How to Throw a Charming Teddy Bears Picnic Birthday Party!

A Teddy Bears Picnic is the perfect party theme for both boys and girls! It can be held indoors or out, in a park or in your very own backyard. The best of all it is simple and very cost effective.

Decorations: If your having the party outdoors, use the natural setting as your decoration. Set up beside a big tree for shade, cover picnic tables with gingham tablecovers and have large picnic blankets for the kids and their special friends to sit on. If you choose to have the party indoors, decorate the main party room like a forest. Cover 1 or 2 walls with butcher paper and paint on simple trees, flowers, grass, sky, clouds and some friendly birds and insects flying by. Use gingham fabric to decorate tables and lay out picnic blankets for sitting. Gather all the Teddy Bears you can find through friends and family and place them all around room. Indoors or out, helium filled balloons are always an important part of this theme. Don't forget the giant homemade "Teddy Bears Picnic" party banner!

Invitations: Find cute teddy bear scrap booking paper or use brown construction paper cut into the shape of a Teddy Bear. A cookie Cutter works great for this! Put the teddy bear picnic rhyme on the front of the invite. The teddy bear picnic rhyme goes like this..."If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise, If you go down to the woods today, you'd better go in disguise, For ev'ry bear that ever there was will gather there for certain, because today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic." On the inside of the invite, using your computer, print out the party information. Cut and paste if your not printing right on to the invitation. Use some cute clipart to dress up the inside party information. Be sure to request that every child bring their favourite teddy bear.

Craft: Before the party, make each child a set of Furry Bear Ears. The ears can be made with a brown furry material or brown felt. Make a template of an oval approximately 6" long by 3 1/2 inches wide. You need 2 ovals per set. Trace onto material and cut out oval shapes. Fold the ovals in half lengthwise around an inexpensive hair band and affix with a hot glue gun. Voila! Fuzzy Bear Ears!

Guest arrival: When the guests arrive, paint on them a perfect little black bear nose and give them their very own Fuzzy Bear Ears to wear. Adorable! While waiting for everyone to arrive, have a small activity set up like teddy bear colouring pages. When all guests are accounted for, start out the days activities by sitting on the picnic blanket and have everyone introduce their Bear. Then read the classic children's book "Teddy Bears Picnic" to get everyone in the mood.

Lunch: Make Picnic Baskets for the guests attending. Purchase inexpensive wicker baskets at your local dollar store or craft store. Dress up the baskets by hot gluing red & white gingham fabric to the inside of basket. Lunch is to be served in the baskets including a plate, napkin and utensils. The kids will feel so special when the receive their special pre-packed lunch in their own beautiful basket. After lunch, their basket doubles as their "loot bag" for all the items they will collect on their "Bear Hunt." The lunch baskets can consist of Honey and Peanut Butter Sandwiches cut with a teddy bear shaped cookie cutter, a juice box, a fruit cup and of course a pack of teddy graham cookies. A neat idea for dessert is to make paw print cupcakes. Using your favourite cake flavor and your child's favourite colour for icing, make little paw prints using 1 junior mint and 4 upside down chocolate chips. To cute!

Games: Bear Hunt - Proceed just like you would on an Easter Egg Hunt. Even use those plastic eggs and fill with candy and trinkets. To make it more Teddy Bear like, decorate the Eggs with a Bear sticker or draw on a Bear paw print with a black sharpie. You can let them go and find anything or you could colour co-ordinate so every child gets the same amount. For example, Sally finds and gathers the pink eggs, John finds and gathers the blue..so on. You can also use shapes coloured on the eggs for definition. Squares, triangles, hearts, stars - anything a toddler can recognize. With help of course! Another fun game to play just before the party winds down is "Is that your Bear?" Have the kids sit in a circle with all their Bears piled in the middle. The birthday child will go first. They are to put on a blindfold and when they are ready, they are presented with 3 bears, one of which is their own. Through touch they are challenged to figure out which Bear belongs to them. Perfect for toddlers!

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http://www.partycanada.blogspot.com - More great party planning ideas!

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Who is Teddy Bear?

There is nothing like a Teddy Bear!

Since his existence, he has brought pleasure, serenity, and comfort to children and people of all ages worldwide. A Teddy Bear is very special, because he is more than a toy - he is a companion. He has wonderful qualities, he consoles when needed, he has compassion when required, and he knows everything about us including our deepest thoughts. He is our most intimate friend! Did you ever feel like that about your Teddy Bear? I am sure you did, we all did! How can a stuffed bear, although cute and cuddly bring so much pleasure and happiness to our lives? Let's look at some of Teddy's origins.

It is well known that the name "Teddy" originates from Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States of America 1901-1909, who was referred to as Teddy by the public. There are numerous stories of how the Teddy Bear received the President's name. One story refers to a Mississippi bear-hunting trip where villagers wishing to please the President captured a bear for him to shoot, however, the President flatly refused. He drew a line, as this was not fair hunting sportsmanship. This encounter became a famous cartoon story by Clifford Berryman under the title of "Drawing the Line in Mississippi." The cartoon caught very wide attention, which eventually led to the Teddy Bear and its name. Another story suggests that the staff of Hotel Colorado wanted to cheer-up President Roosevelt during a hunting trip with a gift. They presented him with a small stuffed bear made by the housekeeping employees. His daughter, Alice, liked the bear and gave it the name Teddy.

Based on my findings, it seems that Teddy was born around 1902, but this was not just a US birth. Coincidentally, at the Steiff Company in Giengen an der Brenz, Baden Württemberg in Germany, the owner Margarete Steiff, produced stuffed animal toys. Her nephew Richard Steiff was an artist who drew animal pictures for the stuffed animal toy production of the company. In 1902, Richard visited the Stuttgart Zoo and made a sketch of a bear cub. The company started production of his design and the German (Teddy) bear was born. How wonderful sometimes coincidences work. Was it destiny to remember internationally a great President throughout the ages with this divine toy? In 1903, at the Leipzig Toy Fair Steiff sold 3000 bears to an American toy merchant and by 1907 the Steiff Company sold 974,000 bears. Whatever the stories are, the fact remains that the Teddy Bear became a famous and beloved toy ever since the time of President Theodore Roosevelt. A nice long stretch!

The bear market is still going strong to this day. Teddy Bears or stuffed bears in general are here to stay for generations to come. It is interesting to know that in some families Teddy Bears have become heirloom pieces. Did you know that bear collectors are called arctophiles? The word derives from the Greek language "arcto" meaning bear and "philos" meaning lover. Bears are not just a toy for children, bears are also used as mascots by many organizations or as corporate gifts and uncountable other special uses. There are also Teddy Bear Clubs and some organizations even have annual conventions to celebrate these lovable keepsakes.

Teddy Bear has reached its 106th Birthday, that is a good old ripe age, but we all know he will live forever.

Tina Nyary, researched a beloved stuffed animal toy, the Teddy Bear. Stuffed teddy bears are without a doubt one of the most adored stuffed animal toys.

