Watching the cartoons yesterday morning I couldn’t help but feel that Matel was just getting lazy. Their new offering was simply called “2009 Holiday Barbie (wrapped in a pink shiny bow)”. No “santas little helper Barbie” or “Modern Manhattan socialite Barbie”. Just an it’s Christmas and we should have something new for you to buy, but honestly we just can’t be bothered. Now obviously it’s no skin off my nose, as I have no desire or plan to buy a Barbie, let alone a let’s-cash-in-on-Christmas Barbie, but surely the customers who do want one deserve a bit more.