When my kids were little I would always buy them a special Christmas teddy bear. They loved them, but secretly, I don’t think that was my first reason for buying them. (Shhhh! Don’t tell, but It was because I have never stopped loving the huggable, cute, and furry, little teddy bears on holiday store shelves.)
I am fairly sure that is the explanation.
Beloved by many, it is no wonder that the teddy bear has become a theme in Christmas decor. This is post to explore trivia, and the odd holiday, besides the part these little bruins play as Christmas gifts, tree ornaments and general Noel festivity.
Of course, those adorable teddies were loved, quite literally at times, to death! Not all made it to the child’s adulthood.
… And even our dogs loved the teddy bears, apparently, since while gardening I dug one up that had carefully been buried. I know just the culprit who did it, since he was notorious for burying socks and other such things in my flower beds.
Teddy bears to match every taste
Brown, white, pink, funny, cute, realistic… they have diversity.
The trouble with teddies is that there are so many to choose from. One reason I like the brand name types is that they are often made of higher quality materials, with better workmanship. My littlest children were given bears that were made especially for babies, and were washable. That feature is a big plus for toddlers, believe me.
Washables For Babies
I think all these bears have darling personalities and could become especially endeared to little children who own them.
My husband still has a Teddy that was his when he was very young -pre-school age! It is faded and worn, but he still looks at it with fond memories. No, it doesn’t go to bed with him anymore, but holds a place in his heart. That is the power that a Teddy Bear can have on a child’s heart.
What to Look for in a Stuffed Animal Gift
Check for safety features like stitched eyes and strong seams. Button eyes may be swallowed if they come loose, so make sure such features are securely attached. Pay attention to the fill, since pellets are another material inappropriate for very young children. Double stitched seams are more durable.
Two categories of gift-giving:
Collecting Teddies – Teddy Bears
Perhaps you already collect them, and that is why you were drawn to this page. Or after seeing the many types of adorable bears you are thinking of making them an item for your own hobby? You could find lots of different forms to interest you.
Some people just collect one type of teddy bear, like the pandas or the polar bear types, others just collect little statures of them, but children always like the cuddly, real thing: a plump stuffed plush bear.
A few things to look for when buying stuffed toys for a collector makes a difference from gifts for children.
When purchasing a collectible:
- authenticity
- condition
- maker’s mark
- labels
- wear and tear
A helpful book on collecting is ‘Teddy Bears Past and Present: A Collector’s Identification Guide’ by Linda Mullins
About Paddington
Readers were introduced to Paddington on October 13th, 1958 when the book ” A Bear Called Paddington ” was published. Written by Michael Bond, he turned out to be a resounding success. Twenty-nine books full of his adventures became favorites of children everywhere, but especially in Britain.
He has a distinctive old blue hat, a coat, and a suitcase. And as he was discovered in London Paddington station, he thus received his name. If you would like to read the books, here is a link to Amazons listings.
Doesn’t Paddington look like he would love to go home with you?
It is always fun to add an actual stuffed story character to a gift of the books. Another famously beloved set of books are the Pooh adventures.
Classic Pooh Bear
Winnie-the-Pooh has been a favorite teddy bear for generations. Starting out as a real toy, he traveled into the hearts of many through the familiar and beloved stories and drawings, only to make the circle back to becoming a toy for children to love and hold and imagine with. It’s rather like the actual journey inside some of the most loved of the stories… Pooh always seems to go ’round and ’round.
What day is it?
"It's today," squeaked Piglet.
"My favorite day," said Pooh.
You MUST have the classic A.A.Milne Books
Pooh and his friends have been so popular that almost all of them come as stuffed animals. But it must be said that Pooh is the quintessential Teddy Bear. At least to me, he is. He is certainly one of the cutest and most endearing ones, with the form and face taken from the illustrations of Ernest H Shepard.
Original Winnie The Pooh
Quotes from Winnie-the-Pooh
“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.”
– A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
“Sometimes,’ said Pooh, ‘the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”
“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
–Christopher Robin to Pooh”
Reading the quotes from the stories is a reminder why we loved these books so much and why they remain a classic teddy bear tale. I think these books, along with Beatrix Potter stories belong on every single library shelf for children to read and have read to them.
Gund makes Cuddly, Cute Teddy Bears
Teddy Bear Picnic Day
Is it July 10th? Then it is Teddy Bear Picnic Day! Time to pack up that Teddy and yummy picnic and go to the park.
November 16th is “Have a Party With Your Teddy Bear Day”
Yes, another teddy bear holiday. I tell you- they are some of the most beloved toys ever. One reason to give a small child this as a gift rather than some lame robot toy that breaks right away. ( I do have a family story….) Anyway, back to the actual plot: how this became another odd holiday.
Teddy Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, gave the “teddy bear his name. Political cartoonist Clifford K. Berryman drew the bear of a widely reported event during one of Roosevelt’s bear hunts to make it a cuddly cub. Viola- the teddy bear toys were born.
A man who owned a small novelty and candy store in Brooklyn, New York, made the first official teddy bear toy. At least that is how the story goes….
There was a craze for “Roosevelt Bears” , so much so that ladies carried them everywhere, while children were often photographed holding them. [1]
Teddy bears are also among the most popular gifts for Valentine’s Day and other holidays.
Bears All Dressed Up For Christmas
Darling, and and dressed up in their holiday best
I buy teddy bears for almost any occasion, and although I favor Christmas time ( because my grandparents always sent stuffed animals to me at that holiday), Valentine’s Day offers some darling dressed up bears and teddy bears; and hearts just seem to go together.
Teddy Bear Ornament – oh, joy :)
homemade teddy bear ornamentA wonderful Christmas craft – little pompom teddies inside walnut beds
We still hang them on our tree each year, and it was so much fun for the kids of ages ( and I had the full range, believe me).
They are so simple that even little ones can make them, although they may not look perfect, but that can be part of their charm. It was such a good memory that I want to share them here.
From a site on the internet we printed the directions, I went to Hobby Lobby and bought the supplies, and we were off! We made them during one afternoon.
Make way for polar bears- but only the nice ones like a stuffed huggable polar bear friend.
They are bears, after all.
Anyway, enough of such sad stories… this is a celebration of the beloved Teddy Bear. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
These Bears Have Their Own Holiday
Do you celebrate funny, weird, little known holidays? Then maybe you already knew about Teddy Bear day. If this is the first you have heard of it, it might be a good one to put on the calender for a surprise little teddy bear or teddy bear gift for a little person you love.
Cutest Christmas Teddy Bears To Love
Christmas is my favorite holiday. I have collected traditions, decorations, and recipes to make it fun and festive. I want to share the joy.
Updated on December 16, 2016