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American Girl Has A New Harry Potter Collection

American Girl has teamed up with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to create a new line featuring the four Hogwarts Houses sized perfectly for your 18″ doll.

Let’s take a look!

American Girl House Set- $26

Each set has a sweater, tie and scarf.

Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Hufflepuff 

Hogwarts Uniform and Skirt – $55

  • A hooded robe with a Hogwarts crest on the chest, a white button-front shirt, a pleated twill skirt, a pair of knee-high socks, and a pair of black Mary Janes.

Hogwarts Uniform with Pants -$55

  • A hooded robe with a Hogwarts crest on the chest, a white button-front shirt, a pair of twill pants with pockets, a pair of knit socks, and a pair of black dress shoes.

Sorting Hat and Nimbus 2000- $32

  • A moleskin Hogwarts Sorting Hat to tell you which house you belong in, and a broom with a gold Nimbus 2000 logo at the top, gold painted detail on the bottom, and a kickstand for action on the Quidditch pitch.

Hogwarts Trunk – $70

  • A trunk with gold rivet and bracket details, and a printed Hogwarts crest on the top. Inside, the trunk is flocked and has a secret fabric pocket to store small items.

Includes:

  • A wand, a plush pet owl, a blank journal with a printed Hogwarts crest on the cover, and a faux feather quill and ink well
  • A Hogwarts acceptance letter and supply list that fold up and fit in a printed envelope with a pretend wax seal tab
  • A printed Hogwarts Express train ticket and plenty of snacks for the ride, including a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans and a Honeydukes Chocolate Frog box with a chocolate frog and a trading card of Albus Dumbledore.”

Harry Potter Uniform Collection (Pants) – $157

Everything her doll will need for the first day at Hogwarts™! This set features:

American Girl® Hogwarts™ Uniform with Pants for 18-inch Dolls: A hooded robe with a Hogwarts crest on the chest, a white button-front shirt, a pair of twill pants with pockets, a pair of knit socks, and a pair of black dress shoes

American Girl® Hogwarts™ Trunk for 18-inch Dolls: A trunk with a Hogwarts™ crest on the top, a wand, a plush pet owl, a journal, a faux feather quill and ink well, a Hogwarts acceptance letter and supply list, a Hogwarts Express train ticket, and plenty of snacks for the ride

American Girl® Sorting Hat Nimbus 2000™ for 18-inch Dolls: A moleskin Hogwarts™ Sorting Hat, and a broom with a gold Nimbus 2000™ logo.

Harry Potter Uniform Collection (Skirt) -$157

Everything her doll will need for the first day at Hogwarts™! This set features:

American Girl® Hogwarts™ Uniform with Skirt for 18-inch Dolls: A hooded robe with a Hogwarts crest on the chest, a white button-front shirt, a pleated twill skirt, a pair of knee-high socks, and a pair of black Mary Janes

American Girl® Hogwarts™ Trunk for 18-inch Dolls: A trunk with a Hogwarts™ crest on the top, a wand, a plush pet owl, a journal, a faux feather quill and ink well, a Hogwarts acceptance letter and supply list, a Hogwarts Express train ticket, and plenty of snacks for the ride

American Girl® Sorting Hat Nimbus 2000™ for 18-inch Dolls: A moleskin Hogwarts™ Sorting Hat, and a broom with a gold Nimbus 2000™ logo.

Harry Potter Ultimate Collection – $306

Bring home the ultimate Hogwarts™ experience! She can play out the wizarding adventures of all four houses and more with this set, featuring:

American Girl® Hogwarts™ Uniform with Skirt for 18-inch Dolls: A hooded robe with a Hogwarts crest on the chest, a white button-front shirt, a pleated twill skirt, a pair of knee-high socks, and a pair of black Mary Janes

American Girl® Hogwarts™ Uniform with Pants for 18-inch Dolls: A hooded robe with a Hogwarts crest on the chest, a white button-front shirt, a pair of twill pants with pockets, a pair of knit socks, and a pair of black dress shoes

