That's true - I always try to buy my god-daughter something fancy for Christmas, because her parents aren't that well off so they spend money on necessities - and I know they appreciate getting such things as a gift.

But "best clothes" as oppsed to "party clothes" can be used for all sorts of things, if they're adaptable enough. Not that hand-me-downs can't also be used for this. I think I should have stuck to my original point about the girls having equal access to a pony rather than getting into the clothing thing, because it actually didn't register that much with me when I read the book!