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Teddy Bears Appear On All Kinds Of Products And Collectables - You Could Fill Your House With Them

Teddy bears appear on all kinds of products, from wallpaper to slippers. You can decorate your whole house with bears, wear teddy bear slippers and sleep in teddy bear sheets. You can buy chocolate teddies, cereals promoted with teddy bears and bears have even appeared on some laundry products! But this isn't just a modern craze. Teddy-decorated china appeared almost as early as the first bears themselves. Early examples are highly prized by collectors since the fragile nature of their materials means that few have survived in good condition, and complete sets are very rare. Some modern makers of limited-edition bears also offer bear-sized accessories for their special bears. And of course, we're all familiar with images of Pooh Bear and Paddington being used across a whole range of items.

Various other materials have been formed into bear shapes over the last century or so. Early 20th century wooden carvings of bears - often called Black Forest Bears - after the region of Southern Germany where they were made, are very popular with collectors. Some were intended purely for use as ornaments, but others were made into useful objects, ranging in size from pincushions to coat stands.

Silver teddy bears were once used to adorn christening gifts such as teething rings or rattles, and bears also appear on silver spoons and egg cups, also popular christening presents. Early examples again are particularly sought after, and the hallmarking system means that they can be accurately dated.

Postcards featuring bears have also been around almost as long as the teddy himself, and an enormous number have been published. These could once be obtained extremely cheaply, but prices have soared in recent years. Luckily for bear-lovers everywhere, larger numbers of new cards continue to appear at collectable prices, most recently from DevonBear Designs, who offer a whole set of bear-ish images. We also offer bears on e-cards if you want to send other bear-lovers some great English bear images, absolutely free!

Old adverts and packaging - ephemera - are also very collectable, and even modern items can be grouped together very effectively to create a talking point. Think about Rupert Bear and Sooty, Paddington and Pooh to name just a few. Other collectable items with a bear theme include decorated toffee or biscuit tins and the metal buckets that many will remember from seaside holidays of days gone by.

Whenever bears appear on items, you can be sure that someone somewhere will have started a collection. But for real bear-lovers, the only problem is deciding where to begin - and also when to stop!

Helen Dickson is the owner of DevonBear Designs. She designs and makes a small range of really practical - and pretty - textile items and stationery all inspired by the wonderful coast and countryside of South Devon, England. Helen is a talented watercolour artist and all DevonBear Designs products feature one of her images. Visit her site at http://www.devonbeardesigns.com

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10 Steps For Caring For Your Teddy Bear

1. Check your teddy bear over to see if their is a washing instructions label. Some synthetic bears can actually be machine washed on the most gentle cycle. Do not wash with other colored clothes or items. Using a mesh bag to put the bear in is not a bad idea. I would not use much detergent if any but maybe a little fabric softener would be a nice touch. Allow it to air dry. Do not put in dryer or use a hair dryer. Machine washing is not something that would be recommended for antiques or real old or fragile teddies. Remember that bears that talk or make sounds probably have a device inside them that may get ruined if machine washed.

2. Let me say that for the next steps "patience" is a must. For a really dirty teddy bear the human instinct is to get some strong cleaner and put it in a spray bottle and spray and scrub the heck out of it. While this may get some good results some times, it may also ruin certain fabrics by changing color, texture, and overall appearance of the teddy bear.

3. For the many teddy bears that are not machine washable, The material of an old teddy bear is really not much different than the care you would give to an antique piece of upholstery or tapestry. Brush gently with a soft brush to loosen particular dust and soil. Carefully vacuum it by putting cheese cloth or using a nylon over the vacuum head of your vacuum tool to remove loose soil.

4.Using a clean damp cloth (warm water only-no soap as soap tends to leave a residue that can cause quick re-soiling) wipe down the teddy bears fur. You'll be surprised how much soil can be removed with simply wiping down the bear. This should help restore some of the shine and brighten the color like it had when it was newer.

5.If teddy is severely soiled you may have to repeat this process 2-3 times to get as much soil removed as possible. Do not soak the teddy bear. If you have to, allow it to air dry then repeat the process.

6. The next step is allowing the teddy bear to air dry. It is best to lightly brush the teddy bear's fur before it dries, so that the nap is all laying in the same direction (usually laying down) . If you let it dry first before you brush it it may change the texture and appearance and you may not be able to get it back after it's dry.

7. At times a little mending may be needed.

8. Don't forget to hug them at least once a day.

9. Make sure to allow as many kids as possible to admire and maybe hold them. Teddy Bears love children.

10. For teddy bears that don't get used much and maybe sit on a shelf for a long time, you can either buy a case to put them in or you can use a large clear zip lock bag or freezer bag and slip on over the bear's head & body. This allows you to still see the bear but will help keep the dust and dirt for getting them dirty.

Hopefully some of these tips have helped you care for your teddy bears. Remember the older and more antique the teddy bear the more caution and care needs to be used.

Bruce Simmons is a Teddy Bear Designer for "Mainely Bears Collectable Teddy Bear Gifts" checkout some of the different designs at [http://teddy-gift.com]

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Teddy Bears - Stuffed Toy Or Best Friend?

Teddy bears have been a symbol of affection, love and cuddles, in excess of a century. They are often given away at carnivals as prizes. It's the one possession that children feel safe with at night time when they go to sleep. Teddy bears are a source of comfort and warmth. Try taking away their teddy bear from a young child and be prepared for tears!

Of course, there have been many famous bears throughout time. Who can forget Winnie The Pooh, Fozzie the Bear from The Muppet Show, The Care Bears, Sooty the teddy bear glove puppet, Humphrey Bear, Baloo in Jungle Book, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Paddington Bear, Rupert the Bear, Smokie the Bear and Yogi Bear? We have all grown up with these lovable characters. We have been taught by them, laughed at them, and admired them. Who hasn't heard the famous song "Teddy Bears Picnic" That song has been around since 1907!

Some Famous People and their Teddy Bears

Perhaps the most famous bear story is in the origins of the teddy bear name. It has been commonly reported that the teddy bear got its name from President Teddy Roosevelt when he refused to shoot a bear cub, which had been chained to a tree for him by his hosts, who wanted to make sure he was successful during a hunting trip. Some other famous personalities have had their very own teddy bears. Elvis had a teddy bear called Mabel when he was a child. It sold for $75,000 at auction. In 1989 a Steiff bear sold for $88,000 in a Sotheby's London auction! Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean had "Teddie" which featured often during the series. Donald Campbell, the world record breaking land and water champion took his "Mr Whoppit" bear along with him on record attempts. Aviation pioneers Alcock and Brown took their teddy bear mascots with them on their record breaking first non-stop Atlantic flight in 1919.

Ask any adult what their favourite toy was and they will probably tell you it was a stuffed toy, and a large percentage of those will certainly say, "my teddy bear". While there are many different types of toys on the market today, the teddy bear still remains a strong favourite for many children. In fact, eBay reports that on any day there are over a staggering 20,000 teddy bears up for auction!