American Girl® Hogwarts™ Trunk for 18-inch Dolls: A trunk with a Hogwarts™ crest on the top, a wand, a plush pet owl, a journal, a faux feather quill and ink well, a Hogwarts acceptance letter and supply list, a Hogwarts Express train ticket, and plenty of snacks for the ride

American Girl® Sorting Hat Nimbus 2000™ for 18-inch Dolls: A moleskin Hogwarts™ Sorting Hat, and a broom with a gold Nimbus 2000™ logo

American Girl® Gryffindor™ Set for 18-inch Dolls: A gray sweater with red and gold stripes on the trim and a Gryffindor crest on the chest, a red and gold satin tie, and a red and gold knit scarf featuring the Gryffindor crest and fringe on the ends

American Girl® Slytherin™ Set for 18-inch Dolls: A gray sweater with green and silver stripes on the trim and a Slytherin crest on the chest, a green and silver satin tie, and a green and silver knit scarf featuring the Slytherin crest and fringe on the ends

American Girl® Hufflepuff™ Set for 18-inch Dolls: A gray sweater with yellow and black stripes on the trim and a Hufflepuff crest on the chest, a yellow and black satin tie, and a yellow and black knit scarf featuring the Hufflepuff crest and fringe on the ends

American Girl® Ravenclaw™ Set for 18-inch Dolls: A gray sweater with blue and silver stripes on the trim and a Ravenclaw crest on the chest, a blue and silver satin tie, and a blue and silver knit scarf featuring the Ravenclaw crest and fringe on the ends.

If you would like these I would try to buy them as soon as possible. The Gryffindor set is already sold out and on back order.

What Harry Potter Can (And Can’t) Teach Us About Economics

A new paper in Oxford Open Economics, published by Oxford University Press, explores “Potterian economics”—the economics of the world of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Comparing such economics with professional economic models indicates that while some aspects of this economy are in line with economic models, many other aspects are distorted, contradicting professional economists’ views.

Evidence suggests that the public’s economic literacy is low and that it acquires much of the knowledge about economics through books, newspapers, etc. There is also evidence that literature affects readers, shaping their views. It is, therefore, possible that the 7-book series may exert influence and reflect on the public’s economic perspectives and sentiments. A conservative estimate suggests that more than 7.3% of the world’s population has read the Potter books and millions more have seen their movie versions. Given such extraordinary popularity of the books, their effect on the economic sentiments of the public might be considerable.

The researchers found that the economics of these books mix ideas from different models and worldviews. For example, the Potterian economic model is critical of market-based systems, yet it belittles government. The government is corrupt, yet it has public support.

The money used in the Harry Potter books is made of precious metals (like in the old English monetary system), yet its purchasing power is unrelated to its commodity value (like fiduciary money). The conversion rates between the Galleon, Sickle, and Knut are prime numbers which make transactions that involve more than one type of coin very inconvenient. Also, the money is not easily storable, divisible, portable, and homogeneous, which are essential for it to serve as an efficient medium of exchange or store of value. Lack of divisibility forces retailers to use round prices, leading to inefficient grid pricing. For example, prices denoted in Galleons only change by Galleons, and thus retailers cannot respond to small shocks. Lack of portability means that carrying coins is cumbersome, and thus characters in the Harry Potter books store them at Gringotts bank, where withdrawals and deposits are costly, requiring time and lengthy procedures.

The researchers find that arbitrage opportunities are not exploited, and efficiency-improving transactions go unnoticed. For example, there is a large gap between the commodity value of a gold Galleon and its exchange value which points to an arbitrage opportunity: Wizards could melt the gold, sell it to muggles as a commodity, and then exchange the muggle money for Galleons. However, characters in the novels do not seem to take advantage of this opportunity, although it promises immense profits and no risk. Not even the bankers, including the greediest ones, seem to notice it.

The Gringotts bank, which has a monopoly, does not serve as an intermediary between savers and investors, and it does not offer loans because of biases and prejudices against financial service providers, yet the books are often viewed and described as rejecting stereotypes.

The researchers also note that characters in the Harry Potter books do not seem to experience technological progress, except in the magical broomstick industry, where new models are introduced each year.

