Barbie’s First Official Hanukkah Doll Is Wearing a Menorah Sweater That Actually Lights Up

By Alexis Mikulski Ruiz

Alexis Mikulski Ruiz

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The holiday season is about to get a lot merrier, and, in this case, brighter, thanks to Barbie’s new Hanukkah-themed doll. Released this week by Mattel, the 11-inch Barbie comes decked out in a menorah sweater that actually lights up, part of the brand’s new “Ugly Sweater” doll collection. She also has bouncy brown hair and tiny freckles across her face.

Retailing at Walmart for less than $30, the toy is already getting plenty of attention. The retailer notes that hundreds have been purchased in the last 24 hours, and we expect that number to keep climbing as Hanukkah gets closer (this year, it runs from Dec. 4 through Dec. 12).

Barbie Holiday Sweater Doll

$27.00

Ships quick!

Social media couldn’t contain its excitement over the launch, either, with Reddit users praising everything from “the quality of her jumper” to saying they “can’t wait to buy one for the entire family.” Another commenter wrote, “I’m thrilled that Mattel has finally recognized Chanukah.” In addition to the Hanukkah Barbie, the Ugly Sweater collection includes two other releases, both dressed in Christmas-themed crewnecks.

What’s especially notable about this Barbie, though, is the accuracy of the menorah on her sweater. Eagle-eyed TikTok users were quick to point out that when the Hanukkah candelabrum appears in pop culture or on holiday products, it’s sometimes depicted incorrectly, often with the wrong number of branches. Barbie’s version gets all nine.

There’s also a fitting bit of history behind the release: Barbie was created by Jewish inventor Ruth Handler, who co-founded Mattel with her husband in 1945. She helped grow the company into one of the world’s most recognizable brands, and more than eight decades after Mattel’s founding, Barbie still sells “three dolls every second,” according to reports.

And speaking of Barbie success, the brand has been on quite the generational run with its recent drops. Its viral Lenny Kravitz “Kenbassador” doll is already nearly sold out online after thousands of fans scooped it up, and this new release is generating plenty of praise of its own. So while we’re still more than two months out from Hanukkah, now is the ideal time to grab this Barbie before she disappears from shelves.