Brian Parkin is an ex Geordie (from Newcastle, England) who now lives in Brisbane, Australia and currently operates an online store promoting personalised gifts. To learn more about personalised gifts, particularly personalised teddy bears, please visit Parkin's Patch at http://www.parkinspatch.com

For further information, you can contact Brian via email at brianparkin@parkinspatch.com

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Ganz Teddy Bears - A Collectible

The charm of a Ganz teddy bear is both straightforward and awesome. They were originally created in the 1950s, and are still being made today. These teddy bears give you a shoulder to cry on, and love you unconditionally. Sometimes, if you listen closely, they will tell you "take me home." The love affair between us and these Ganz teddy bears shows no signs of slowing down.

Often used to calm and reassure children, this is an enduring and traditional stuffed animal. The price of these teddy bears has recently increased as they have become collector's items. It is very hard to picture a world that didn't have the Ganz teddy bears to provide a listening ear and a warm hug to both young and old.

The teddy bear has been a part of the world for a long time. The history of the teddy bear began in the year 1902. Not only did it make its entrance into the United states that year, but also made its entrance in Germany.

In the United States, the teddy bear got its name from a cartoon featuring Theodore Roosevelt. In the early 1900s, society woman liked to carry these bears around with them and kids had photos taken with their cuddly friends. U.S. toy makers were creating bears of all different sizes and styles, including roller skating teddies and ones with eyes that lit up. However, our firms had to deal with lots of competition from German bear makers, so quite a few of them went out of business.

The German tradition of toy making is legendary and the creation of fine teddy bears was made famous by companies like Bing, Schuco, and Hermann, combined with Steiff. This laid the groundwork for an innovative kind of mass-produced bear - the artist-designed manufactured bear. Currently this type of bear is sold by Ganz and it gives collectors the chance to own an artist-designed bear that is less expensive because it is mass produced.

A lot of outfits and clothes for teddy bears are also available. You can learn making personal teddy bears online or by purchasing books meant for that purpose. Everyone certainly needs the teddy bear's gift of unconditional acceptance, love, and reassurance more than ever.

Teddy bears have been a favorite toy since the beginnings of the twentieth century. Teddy bears were developed at about the same time in both America and Germany. In America, the toys were based on a cartoon involving President Theodore Roosevelt, and became a favorite of society women. In Germany, artist designed bears were available from various manufacturers, and included a high level of detail and customization. Children love teddy bears and ganz teddy bears are high quality examples of these toys. Online shoppers have the pleasure of making personal teddy bears and buying outfits and clothes for teddy bears.

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Our Love For Those Wonderful Teddy Bears

Teddy bears have been around for a long time. In reality it has been well over 100 years since we came to know teddy bears. The beauty of it is that teddy bears have come in all shapes and sizes, various colors and personalities. They have become a staple of childhood toys and they hold a spot in all of our hearts.

Books have been written about various teddy bears and stories have been told. Some teddy bears have even made it onto the movie and TV screen.

Winnie the Pooh Bear is infamous for his many adventures and his friends. Winnie, along with Christopher Robin, Rabbit, Tigger, Owl, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, and Roo live a very interesting life in the hundred acre wood.

We certainly would not want to forget Paddington Bear. This adorable little teddy bear comes from darkest Peru but now lives with Brown family at 32 Windsor Gardens. Paddington is very intelligent and has set opinions about what is right and what is wrong, and he is happy to tell you about his views. He is known for saying, "Things happen to me. I'm that sort of bear." This is a feeling that most of us can relate to. Paddington is also fond of saying, "It just wouldn't work", which is adorable in a teddy bear but not so much in a human.

In recent times The Care Bears were discovered. They rapidly gained popularity. Each Care Bear teddy bear has a message a message and a lesson to teach us about how we should conduct our lives. They come in various colors and sizes and each Care Bear has a personal motif on their tummies and a personal motto they dedicate their lives to. These bears have starred in their own movies and TV series.

There is a comic strip in a London newspaper about a mischievous teddy bear named Rupert. The comic strips have even been compiled to form books, called Annuals.

Not only have many teddy bears been featured in animated series and movies but several have had poetry written about them. With the many TV stations designed for children teddy bears are almost always in the spotlight.

Yogi and Boo-Boo have been in our lives for a long, long time. And we would not want to forget about Smokey as we warned us about forest fires.

But perhaps the teddy bears that deserve the most recognition are those that live with us. They can bring comfort to a sick or scared child and they can bring a smile to our day. If you do not have a special teddy bear in your life you are missing out on a comforting friend that wants nothing more than to see you happy.

If you are a teddy bear collector or you simply love teddy bears you will want to visit the following site: http://www.TeddyBearWebsite.com You will find lots of information about teddy bears and teddy bear products. Check it out!

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Collectible Teddy Bears

Teddy bears bridge the gap between young and old collectors as well as ladies and gentlemen. They light up the world as a symbol of the innocence and magic of childhood and the special warmth of love. They will steal your heart and brighten your life. Teddy Bears are one of the most collectible items around the world. They are popular with children, obviously, but also with adult collectors who build on their childhood friends and often invest in limited editions or bears made from prized designs and rare materials.

Collectible

What makes Collectible Teddy Bears so special, is their quality, unique designs, and the fact that they usually are not mass produced. In other words limited numbers are available. Sometimes it's simply because they are old and rare. Collectible Teddies make excellent teddy-bear gifts and teddy-bear presents for a girlfriend, mother, or grandma for Mothers Day, Christmas, birthday, Valentines Day, anniversary's or any other occasion. Whether you are a collector looking for that special teddy bear or just looking for a unique gift or present for someone you love. Collectible Teddy Bears ooze with personality and beautiful unique designs. This is what makes Teddy Bears such a popular collectible item, not only are the outfits different, but in many cases they are numbered in sequence. All Artist's Teddy-Bears are unique, collectible, and in some cases "one-of-a-kind". These Collectible teddy bears are generally for collectors only and should not be given to young children.

Gifts

Teddy Bears make beautiful  gifts on any occasion or simply as a special treat for yourself. They are also a symbol of memory, a gift of love, and especially designed to have extra "huggable quality". Many gift orders receive a free, personalized gift card during checkout, making your internet shopping perfect for mom, dad, a grandparent, or any loved one needing a perfect gift to cheer them up or tell them you care. So, whether you are giving this as a birthday gift, for Valentine's Day, to wish someone well, or just to make someone smile, you can always express your love with a Soft Cuddly Teddy Bear.

Personalized

If you need a Teddy gift, many companies will personalize your bear for you with special accessories to customize them for your particular need and a special message card of some kind to enclose a personal message. Some companies also offer embroidery options for people's names or messages. A perfect way to say thank you, congratulations, or "I Love You" with a gift message for any celebration. A personalized message will make the gift very special to your loved one.

Summary

A teddy bear can be a constant life-long companion, listening to and keeping secrets, and silently offering comfort whenever it is needed. Since teddy bears first appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century, people have cuddled them for comfort, kept them for luck, and given them as a symbol of love on a special occasion. Many have built up fantastic collections of limited edition bears over the years.

Teddies have always held a slice of many a romantics heart. They are so much a part of growing up in America that few of us can imagine a childhood without a stuffed bear. Even grown-ups can't resist the appealing glint in a teddy's eye or smile on it's face. Teddy Bears have been around for generations and are well loved by young and old. They have been a cherished, lovable toy for decades. I hope you find that one special Teddy Bear that you've been searching for in your collection. It seems there's always room for 1 more.