“A naïve reader of Harry Potter would get a distorted view of economics,” said Daniel Levy, one of the paper’s authors. “Consider some of the lessons we learn from Potterian economics: markets are not fair for transactions are zero sum; the political process is not transparent; markets encourage crony capitalism; capitalists want to enslave the proletariat; businessmen are deceptive and devious; wealthy people are mean and unethical; no interest is paid on deposits; there is a monopoly on information; power is concentrated; ignorance about foreigners is the norm; domestic producers are protected from foreign competition even if they are inefficient; paper checks are non-existent; creative thinking is rare; human capital does not accumulate; public employees have life-time job-security irrespective of their efficiency; the public sector is the default employer; downward social mobility is the norm; there is a constant class struggle. This is only a partial list.”

“The shortcomings listed above characterize many real economies,” Levy continued. “This perhaps explains why the Potterian economic model resonates with people. Despite its inaccuracies, it is consistent with folk economics, which while perhaps problematic for human flourishing in a Smithian sense, captures and reflects popular views on many economic and social issues.”

An everyday story of boy meets vampire

When teenagers Eli and Oskar meet in the play Let the Right One In, the beginning of a chilling, yet deeply compassionate, vampire story are not entirely obvious.

This is the story of two outsiders. Oskar, bullied at school and living in a sterile housing estate in a Swedish suburb with his smothering mother, and Eli, an elfin otherworldly character who has just moved into the neighbourhood.

A fledgling friendship begins, but so do a series of gruesome murders in the area. Are they connected to Eli? Who is she? “I’m nothing,” she says to Oskar. “Not a child. Not old. Not a boy. Not a girl. Nothing.”

Alexander Berlage: ‘It’s fundamentally a beautiful storyline of two teenagers trying to find a connection.’

Alexander Berlage: ‘It’s fundamentally a beautiful storyline of two teenagers trying to find a connection.’Credit:Oscar Colman

Alexander Berlage, who is directing the production by Darlinghurst Theatre Company, describes Let the Right One In as a supernatural horror coming-of-age teenage romance.

Harry Potter-themed New Year’s Eve celebration planned for downtown Farmington’s Riley Park Ice Rink

Melissa Andrade admits that she was a little nervous in the minutes leading up to the practice run for Farmington’s first ever New Year’s Eve ball drop. But as the “ball” — a surprise wrapped in plastic that won’t be revealed until the event itself — was successfully raised and lowered to the surface of the Riley Park Ice Rink, Andrade felt a wave of relief that was soon replaced with anticipation for this year’s big event.

“I’m really excited now. It’s been so much work through the holidays; we made the chocolate frogs ourselves. But the practice run for the ball drop made everything seem like it’s going to be okay,” says Andrade, Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Farmington.

“I want to reiterate that this event is a lot of work made possible by the time given by our volunteers. The people stepping up to help out during the holidays has been phenomenal.”

A surprise New Year’s Eve ball drop, chocolate frogs — downtown Farmington’s New Year’s Eve celebration is a themed-one, called Harry Potter and the Holiday Skate. The event started a few years ago and was typically held on the Saturday between Christmas and the New Year, but with New Year’s Eve falling on a Saturday this year, the decision was made to make it a full-blown New Year’s Eve celebration.

The first Harry Potter-themed event at Riley Park Ice Rink took place in 2018 and was an immediate success, Andrade says — although she’s quick to point out that the event itself was actually her daughter’s idea. Andrade expected 50 to 70 people to show up to the ice rink that inaugural night; the crowd would number in the hundreds.

After COVID-19 canceled its 2020 iteration, Harry Potter and the Holiday Skate returns bigger than ever. The event officially begins at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 31, in downtown Farmington’s Riley Park Ice Rink. Planned activities include a Horcrux scavenger hunt, Quidditch toss, and a Harry Potter-themed costume contest. Professor Pemberton’s Wands Accoutrements, Clever Creations by Amy, The Cheese Lady, and Dearborn Music will also be on hand.

