If you think a large stuffed animal is an overly extravagant plush toy, you would be mistaken. For true soft toy connoisseurs, a large stuffed animal is a much welcomed addition to an ever growing plush toy collection.
Whenever another birthday rolls around or another holiday beckons in the not too distant future, it's tough to find a gift for the person that has everything, especially when it's a child. How many toys can they have, after all? While clothing is always appreciated (by the parents), depending on the age of the child, they will grow out of them very quickly. However, if you're shopping for someone that has a particular interest in soft toys, you have just made your job a whole lot simpler. What could be a better gift than a large stuffed animal? While you may think soft toys are pass, think again. There is no such thing as a child with too many stuffed animals.
In the years since the invention of the teddy bear, large stuffed animals have evolved from coarse imitations to sleek and exact replicas of the animals they represent. They are a laudable improvement for which children (and adults) are thankful. There is a new standard to these stuffed animals that are designed to be much more than just entertainment for children and adults. A large stuffed animal is comforting, there for hugs whenever they are needed. A large stuffed animal is also an ideal companion for play as it can come alive as much as a child's imagination will allow. What child wouldn't want to have a plush tiger as their protector? A child can't have a tiger in their real life, but they can surely have one in their make-believe life. Some large stuffed animals on the market today are so life-like, from a distance you just might be fooled into thinking it's something more than it really is.
A child's stuffed toy can grow into something close to 'human' given they often become their most treasured companion, confidant, and friend; some children even continue their relationships with their soft toys well into adulthood.
A large stuffed animal can be used as a tool to further a child's education about the animal it represents. With many stuffed animals having movable limbs, any number of stories can be dreamt up about what their life is really like in their natural habitats. Children will look on in awe as they listen to tales of how their beloved lion or panda raises their family, survives in the wild, and hunts for food. Manipulating a large stuffed animal while the story is being told will only add to its allure. While most of us will never experience what it's like to touch a real wild animal, with a child's fantasy and role-playing, a stuffed animal can provide a semblance of meaning to what the actual experience might be like.
Stuffed animals - iconic and emblematic of childhood innocence, are actually toys that offer a peek into the owner's imagination. So when it's time to purchase that next children's gift, look no further than a large stuffed animal.
Angeline Hope is a collector of large plush animals. You can view a large plush toy selection at MyBigPlush.
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