was then checking its status daily to see if the order was still active or if it had been cancelled due to some error like "oops, we actually don't have them in stock, lulz!". Thankfully, it all went through without any problems and I received her at the end of October!

... yep. That's a collector item with nothing but two plastic bags to protect it.

Surprisingly , the only real damage was a squished corner:

First look (gonna go quick because there's plenty of more in-depth reviews out there):

That's a pretty big empty box there. Definitely could have made it narrower and have it look better.

WHY HEAD TABS?! But also, oh, interesting hat design. Assuming those tabs inside the crown are enough to have the hat stay on?

Out of the box:

And here she is! I have a lot gripes with Mattel and their continuous decline in quality and design especially when the prices keep going up.

So first, the "Yays!": I am happy to finally see a nod to the OG Catrina by Jose Guadalupe Posada with the big bougie hat. Her face paint is also brighter and is noticeably influenced by more modern face paint (like spiderwebs and hearts). There is a joke about how Monster High lately puts spiderwebs as a design element everywhere and on anyone regardless if it makes sense, but in this case it does. XD Speaking of face up, omg they fixed her eyes. Her eyes have always been slightly wall-eyed and it's been my peeve, but they finally fixed her. She has a very pretty face and gaze! Hair quality is still good ol' Saran. (and no glue) I like the shoe design. I know item heels are divisive, but I don't mind them here (they're candles).

The "Meh's": I've always loved how signature Skelita came with a papel picado skirt. Seeing it again here, eh... It looks and feels like they had a bunch of leftover printed fabric and wanted to use it up. I wish they had done something different besides papel picado, but if they did want to use it, I wish it had been done differently. Maybe bigger panels? Maybe they could have been actually picado/ laser cut outs. Maybe they could have filled the entire skirt of the gown with it so it didn't feel so sparse and stingy? The fabric quality. It's the thick, cheap, crunchy synthetic fabric again. Really wish they'd use trimming or deco aside from sheer unhemmed fabric. She only comes with a necklace and torso piece (belt?) as jewelry. The one for 2023 had six bracelets and a necklace. I understand the hat is big, but they couldn't spend a few more cents on some bracelets? Wish the plastic accessories had more painted details. It's a "collector" item, show me you care. No hair styling.

I don't hate her, but I just wish that she was better especially for the original price point. So many of these dolls fall flat. Monster High has a history of pushing design and fashion and lately it always feels like it falls short.

Anywho, was looking through my stash of bits and bobs and found and extra flower bolero from EAH's signature Briar and some very simple bracelets. Put them on her and:

I really really like the flower sleeves! >_< I really hope this is an extra set I have and not my actual Briar's because I really want to leave them on Skelita. I wanted to paint them marigold, but it looks nice as is. She needs more detailing, but for now I like her much more.

2023 and 2024. It'll be awhile before I can get 2025 Skelita.

Highlights

Ghoulish Greetings! Wrapped up like a mummified present in dazzling fabric, this Winter Edition Cleo De Nile Howliday doll shines brighter than the stars glittering in the sky!

It’s the night of the winter solstice, and Cleo De Nile sparkles with all the scary brightness of the season in her satiny dress and pleated organza overskirt

A gleaming “feather” and bow headdress crowns her sparkling, tinsel-strewn hair. Elegant snake details on her collar and belt complement this statement headpiece!

Her snowflake-dusted shawl glides behind her with gore-geous grace, the fringe swishing above her Anubis heels on the dance floor

Monster High wishes everyone a scary and bright howliday season! Explore the whole doll skullection for more scary-good gift ideas. Each sold separately, subject to availability

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