As for the ball drop, a kid-friendly one is scheduled for 9 p.m. in Riley Park. The main event will see the mystery New Year’s Eve ball dropped at the stroke of midnight, lowered from a Farmington fire truck’s extended ladder to the surface of Riley Park Ice Rink.

Hot cocoa, chocolate frogs, and butterbeer will be served, and since the ice rink is part of the Syndicate’s social district footprint, festival-goers will be allowed to purchase alcoholic beverages from participating bars and restaurants to bring into Riley Park itself.

The New Year’s Eve celebration should be one that appeals to both children and adults, a family-friendly event that ties in a well-loved story that is beginning to be passed from one generation to the next.

Harry Potter is as popular as ever, both kids and adults love it,” Andrade says. “Those books came out twenty years ago and the kids that grew up reading it are now adults and there are new generations of kids that now love it, too.”

Harry Potter and the Holiday Skate is scheduled from 8 p.m. to midnight on New Year’s Eve in downtown Farmington’s Riley Park. Tickets for the event, $10 for individuals and $30 for families, are available online and in-person.

Being a Harry Potter super fan can be more costly than Star Wars fandom

Fans can go behind the scenes of the “Harry Potter” franchise by visiting the “Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter,” in Leavesden, United Kingdom. Image: ETX Daily Up/Sabrina Alili

A study looking at the most expensive movie franchises for fans has found that being a super fan of the Harry Potter franchise can be more costly than Star Wars fandom. So which are the top 10 most expensive and most affordable movie franchises for fans?

Evidently, the magic comes at a cost for fans of the Wizarding World. As the latest installment of Fantastic Beasts spin-off series hits theaters April 15, the movie franchise based on J.K. Rowling’s books has been named the most expensive for super fans, according to Money.co.uk.

The British price comparison website has selected 39 movie franchises, among the most popular worldwide, consisting of at least three films, to determine the average cost of box sets and fan merchandise on eBay. The study puts the Harry Potter franchise at the top of the table as the most expensive franchise for fans, with a total of £467.98 (about P32,050).

To determine this top 20, the site compared the average price of a full box set of movies, an action figure, a t-shirt, a costume and a signed movie poster. The first Harry Potter movie, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” was released in 2001. Since then, seven other movies have been released, making the franchise a particularly prolific business.

In second place comes the “Godfather” franchise. Although with only three films, the franchise directed by Francis Ford Coppola comes at a cost of £448.62 (about P30,720) to fans. Unlike “Harry Potter,” while the average price of the box set is cheaper, the signed poster reaches £382 (about P26,160) compared with £306 (about P20,910) for the boy wizard. Next in the top three comes “Back to the Future” costing £355.84 (about P24,340).

As for the most affordable franchises, “Star Wars” is in sixth place at a cost of just £109.17 (about P7,500) to fans. But the top prize goes to “Shrek,” with a total of only £60.46 (about P4,100) for the box set and all the merchandise. The “Die Hard” saga and “Twilight” complete the top three most affordable franchises for movie fans, according to Money.co.uk.

Top 20 most expensive movie franchises for super fans

  1. Harry Potter – £467.98 (about P32,050)
  2. The Godfather – £448.62 (about P30,720)
  3. Back to the Future – £355.84 (about P24,340)
  4. Superman – £263.11 (about P18,020)
  5. Lord of the Rings – £250.51 (about P17,160)
  6. The Hobbit – £243.22 (about P16,660)
  7. Dark Knight Trilogy – £232.80 (about P15,940)
  8. Rambo – £228.81 (about P15,670)
  9. James Bond – £221.63 (about P15,180)
  10. Guardians of the Galaxy – £218.07 (about P14,930)
  11. Batman – £215.58 (about P14,760)
  12. Jurassic Park – £214.22 (about P14,670)
  13. Avengers – £211.15 (about P14,460)
  14. Hulk – £203.45 (about P13,930)
  15. Matrix – £202.52 (about P13,870)
  16. Godzilla – £199.54 (about P13,660)
  17. Transformers – £198.61 (about P13,600)
  18. Karate Kid – £198.10 (about P13,570)
  19. Star Trek – £196.01 (about P13,420)
  20. Indiana Jones – £189.17 (about P12,950)