Bruce Simmons is a Teddy Bear Designer for "Mainely Bears Collectable Teddy Bear Gifts" to see some of his work go to [http://teddy-gift.com]

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Buy Cheap Steiff Antique Teddy Bears

Collectors fancy Steiff Antique Teddy Bears because of the history of the toys. It all started in 1877 when a Felt mail order company started in Giengen, Germany. They manufactured felt garments.

Because of the success of the felt elephant pin cushions, toy production started in 1880.

The first Steiff teddy bears were made in 1892. The first designs were bears that were placed on iron wheels. These were sold in stores in 1893. The stuffed toy design of the bears that Steiff manufactured began in 1902.

The company eventually registered as the Felt Toy Co. By 1904, Margarete and Richard Steiff, the pair behind Steiff, were awarded the Gold Medals for their effort in the industry which was introducing Steiff teddy bears in the market.

The concept of the button in the ear was made in 1905. For any collector of Steiff antique teddy bears, getting these bears with the Steiff trademark was a jewel to their collection.

The earlier versions, the better. These bears go back 1892. The style of these Steiff antique teddy bears either stand on hind legs or they are down on all fours.

There are also designs that come with four wheels. The limbs of the early Steiff antique teddy bears were somehow rigid. When the moving joints were developed, Steiff adapted these to their designs.

The first ever jointed teddy bear produced by Steiff was the Bar 55 PM. The number means that the bear was 55 centimeters in length and P means plush and B means beweglich which is "jointed" in German.

This bear is a replica of a real bear. The arms and the legs were attached to the bear's body through a twine that has been fastened and tied like a knot under the plush.

This was the bear that was viewed by American Herman Berg at the Leipzig Trade Fair in 1903. Berg eventually ordered 3000 of these models and brought these to America.

Richard Steiff was determined to improve the designs of his bears. These are the Steiff antique teddy bears that can be found in stores which collectors frequent.

The evolution of these bears range from limbs becoming more loose depending on the rods and wires that were used.

Disc joints were also introduced which make the limbs of the bears more movable and more human.

Discover where to buy cheap antique steiff bears online. Learn where to buy cheap collectible teddy bears at my site.

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Sending the Perfect Teddy Bear Gift to Her

Just like flowers, teddy bears are loved by women of all age. Many women love to receive a teddy as a gift, especially by their love one - even if they never tell you so. Why? Teddy bears symbolize warmth, comfort and care and always make a perfect companion on her happy days as much as the days when fortune does not seem to be on her side.

So, if you are sending a teddy bear as a gift for her, chances are you are sending the right gift. No matter if you are sending it to your daughter, mother, sister, wife or your sweetheart, you can always make your gift a perfect gift by paying special attention to these few simple details:

1. Her age

A child's life is full of imaginations. So, if you are thinking a teddy bear gift for a child, find something that is colourful, fun and magical. For example, a cute bear all dressed up as a princess can make a wonderful gift for her. Meanwhile, if you are sending the gift to a grown-up lady, a classic bear might be a better choice for you to consider.

2.Her passion

Knowing what her passion is will help you a lot in choosing the perfect teddy bear gift for her. For example, if she loves ballet a lot, a teddy in a ballet dress will make a great gift for her. You can also consider a gift based on her job that she is passionate about. Maybe she is a nurse, a doctor or a lawyer and is very passionate about the job she is doing, then, a bear dressed up in her job outfit will make a wonderful gift for your dedicated lady. Some women love teddies a lot, and have a room full of collections of teddy bears. Undoubtedly, teddies make perfect gifts for her at anytime. However, getting to know her collection is a good idea so you can choose something that she has not own, and try to avoid giving the same teddy bear you've already given before.

3.The occasion

Nowadays, stuffed bears are designed in many ways so they suit any occasion you are planning to give your special gift for. For example, if you are sending a teddy bear gift as a birthday gift, a bear with a colourful birthday hat and a party balloon might be perfect for a child or a teenager but if you are planning to give your gift to a special grown-up lady, a bear dressed in a queen of a beauty pageant will make her feel special on her birthday.

If you are planning to give a teddy bear gift to a bride, it is a good idea to find a couple of bear that includes a bride and groom instead of only a bride bear. A wedding is a celebration for both couple anyway, isn't it?

If your gift is meant for a valentine gift or an anniversary gift, find a teddy bear that express your love to her. A bear holding a love sign or those singing a love song makes wonderful gift to show that she has a special place in your heart.

A teddy bear gift also makes a great get well gift for anyone during recovery. You can choose a teddy characterizes as a hospital patient to tell her that she is not alone and help her to cheer up during her recovery. However, if she is deeply depressed or is having problem coping up with the misfortune that happened, maybe a bear characterizes as a nurse or a doctor is a better idea to show her that you will always be there for her to look and care for her. Alternatively, there are many teddies nowadays that can actually talk and even sing to tell her not to be worried; and these also make great gift ideas to help her in her recovery.

Many times, teddy bears also make great gifts just to tell her that you are thinking of her without the need for any special occasion or a reason for you to send one.

4.Consider a card or a poem

While many associate teddies with flowers and chocolates, a simple card with a sincere wish will do just as fine to be sent together with a teddy. Alternatively, poem also makes great accompany for your teddy bear gift. For example, if you are sending your gift to your sweetheart, instead of card, flower or chocolate, write a love poem to be sent together with your bear. Maybe you are planning to send the gift to your mother, why not write a poem about a mother's sacrifice and you will definitely touch your mother's heart upon receiving your gift. If you think that you do not have the mind of a poet, you can always quote a nice poem written by someone else to express yourself in your perfect gift for her.

5.The presentation

A nice presentation will complete any perfect gift idea. A nice presentation does not mean it has to be expensive. A presentable box with a nice ribbon is enough to complete your gift. In fact, the good thing about teddy bear gifts is that, if you are unable to find a suitable box or your gift is too big to be placed in a box, teddies are so adorable that you can present them just by themselves.

Have good time sending your perfect gift and hope she will love your special gift a lot!

For more teddy bear gift idea, visit [http://www.uniqueteddybeargift.com]

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A Teddy Bear Party - Some Simple Tips

A great teddy bear party is not a difficult thing to pull of with a little creativity and some things that you can find round your house! Here are some quick ideas for making the party "beary" fun!

Invitation ideas

Buy some inexpensive rubber stamps with bear images and let your little one make

homemade invitations. Or cut a piece of cardstock into the shape of a bear and

write your invitation on that. Free clipart can be found for this purpose in many

places on the Internet. Make sure you include the request for all the guests to bring

their own bear to the party too!

Decoration ideas

When kids think of bears they usually think of honey and bees, so a big hit for

decorations is LOTS of yellow and black balloons and streamers. If possible have

various teddy bears all around the room as well to tie in the theme.

Menu ideas

When you're hosting a bear event even your menu should be centered on teddy.

Here is a cute way to turn Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches into a beary fun treat!

