Oh So Cuddly Stuff Puts Huggability to the Test

By Emmi Kern

A poll taken a few years ago showed that stuffed toys (also known as stuffies and plushies) have become better sellers than most other types of toys. This is due in part to the rising popularity of stuffed animals that come with additional features, like interactive sounds or access to websites where kids can play with animated versions of their plushies. While technology has done a lot to help push stuffed animals back into must-have territory, there’s still a soft spot in most kids’ hearts for the classic plush pal.

Many kids have dozens of stuffed toys. Parents, grandparents and others purchase these loveable plush gifts for the children in their lives because they’re a quick and easy gift choice. While kids usually enjoy having multiple stuffies to decorate their rooms, not every stuffed toy reaches the level of being “that special toy”; the one the child takes to bed each night and takes along on trips; the one that gives comfort during scary experiences and stands the test of time.

So what makes a stuffed toy special? It’s not always easy to say; sometimes a kid just seems to have a certain chemistry with a toy, even when there’s seemingly little that sets it apart. There is, however, one common thread that seems to run through all favorite toys, and that’s the cuddle factor. The toy should have soft fuzzy fur and plentiful (but not too plentiful) high-quality stuffing.

Oh So Cuddly Stuff is a company that wants their toys to be those special ones in every child’s toy box. The company is fairly new –– toy designers Mark Davies and David Dalton founded it in 2011. They believe that the perfect stuffed toy begins with the softest, most huggable materials, and they pay close attention to details, including stitching and feature placement, so the look is handmade and high quality.

Each toy has a distinctive look and the expressive faces that kids tend to love. The style is somewhat old-fashioned and the characters are for the most part classic –– the floppy-eared rabbit, the curly lamb, and of course, the soft brown bear. Each toy is “cuddle-tested” at the company’s Maine headquarters, and when the plush passes the test, it receives a little cross on its tummy.

If shoppers are looking for cute gifts that will turn into beloved keepsakes kids will cherish, check in on www.ohsocuddlystuff.com