Lions, tigers and bears, oh my! These are just some of the options for a fluffy, stuffed companion. For decades, stuffed animals have been an important part of many people’s childhoods, and that has yet to change. In fact, this love for stuffed animals is extending into adolescence and even adulthood.
“Stuffed animals don’t have an age limit. They can bring comfort and joy to anyone, no matter how old you are,” says Senior Jordan Keener.
Beginning as gifts or rewards for good behavior, collecting stuffed animals typically starts at an early age. At that time, they represent a safety net or a companion. As their owner grows up, so does their meaning.
Senior Alisabeth Bushko says, “When I was younger, stuffed animals were a form of comfort for me but as I’ve grown older, they’ve become symbols of happy memories.”
Sometimes, stuffed animal collections simply remain as a reminder of youth, but, for some people, that collection continues to grow through the years.
Comfort can sprout early on for many stuffed animal owners, leaving lasting bonds and unique experiences for almost anyone.
Keener expresses, “My most significant stuffed animal is a little beanie skeleton bear named Beary. He was a Halloween stuffed animal, but for some reason, my three-year-old self instantly bonded with him. I’ve had him for as long as I can remember, and he’s followed me through every stage of growing up.”
While Keener loves her stuffed animal Beary, Senior Reese Ramey explains, “I think that the most significant stuffed animal I own is a Ty dog. It is significant because I have had it for as long as I can remember. I have moved many times and through all of it, it is one of the only stuffed animals from my childhood that I still have.”
The stuffed animal craze seems to stem from nostalgia. When times get tough, sometimes the best thing to do is cling to a meaningful memory with an old – stuffed – friend.