Spread your peanut butter and jelly onto eight whole-wheat hamburger buns. Now

the fun begins. Cut four of the eight buns in half. On a large tray or covered cookie

sheet, arrange the buns into a shape of a teddy bear. For the tummy, put one whole

bun and surround that with 4 half buns. Another whole bun becomes the head/

face, with two half buns on the topsides of the head for the ears. Two whole buns

become the legs and the final two half buns turn out off of the body to make arms.

Garnish the face/head bun with raisin eyes and a strawberry slice mouth and you've

got a bear! Use a separate tray for additional sandwiches and watch for all the

smiles! Mix some honey and yogurt together for a great dip for cut fruit and your

menu is complete!

Bear Party - Activities and craft ideas

Crafts with a bear theme abound but here are some quick ideas for your bear

birthday party. Make a paper bear chain (paper dolls) that the kids can color and

decorate. Use paper plates to make paper bear masks. Bead a bear collar

(necklace). Take a picture with all the kids and their own bears and decorate a

simple scrapbook page to honor the occasion. Decorate teddy bear cookies with

colored icing and various decorations.

Bear Party - Game ideas

Pin the honey pot on the teddy bear - if you have an artist in the family, draw a

large teddy bear on poster board and cut out honey pots. Blindfold each child

individually and see if they can put the honey pot into the teddy bear's hand.

Hot Teddy Bear - like hot potato only pass the teddy bear to the music. When the

music stops, the person with the teddy bear is out.

Toss the honey pot - draw a large bear head with an open mouth on poster board

and lay it on the floor. Using yellow beanbags as the "honey" each child throws the

bag to see if it will land in the bear's mouth.

Take home gift ideas

Purchase yellow lunch bags (available at party stores) and decorate with bee

stickers. Fill with gummy bears, teddy grahams, miniature stuffed teddy bears and

fun bear jewelry. Or if you want to go all out, hire a stuffed animal party planner to

come and have each child make their own stuffed animal as part of the party.

Annette Yen throws great birthday parties and other fun kid's events. Sign your children up for her free birthday club at http://www.funontheark.com

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New Gund Teddy Bears for Autumn 2010

In autumn 2010 Gund release a whole new range of teddy bears. There's 4 versions of Philbin, new sizes of Gaffney and Gus, and new bears Dilip, Stitchy, Wooly and Marmalade. For those that like a larger bear there are two giant versions of the popular Alfie teddy bear (XL and jumbo). So let's take a closer look at these bears.

Philbin is available in two sizes and colours, one's chocolate and the other is cream (or is it white chocolate?), their heights are 13 and 18 inches, so there's quite a noticeable size difference between the two. Philbin is easily identified by distinctive, contrasting paw pads with embroidered edges. They have quite large heads and big round tummies. Simply put, they're beautiful bears made from super soft Gund plush.

In 2009 Gund released a small version of their popular Gordy bear. Some say that the smaller version is actually a better bear, being slightly better proportioned. I think they're both extremely cute, I tend to think of the smaller bear being more suitable for a younger child (suitable for 1 year +) Gordy is a 3+ bear (based on size). At the same time Gund released two new bears, of similar size to the smaller Gordy, called Gaffney and Gus. Gaffney was a dark brown bear and Gus has a distinctive tuft on the top of his head. For autumn 2010 Gund have released larger versions of Gaffney and Gus, which are comparable in size to the larger Gordy. This teddy bear family is now complete.

Dilip is similar in some ways to the current Gordy bears. He's got chestnut brown fur, which has a nice shimmer and a cream coloured tummy. He has a very cute face, like all Gund bears and like Gordy is available in two sizes: 13" and 20".

Like the brand new bears previously mentioned (Philbin and Dilip), Stitchy is also available in two sizes (11" and 14"). He's a light brown bear, with a face that shouts "hug me". A typical Gund bear.

Wooly is the most different of any of the existing Gund range. He's a greyish brown bear with a big round ivory tummy and paw pads, with a look of a refined old chap.

Marmalade is based on the Manni range of bears, and sites in between the two existing bears (size wise), he's a darker golden brown colour, but just as cute and cuddly.

Alfie has been one of Gund's most popular bears. This year he's been super-sized. Following the discontinuation of the extremely popular range of Basil giant teddy bears (42, 46 & 80 inch), of which the 42" bear was a really great size (and value) for a ￡100 teddy. Gund have brought out 36 and 60 inch versions of Alfie. These giant teddy bears are perfect for big kids (children or adults) and may also suit businesses who need a display for a stand or something at a trade fair or even window dressing.

So if you're looking for an idea for Christmas or an upcoming birthday, I strongly recommend checking out these huggable new Gund teddy bears.

Phil Jones-Davies discovered Gund teddy bears, whilst searching for the perfect teddy bear for his eldest niece's first birthday. After choosing Sidney (Black), he started selling Gund teddy bears online at Delves Wood Bears and his nieces are in danger of being overrun by Gund teddy bears and soft toys!

http://www.delveswoodbears.co.uk

http://www.softtoys.co

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Teddy Bear History

On November 14, 1902, the 26th President of the United States, Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, went to Mississippi to settle a border dispute between Mississippi and Louisiana. While there, Roosevelt agreed to join in a bear hunt. Accustomed to a strenuous, physical hunt, he was a bit dismayed by the unfamiliar method of using packs of dogs to track and chase prey leaving the hunter to only wait for his animal

Hunting conditions proved unfavorable for the president and late into the day he still hadn't had success. Determined to find a suitable quarry for his president, guide Holt Collier set off to find him a bear. Tracking a 235 pound bear to a water hole, he clubbed it over the head and tied it to a tree. Roosevelt was then summoned to shoot the bear and claim his prize. The president was unimpressed by the bound, dazed, and bleeding bear. Saying, "Spare the bear! I will not shoot a tethered animal." He refused his prize and forbade anyone else from claiming it.

Reporters with the hunting party spread the news of Roosevelt's fair play nationwide. Among those inspired by the story was political cartoonist Clifford Berryman. Berryman drew a cartoon of the incident portraying the tethered bear sitting innocently with huge, scared eyes. The cartoon captioned "Drawing the Line in Mississippi" was featured on the front cover of The Washington Post on November 16, 1902.

The cartoon was reprinted in newspapers all over the country and Roosevelt's popularity soared. For the remainder of his political career his mascot was Teddy's Bear and Berryman continued to use it all his cartoons. It signified to the public how Roosevelt could not be swayed from doing what he thought was right. It is debatable how much of a role it played in his re-election in 1905.

As news spread of Roosevelt's adventure and Berryman's cartoon the imagination of New York toy storeowners Morris and Rose Michtom was sparked. Using Berryman's Bear as a guide, they designed a bear very unlike the toy bears available at the time. Toy bears were typically portrayed on all fours with features similar to real bears. The Michtoms new bear was sweet and cuddly, filled with excelsior stuffing and adorned with black buttons for eyes.

Rose made two of the bears and they were placed in the store's window. They became an instant success. The Michtoms then asked President Roosevelt for permission to call the bears "Teddy's Bears" and the Teddy Bear was born.