Top 15 most affordable movie franchises for super fans

  1. Shrek – £60.46 (about P4,100)
  2. Die Hard – £75.30 (about P5,100)
  3. Twilight – £78.99 (about P5,400)
  4. Ghostbusters – £100.58 (about P6,900)
  5. Iron Man – £101.21 (about P6,930)
  6. Star Wars – £109.17 (about P7,500)
  7. Captain America – £112.24 (about P7,700)
  8. Rocky – £114.98 (about P7,900)
  9. Austin Powers – £122.57 (about P8,400)
  10. John Wick – £123.46 (about P8,500)
  11. Men in Black – £135.87 (about P9,300)
  12. Wonder Woman – £159.70 (about P10,900)
  13. Hunger Games – £164.49 (about P11,300)
  14. Toy Story – £166.39 (about P11,400)
  15. Pirates of the Caribbean – £174.71 (about P12,000) DC

RELATED STORIES:

Harry Potter’ star Bonnie Wright is now married

Harry Potter’ director interested in making ‘Cursed Child’ film with original cast

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The Vera Bradley Harry Potter Collection Is Available NOW

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, which means when you click a link and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Are you still waiting on your Hogwarts letter?

Hogwarts

Well, even if it hasn’t arrived yet, you may have visited Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter, collected Harry Potter merchandise, like wands and mugs, or just watched allll the Harry Potter movies multiple times! Well, can now get some NEW Harry Potter items to bring a sense of that magic home.

Vera Bradley just released a NEW Harry Potter collection, and it will feature two designs focused on some of Harry Potter’s friends, like Hedwig, Dobby, Cerberus, Fawkes, and more! The Friends of Hogwarts design will also feature the Hogwarts crest.

©Vera Bradley

Another design, the Friends of Hogwarts Ditsy has a fun pattern with Crookshanks, Dobby, Professor McGonagall AS A CAT(!), a Time Turner, and more!

©Vera Bradley

This Small Vera Tote comes in the Friends at Hogwarts Ditsy print. It comes with lots of pockets for easy organization and it’s made with recycled cotton.

©Vera Bradley

Get it for $105!

Click here to order the Harry Potter Small Vera Tote!

The Harry Potter Campus Backpack comes in two different prints, both the Friends at Hogwarts print and the Ditsy print. This backpack is made with recycled cotton and it features a laptop compartment along with plenty of internal organization and space for all your things.

©Vera Bradley

Get either print for $150.

Order the Harry Potter Campus Backpack here!

If you’re looking for a travel bag, this Harry Potter Weekender Travel Bag is available in the Ditsy print, with a detachable strap and five mesh pockets inside.

©Vera Bradley

You can order this bag for $160!

Click here to order the Harry Potter Weekender Travel Bag!

Bags aren’t the only thing included in this release! There are also home, apparel, and gift items available, like this Harry Potter Hooded Fleece Robe, made with lightweight fleece and raglan sleeves.

©Vera Bradley

Get it now for $75!

Get the Harry Potter Hooded Fleece Robe here!

And this Harry Potter Throw Blanket features the Hogwarts Crest, but you can also get it in the Ditsy print. It’s a pretty big size at 50 inches wide by 80 inches long.

©Vera Bradley

You can cuddle under this blanket for $75.

Click here to order the Harry Potter Plush Throw Blanket!

You can check out the whole Harry Potter Vera Bradley Collection now, but don’t wait too long to place your order!

Check out the Harry Potter Vera Bradley Collection here!

Need even MORE Harry Potter in your life? You might want to check out the interactive Forbidden Forest Experience, which is coming to the U.S. soon!

Interested in everything at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Orlando? We’ve ranked EVERYTHING — and if you want to do everything there in one day, here’s an itinerary! Stay tuned for more Harry Potter news.

Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to get the free list ranking the Harry Potter Must-dos at Universal Orlando! Click here to get started!

Will you be grabbing a Vera Bradley Harry Potter bag? Let us know in the comments!