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Written by Wendy Wood
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Friday, 16 March 2007 |
Stuffed animals (especially teddy bears) possess a great deal of character. Some of the best gifts are the ones that fit the personality of the person you wish to give the gift to. Immediately, you know you’ve struck gold when a bright smile forms across their face as they unwrap the bulk of their present.
Stuffed Animals
Stuffed animals are not just for children. They make powerful good luck charms, as well as great flying companions. They signify support and when a loved one cannot be with you, they stand in their place. Stuffed animals can help you battle fear and adversity. They accompany us on our first day of college and critique our clothing before a first date. Stuffed animals keep your pillow company when you are away and make the tears fade when you return. They also help you to remember the very special moments throughout your life. When you send one of these “friends” enclosed in a gift basket, for some, you are also sending a powerful memory. It is something to hold onto, as well as a daily reminder of their gift and the special occasion for which it was received.
The Brief History of the Stuffed Animal
In case you ever wondered about the first stuffed animals in the world, the 1830s saw the emergence of handmade cloth dolls filled with straw. Before synthetic materials replaced the straw insides of these toy animals, early examples of the “stuffed animal” was nothing more than a form of taxidermy created from hunted specimens. This can be seen throughout ancient Egyptian tomb art. In 1880, Germany’s Steiff Company began the commercial manufacture of stuffed animals, and are often credited as being the first.
Teddy Bears
If you are willing to search, there is the perfect teddy bear waiting to be given as a gift. Some of the most commonly purchased bears have been fashioned for specific holidays (Valentine’s Day, Christmas and Easter). These personable, furry critters are often designed with their own unique style and flair. Today, teddy bears can easily match a variety of interests and hobbies, such as fishing and golf. Through the type of clothing a teddy bear wears, he or she can be transformed into a fireman, police officer or elementary school teacher. The possibilities are endless.
The Brief History of the Teddy Bear
Whichever legend you have heard, the stuffed toy bear dragged about by almost every child at some point in their life, involves former U.S. President, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. One of the popular tales surrounding the birth of the teddy bear places Roosevelt at a hotel in Colorado. After a disappointing day of hunting, hotel employees attempted to bring a smile to his face by making a stuffed bear from bits and pieces of material. When Roosevelt finally nabbed a bear for himself, his daughter dubbed it “Teddy,” which eventually became common use. In 1903, a Brooklyn store began displaying stuffed bears in their window. It is said they had received written permission from the President to name them “Teddy’s bears.”
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