The demand for Teddy's Bears was so strong that within a year of its creation the Michtoms closed their candy store. With the help of the wholesale firm, Butler Brothers, the first teddy bear manufacturer in the United States was founded. They called it the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company. It remained a successful business and in 1938 changed its name to Ideal Toy Company.

The term Teddy Bear (without the s) first appeared in the October 1906 issue of Playthings Magazine. Soon even the Steiff Company was using it for their bears and it became the accepted term.

The teddy bear is the most popular plush toy and it's possible it's the most popular of all toys. While other toys have enjoyed their popularity and then disappeared, the teddy bear has stood the test of time. They are bought for our new babies, our friends, and our loved ones. There just doesn't seem to be an occasion where a teddy bear isn't just the right gift. We dress them up, make them musical, and treasure them as collector's pieces and beloved friends.

Sharon Lauer is a free lance writer and the marketing director for [http://www.everyoccasiongiftshop.com] and http://www.simplythebestbaskets.com. She regularly writes articles on various aspects of gifts and gift giving.

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A Teddy Bear For Everyone

The teddy bear has been in existence for over 100 years. In that time he has had books written about him. The adventures of Winnie the Pooh is a series of books written by A.A. Milne, about an adventurous teddy bear. Pooh, and his friends, Christopher Robin, Rabbit, Tigger, Owl, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga and Roo, have great adventures in the hundred acre wood.

Paddington Bear's creator, Michael Bond, has written several books about the teddy bear who comes from darkest Peru, and now resides with the brown family at 32 Windsor Gardens. Paddington is a teddy bear with both paws planted on the ground. He has strong feelings on what is right and what is wrong, and hates bureaucratic red tape. He doesn't look kindly on the sillier rules human beings surround themselves with. About his daily life Paddington says, "Things happen to me. I'm that sort of bear." Paddington may conduct himself in a human way, but he could never be human. As he is fond of saying, "It just wouldn't work."

The Care Bears Have had books written about them. Care bears are teddy bears. Each one has a message and a lesson to teach us about how we should conduct our lives. Each Care Bear has a personal motif on their tummies and a personal motto they dedicate their lives to.

Rupert, that mischievous bear who got his start as a comic strip in a London newspaper(and still appears there), has had books about him called Annuals, put together yearly, of the comic strips appearing in the paper the entire year. This has been going on for a good 50 plus years.

As far as poems go, Pooh and The Care Bears have had poetry written about them. I'm not sure about Paddington Bear and Rupert, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised.

Not only have the teddy bears mentioned above been written about and drawn, they all have their own animated television shows. Check out the listings on PBS, BBC, The Disney Channel and other station where cartoons are shown. You may also want to look for Yogi and Boo-Boo bear on Boomerang. Baloo, from The Jungle Book, has his own cartoon called Tailspins, you can find his show on some of the above mentioned cartoon stations.

Other, less famous teddy bears can be found living in houses (like Paddington Bear), Museums, stores, web sites, and factories waiting to be adopted. There are many talented teddy bear artists and manufacturers, who have brought some pretty amazing bears to life. Here are a few websites for you to check out. Be careful, you may fall in love and adopt an adorable teddy bear of your own.

If you can resist adopting even one of the teddy bears on these web sites, I commend you, you have more will power than most of us.

Nathan Romano

Find more about Teddy Bears with our online Teddy Bear Big Exclusive selection teddy-bear.bigexclusive.com [http://www.teddy-bear.bigexclusive.com]

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The Brown Teddy Bear and The Grizzly Bear

As far as this writer is concerned a brown teddy bear and a brown bear stuffed animal are not the same thing; there are brown teddy bears which sit up and have arms and legs that are human-like, and then there are brown bear plush which can stand and/or flop over on all fours like the real bear they have been designed to look like.

There has always been a lot of confusion surrounding the grizzly bear and what to call it. In North America, taxonomists have agreed that there are in fact two sub-species - the grizzly bear and the Kodiak bear. Whether or not you should call a brown bear a grizzly or a brown bear, depends on who you ask. All North American mainland brown bears are referred to by some people as grizzlies while still others call them brown bears. Some decide on what to call them based on where they live. The grizzly bear has hair tips which look "grizzled" in appearance as compared to the smaller coastal brown bears or the Kodiak sub-species.

For thousands of years, Kodiak bears have lived separately from grizzly bears on Kodiak, Afognak, and Shuyak Islands in southwestern Alaska. There has never been any inbreeding of other populations of bears. Kodiak bears are among the world's largest, quite comparable in size to the polar bear. Large males can stand more than 10 feet tall on their hind legs and 5 feet when on all fours. Males can weigh in at more than 1,500 pounds after feeding on salmon. In the Journal of Mammalogy, there was a listing for a male Kodiak bear that weighed 1,648 pounds. Females, on the other hand, are 30 percent lighter than males in addition to being 20 percent smaller.

Unlike Kodiak bears, grizzly bears do not live in coastal areas, which gives Kodiak's an advantage in terms of food protein; in the waters around which they live, is a rich supply of salmon that they feast on when the salmon are spawning. The areas are so rich in fact, 40 percent more brown bears could very well live there. Grizzlies can be found living in Canada - British Columbia, Yukon, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories. They also make their home in the United States in Alaska, Idaho, Washington, Montana, and Wyoming. They generally live in a range that is between 10 and 380 square miles and is inland, away from water. Some type of forested land or shrub cover can usually be found in their home range which they will often use for escaping purposes. With the exception of salmon, grizzlies and Kodiak bears generally eat the same things - berries, roots, rodents, whitebark pine nuts, and bulbs of plants. They have also been known to prey on elk, moose, mountain goats, and mountain sheep and in the spring, will feed on these animals' calves.

Don't be too confused about what to call a grizzly bear - all you need to know when it comes to purchasing a brown teddy bear, is that you want a teddy bear that's brown in color. It's that simple. Of course, if it's a brown plush bear you want, steer clear of the brown teddy bear!

Copyright Shelley Vassall, 2010.

Brown Teddy Bears

Brown Teddy Bears

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The Black Teddy Bear and Black Bears in the Wild

If you're looking to bring a black teddy bear into your home, you will have to decide which version you want. Some black teddy bear's look like a teddy while others look like a black bear. While the teddy design were originally based on wild bears, they don't all look them - they look, instead, like teddy bears. To tell the difference you need only look at the face and body of the plush bear; teddy's are generally made in a sitting position with arms and legs that don't have 'claws' and many of them have smiling, pleasant faces; black bears, on the other hand have defined pads on their paws, 'claws', and are made so they can flop over and/or stand on all fours, just like a wild bear does. Their faces are also designed much like a real bear which means they have a long snout.

Many references to bears can be found in both modern and ancient literature, legends, folk songs, cartoons, children's stories, and mythology. They are the first type of animal most children learn to recognize. When looking at bear folklore it can be confusing to a child given much of it is based on caricatures - teddy bears and Smoky the bear on one hand and magazine cover pictures of ferocious, real bears, on the other. Traditionally, bears have been portrayed as villains so as to support the notion of man against nature, and bears in general have not been distinguished from one species to the next - the black bear from the grizzly bear, for instance. The fact is, the two species are quite different.

