Comments on: Won't you help me with my Teddy Bear

Question: Won't you help me with my Teddy Bear

jadepearl — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:17:14 -0800

Calling all aunts, uncles and parents: Need recommendations on teddy bears that can handle a LOT of love from a child and can be passed on later to the next generation

Thanks to the green I found someone to repair the husband's childhood bear, which will be given to one child to love, however that leaves child 2 and potentially 3 nothing to love and give their children. So recommendations on finding a bear that can be loved a lot; be repairable and made of very good materials that can endure. If you have other "lovies" to suggest that would be fine as long as they fit the criteria. Thanks all.

By: banannafish

banannafish — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:22:05 -0800

I have a Steiff bear that belonged to my Grandmother in Germany, then was passed on to my mother, and she passed it on to me. It looks very well loved, but it still looks like a bear.

By: goml

goml — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:28:31 -0800

Seconding Steiff. They are peerless in the teddy world.

By: ericb

ericb — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:39:58 -0800

Thirding Steiff.

By: tastybrains

tastybrains — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:04:33 -0800

I have a Steiff Paddington Bear but he is stiff and his fur is scratchy, and always has been. He's still around though.

My favorite bear ever from childhood is my mushy, smushy Gund bear, I think the type is called Snuffles (a chubby looking polar bear). He's still in great shape after being smothered and snuggled during a somewhat emotional childhood and nights of being scared of the dark.

By: wuzandfuzz

wuzandfuzz — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:18:57 -0800

I was going to say Snuffles, the Gund bear as well! Mine was white, and is now pretty gray, but he did travel the world with me so that's to be expected. He's been through many washes and is still as huggable as ever. They're ultra-soft and, shhh, don't tell anyone, but they make a really good under-the-neck pillow as an adult. ;)

By: goml

goml — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:39:14 -0800

Ooh, ooh. I forgot about GUND! Good call!
I always liked Ty plushies too, but I don't think they are made for the long haul.
Steiff = longest lasting
Gund = softest
Ty = cutest

By: pupdog

pupdog — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:59:07 -0800

Great options, also you might think about Vermont Teddy Bear - lots of customization options, pretty well made, and a lifetime 'health care' plan. As cheesy as it sounds on their website, there really is a Bear Hospital at the factory (which you can visit and tour), with little ladies sitting there stitching up bears that have suffered severe injuries.

By: Wolfdog

Wolfdog — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 15:06:33 -0800

I spent some time looking for The Very Best Fox I Could Find, and that turned out to be this one. They do bears, too, but particularly if you want to think about a critter other than a classic bear they're worth a look.

By: kmennie

kmennie — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:43:28 -0800

Another for Steiff; one's about to go to its 3rd generation here (without looking it).

By: Zosia Blue

Zosia Blue — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:50:34 -0800

Any GUND bear, definitely. I'm 26, and still have a GUND bear I had since birth.

By: fuse theorem

fuse theorem — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 18:23:44 -0800

I recommend GUND as well. I have a teddy bear that's over 20 years old, plus a virtual zoo of other GUND stuffed animals that have survived the friendliness of several cats.

By: melissam

melissam — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 18:41:27 -0800

I have a 21 year old Gund bear. I have Steiffs in great condition too, but they were so expensive that we didn't play with them much.

By: Margalo Epps

Margalo Epps — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 19:07:21 -0800

I have my old teddy bear saved for my baby daughter. My dad made it when I was very young. There are probably patterns out there if someone wants to make one.

By: snafu

snafu — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 19:34:59 -0800

Another vote for the Gund Snuffles bears. I still get them for special occasions from my husband, but my favorite one is the oldest (and it clearly looks like it's been loved a lot).

By: realjanetkagan

realjanetkagan — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 22:42:34 -0800

Whatever teddy bear you get, get two of them --- identical. That way they can be swapped off when one winds up in the mud and needs a good washing. I've no idea why you think a teddy bear should be passed on to "a next generation." Every kid needs his or her own, to love from brand new 'til tattered and torn and unstuffed and, at last, abandoned. (Whereupon it gets put in a box in the basement or the attic to be found by the kid when he or she's in college and treasured all over again.) And, by the way, it needn't be a teddy bear.

By: BrotherCaine

BrotherCaine — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:27:09 -0800

I had a Steiff as a child and it is in pristine condition, both because I took care of my toys, and because it is the least cuddly stuffed animal I've ever seen. I did like to look at it though.

By: Wilder

Wilder — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:08:10 -0800

you cannot go wrong with Steiff.

By: tastybrains

tastybrains — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 07:22:34 -0800

Wolfdog - Just wanted to say thanks for that link. I'm always on the lookout for quality stuffed moose.