Black bears can be found living in most forested areas of North America, which includes all Canadian provinces except Prince Edward Island (they were all wiped out in 1937), 40 of the United States, and many portions of northern Mexico. From nose to tail, black bears are 4 to 7 feet long and 2 to 3 feet in height at the shoulder. They have small eyes, rounded ears, a long snout, light grey skin, and a short tail. Depending on the season, their fur is shaggy or sleek. On average, black bears are smaller than grizzly bears with a smaller shoulder hump and a facial shape that is less curved. They have smaller claws than the grizzly, which they use for climbing trees. Their fur is also less shaggy than that of the grizzly. The black bear has ears which are longer and smoother than a grizzly bears and they have a furred instep at the rear which the grizzly does not. More than any other North American mammal, black bears come in a variety of colors; in eastern populations they are usually black but in western populations they are brown, cinnamon, black and sometimes blond.

If it's a true black teddy bear you're looking for, like with wild black bears and grizzlies, be sure to distinguish which it is you want [from the black plush bears] - you can in fact tell the difference between the two.

Copyright Shelley Vassall, 2010.

Black Teddy Bear

Black Teddy Bear

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Collectible Teddy Bears

Practically every child owns a teddy bear and it often remains well loved throughout our lives, or passed on to our children. Many different toys are fashionable with each generation, but the teddy bear has been a constant favorite since the first ones were produced around 1900 and named after Teddy Roosevelt. The story goes that he refused to shoot a captive bear and the teddy bears were named to honor his compassion. Now those early bears have become highly collectible.

Most threadbare teddy bears have little value except to their owners, but some fetch high prices when they come to auction and there is such a thriving market that many companies produce bears solely for collection rather than as a toys for children.

The most well known brand is Steiff. This German company started producing their fully jointed bears in 1902. These realistic bears with their humped backs have always been a firm favorite with collectors and command high prices. Steiff bears are still in production and if you cannot afford the cost of an old bear, a modern one may well be an antique of the future. Steiff bears are recognisable by the brand button in one ear which was first introduced in 1904.

In 1908 the English company Farnell produced their first teddy bear and stayed in production until the 1960s. In 1996 Merythought bought the trade name and started producing replicas of the earlier Farnell bears. Like Steiff, early Farnell bears can cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, as long as they are in good condition.

Bing bears date from the same early period as Steiff and Farnell. They are particularly well known for their mechanical toys which are highly prized by collectors.

If your old bear is looking a little worse for wear, there are plenty of restoration companies on the internet, although restoring can be a very expensive option.

Numerous companies now produce collectible teddy bears, and there are several worth considering. Boyd bears are highly popular and you will find plenty available to buy online. Do some research on the the earlier Boyd bears and bear in mind that because they are relatively modern you should be looking for close to mint condition.

Many enterprising bears makers have started creating teddies out of old fur coats, particularly mink. If you have inherited an old coat that you prefer not to wear, why not have it made into a bear which could become a family heirloom. A much better idea than a musty old coat hanging in the closet!

Collectible teddy bears are different from any other type of collection. Perhaps it is memories of our childhood, that makes us become emotionally attached to every bear that we buy. The enjoyment they give makes them worth every cent they cost.

If you are looking for a collectible teddy bear, or wish to learn more, please visit Collectible Teddy Bears.

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Collecting Teddy Bears - A Profitable Hobby

Collecting teddy bears is a really great hobby. It often starts with your childhood teddy bear since many people find it hard to part with their "friend". They will keep it around for years and this makes a pretty good starting point for a collection of teddies.

Whether you collect expensive and hard to find antique bears or modern bears,you will derive great enjoyment from the search.

If you don't know much about about old teddy bears, you can certainly buy a book or reference guide to help you. There are plenty of books available which will provide you with the necessary information about the most popular and collectible bears.

If you enjoy going to auctions,thrift shops,garage sales,and flea markets you have a great source for teddy bears. You can find both antique and modern collectible bears for your collection.

If you know a bit about teddy bears you can try following online auctions. Auctions are one of the best ways to find the scarcer teddy bears. Your online search will obviously be a lot easier if you learn the names or kinds of teddy bears which are most collectible.

Collecting rare and valuable teddy bears definitely requires more knowledge. For this reason I would suggest researching the various types of bear and how you can identify them. You must know what to look for to identify a good collectible teddy bear. This knowledge will help you to build a really valuable collection of old bears.

Teddy bear collecting is a hobby which can be enjoyed by anyone. When you are out searching or browsing online for a teddy bear it will help immensely if you have researched the history of the manufacturers. Knowledge is the most important thing in collecting antiques. Bears are certainly no exception to this rule.

Most people are surprised to learn the history of teddy bears. The first teddy bears were produced in the year 1902. The story of American President Teddy Roosevelt and his bear hunt is very well known so I will not repeat it here. The Teddy bear was of course named after Teddy Roosevelt. In that same year the Steiff company in Germany produced a toy bear. Steiff bears,especially the early ones are among the most valuable bears for collectors.

Other well known manufacturers of collectible bears in the USA and England include Ideal, Merrythought, Chad Valley, Chiltern, Farnell and Hermann. If you are lucky enough find an old bear by any of these makers it is very collectible.

You can build a collection of teddy bears which will give you great enjoyment. Your collection will also continue to increase in value as years go by.

Are you looking for collectible teddy bears and other toys? You will find a lot of free information and a great selection available on our website at Teddies and Toys

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The Advance of the Teddy Bears

Stuffed animals and dolls have always been popular, but since their creation in the early 1900s teddy bears have been one of the best selling toys available. These stuffed bears were given the name "teddy" after Theodore, or "Teddy" Roosevelt had a famous incident on a bear hunt. A toy shop introduced "Teddy's bear" and after that they became a staple of childhood toys.

Due to a whole lot of creative thinking over the years, there are now thousands of types of bears. You can find them in any toy section, and there are also stores that specialize in them.

An idea that recently became popular is to give personalized teddy bears as gifts. "Build-Your-Own" stores are widely popular because they allow people to choose everything about the stuffed animal they are creating.

There are also online stores that make and sell creative, usually limited-edition bears. A person can choose a bear by narrowing down the fields of choices. There are bears for all occasions; hobby bears, thank you bears, and sympathy bears are just a few examples. These companies deliver these bears right to the recipient's home along with a card, much like a flower delivery.

Some of the most popular themed teddy bears are those that have a career theme. Firefighter, police, nurse, and teacher bears are all career bears.

Some people collect teddy bears; and their reasons for doing so are as varied as the people themselves. Some people only collect antique or vintage teddy bears. Other people only collect bears made by a certain company. Every holiday has teddy bears that are customized to it, and some people pick a holiday and collect bears that go with it.

One thing that is really amazing is that teddy bears have been put in many places in the house. There is clothing with pictures of teddy bears on it, kitchen décor with bears, bathroom décor with bears, and so on. People love these bears so much that they are willing to put them all over their homes.

Dolls are another kind of toy that often has a teddy bear theme. There are dolls that look like they are wearing a teddy bear costume. There are also dolls that are holding a bear. These are a kind of cross of two favorite toys or collectables.

If you are looking for a specific type of teddy bear, you can most likely find it online. A quick search will bring up exactly what you need. There are a lot of great stores that sell teddy bears and toys.

But if you are looking for a teddy bear for someone, you may have a hard time picking just one. There are thousands of wonderful bears that you can get, and many of them are very inexpensive. Whether you are getting a bear for a child or for an adult, they will cherish this toy for years to come.

Jennifer R. Scott has been writing for over ten years on a broad range of topics. She has a background that includes such diverse areas as environmentalism, cooking, animal care, and technology. If you would like more information on custom gifts, please visit Teddy Bears, a supplier of high quality custom teddy bears.

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The World's Most Famous Teddy Bears

The teddy bear, that cute 20th century icon and everyone's favourite childhood soft toy, has an enviable pedigree. Inspired into existence more than a hundred years ago by no less than a former President of the United States in America, and almost simultaneously in Germany, teddy bears went on to capture the public imagination as no other stuffed toy has done so far. It was eminently cuddly, endearing and comforting. Small wonder than almost everyone, from distinguished statesmen to the kid in the neighbourhood clamoured for one.

Did you know that in 1985, London's auction house Christies held its first-ever auction of old teddy bears? Teddy bears are, without doubt, everyone's favourite stuffed animal.

Here are some of the all-time favourites:

1. Winnie the Pooh / Pooh Bear

Winnie the Pooh is arguably one of the most famous bears ever. He is a fictional character created by A.A Milne, a highly regarded author and playwright. His birth has an interesting story...

During a routine halt of a train carrying troops from Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada) to eastern Canada during the WWI, at White River, Ontario, a young lieutenant Harry Colebourn bought a small female black bear cub from the man who had just shot its mother. The orphan was named 'Winnipeg', after his hometown of Winnipeg, and shortened to 'Winnie'.

In December 1919, Colebourn presented the London Zoo with Winnie where it quickly became a huge attraction. The London Zoo became Winnie's home till she died in 1934.

Christopher Robin, son of author A.A. Milne, used to love this small, black bear and had even nicknamed his own stuffed bear 'Winnie'. It was his son's fascination for this bear that prompted Milne to write a whole series of books about Winnie the Pooh. Incidentally, the name of Pooh originally belonged to a swan. 'Winnie-the-Pooh' was published by Methuen on October 14th, 1926.

Today, children's toy shops are dominated by Pooh paraphernalia. There are Winnie-the-Pooh bears, clothes, bedding, animated cartoons, and even web sites.

2. Paddington Bear

A classic among children's literature, Paddington Bear has been charming children of all ages since it was first created by a British writer, Michael Bond, in 1958.

Bond chanced upon a teddy bear sitting somewhat forlornly on a shelf in a store near Paddington Station in London in 1956. Something about this solitary creature caught Bond's imagination and he soon penned the first book called 'A Bear Called Paddington'. This adorable little bear is actually an immigrant who hailed from Darkest Peru. He hid himself on the lifeboat of a ship and arrived in England, as advised by his Aunt Lucy who had reared him so far.

This little bear immediately endeared himself to its young (and not-so-young) readers with his old hat, battered suitcase, duffle coat and love of marmalade sandwiches. Although he had a talent for getting into trouble, he also had an almost-human sense of right and wrong and shunned wild adventures.

The first Paddington Bear soft toy was created in 1972 by Gabrielle Designs, a small business run by Shirley and Eddie Clarkson. It was Shirley Clarkson who gave young Paddington his trademark Wellington boots to help the bear stand upright.

Paddington bear books have been translated into thirty languages across seventy titles and sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.

3. Fozzie Bear

Originally created by Jim Henson, Fozzie Bear is the widely loved stand-up comedian of The Muppet Show. This orange-brown, fuzzy Muppet bear usually has his young audience in splits as he tells bad jokes, sprinkled with his catchphrase, 'Wocka wocka wocka!' Fozzie's attempts at humour are usually greeted a shower of rotten tomatoes and ridicule, from his two hecklers Statler and Waldorf.

4. Corduroy Bear

Corduroy is a classic heart-warming tale written by Don Freeman in 1968. It tells the story of a teddy bear named Corduroy, who is bought in a department store by a girl named Lisa, making it one of the most-loved children's stories of all times. The endearing story of Corduroy begins when all the shoppers have gone home for the night, and Corduroy climbs down from his shelf to hunt for his missing button. His adventures that night open new vistas for him the following morning. A little girl named Lisa arrives at the store and buys him with the money she had saved in her piggy bank. She takes him home and installs Corduroy in her room. That's when Corduroy decides that he has finally reached 'home' and that Lisa must be his friend.

5. Rupert Bear

Rupert The Bear is a hot favourite with the children in the UK. This lovable bear was created by the English artist Mary Tourtel and made his debut as a comic strip in 'The Daily Express', a British newspaper in 8 November 1920. Since then he has become significant to children's culture in the United Kingdom and continues to appear in the same paper today.

Failing eyesight forced Mary to stop drawing the cartoon in 1935. Alfred Bestall took over her job and continued drawing and writing about the adventures of Rupert for the next 35 years, until he retired in 1965. Since then, various artists have kept alive Rupert, who is extremely popular with children.

6. Yogi Bear

Yogi Bear is another famous fictional cartoon character, created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera in 1957. Young Yogi is an annoying yet lovable little grizzly bear who is famous for outwitting campers and making off with their picnic hampers in the Jellystone National park. What's more, he calls himself as being "smarter than the average bear."

A staple of the early television years, Yogi He made his television debut in 1958 as a supporting character in The Huckleberry Hound Show. Racing up the popularity charts and proving to outshine Huckleberry Hound himself, in January 1961 Yogi bear graduated to his very own show called The Yogi Bear Show.

7. Smokey The Bear

Smokey has been an enduring icon and a mascot of the United States Forest Service. Smokey Bear was created to create public awareness about the prevention and the dangers of forest fires. This lovable bear has been educating old and young about the dangers of forest fires for the past 60 years.

Smokey's name was inspired by a hero of the New York City Fire Department, "Smoky" Joe Martin, who made headlines for his bold 1922 rescue despite blindness and severe burns. Smokey the mascot also had a living namesake who was a real American black bear. In the spring of 1950, as a small cub at that time, Smokey was trapped in the Lincoln National Forest in the Capitan Gap wildfire that raged across 17,000 acres in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico. The brave young cub clambered up a tree, but not quickly enough. His tender paws and hind legs were scorched badly and he was finally rescued by a game warden after the fire. Smokey the mascot soon became an indelible part of popular American culture in the 1950s.

Daya writes for numerous websites and blogs about shopping, gifts, occasions, romance and (yes!) teddy bears. She contributes to fan site Personalised-Teddy.co.uk, where teddy aficionados can discover where to find the best personalised teddies. She also contributes to UK blog Gifts Solved, where she reviews the best gifts available on the web.

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