stuffed animals - Stuff Parents Need

My Daughter Has a Pet Red Dragon! (Giveaway!)

March 6, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 124 Comments

Isn’t it funny how children can be scared of the most unlikely things but be fascinated by things you would think to be scary? It makes me chuckle to see my child, who used to be absolutely terrified of butterflies and balloons, cuddling up with a red dragon every night.

Her dragon’s name is Darco, and he has been a character in her bedtime stories now for months. Tim is such a great storyteller, and every single night, her tells Darah a story, at her request, about her adventures with her pretend friend named Moon Girl (Tim tells me he was inspired by some anime flick he watched with a girl in it called Moon Girl). Moon Girl and Darah do all sorts of fun things all over Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain (that’s where the Mole Kings live) and they also travel to other worlds, under the sea, and to the land of the princesses. Moon Girl is able to fly on her own, but since Darah can’t, she has a flying dragon named Darco that she rides on their adventures. Darco is a red dragon, according to Darah. Red is one of her favorite colors, so I’m not surprised to hear it.

Darco has strictly been an imaginary character, until I happened to find a gorgeous stuffed red dragon through Douglas Toys. Darco made his appearance in the flesh on Valentine’s Day morning and has been a constant companion ever since. I wish I had videotaped Darah introducing Darco to Bunny (who is her very most special lovey). As she introduced them to each other she said, “You will be very good friends with each other, because I love you both SO much!”

And love that dragon, she does. He has held up beautifully over the past few weeks, even with daring deep sea dives, trips into spooky caverns, and even a few quick jaunts into outer space. He’s ready for all the action!

I’m very pleased with the overall look of this red dragon from Douglas. His construction is beautiful, his colors are vibrant, and he is cuddly soft…not an easy feat for a dragon, I have to say! And for the price of $19.99, he is providing Darah with hours and hours of imaginary play. He is most definitely a winner.

Does your child have a creative mind and a love of plush toys? Poke around on the Douglas Toys website and see if anything needs to come home with you. Easter is the perfect time for a new friend to be introduced! There’s even an entire category on the website devoted to Spring/Easter plush options. So much cuteness!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a plush of your choice from Douglas Toys (up to $25!)
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Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Special Lovey Contender: Goblin Kids Bunny Review and Gift Certificate GIVEAWAY!!!

December 2, 2012 · by Tiffany Merritt · 71 Comments

Did you grow up with a most special lovey? Perhaps it was a blanket that you carried around with you everywhere? Or maybe it was a favorite stuffed toy? For my husband it was a stuffed Wicket plush (yes, from Star Wars). Even at 32 years old, you can still see a little pain in his eyes when he recalls losing it at the airport one year while traveling.

For me, it was my doll Lisa. She was the last Christmas gift from my maternal grandmother to me before she died. I was only 3. Lisa was my constant companion for many years. She was lost in a flood in the ’90s. No, she wasn’t literally swept away, but the damage done to her was irreparable, so she had to go. I wish I had thought to take photos of her before letting go.

While I don’t need the comfort that Lisa provided me as a child any longer, now that I see how special Darah’s lovey is to her, I can recall its deep importance, and I want to make sure I do everything I can to keep him safe and sound, even if there is a lengthy season of her life where he will simply sit on a shelf, or even in a box.

And I am honestly gripped with excitement as I wait for Layah’s lovey to be discovered. For Darah, the attachment came rather early, around 9 months of age. Will it happen that soon for Layah? I don’t know! But every time I introduce her to a new friend, I really enjoy seeing how she responds to it. You never know which one will steal her heart.

Darah suggested that we get Layah her own special big bunny since a bunny is Darah’s lovey of choice. She suggested a look-a-like, but I could see that causing more problems than not, so I thought having something a little different would be ideal. But one thing was certain: it needed to have long, soft ears. Those are best for rubbing gently over baby’s eyes as they drift to sleep!

Meet pink bunny.

She’s from one of my favorite online toy shops called Goblin Kids. This store sells the kinds of toys you dream about getting for your little one. Unique, high quality, and classic. They are built to last and are constructed very carefully. These are the toys that you will hold on to long after the days of playing are over. They are meant for several generations of play, not just for several months.

Pink Bunny, who actually comes with a much more creative name, Cordy Roy, is from the London-based company Jellycat. She is 15 inches high, which is a really nice size! She is super snuggly soft and I have no worries about Layah chewing on her, as the standards used by Jellycat meet and exceed both American and European safety standards.

Would you believe that Layah was already in the midst of THE FLU when this picture was taken? That should give you an idea of how she lights up when she sees pink bunny. While it is too early to make the call, I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes her most special lovey.

Goblin Kids may have helped us find a real treasure, indeed. And I know they can help you do the same, whether you are hunting for a lovey for just for a special toy. They are a particularly great resource for Haba toys, wooden toys and educational toys. Definitely give them a look!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a $25 gift certificate to Goblin Kids! What a great credit to have on hand for an upcoming baby shower or kid’s birthday party!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

The Most Adorable Plush Creatures: Handmade Dollies by Clara Dolly

October 17, 2012 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

Look at this face

This is the Cabbage Monster. And bless his little heart, he tries so hard to be scary. Just yesterday I caught him trying to scale Darah’s Lego towers.

But those tiny little arms and legs don’t serve him well as a climber. So he had to settle for a staring contest with Layah. She broke eye contact first, so he at least won that battle. Just look at his victorious face!

After I took that shot, Layah bit his face. I decided to spare him the humiliation of putting that picture on the internet. Cabbage monster has a reputation to uphold, after all.

While he hates for me to say this, isn’t Cabbage monster just the cutest little thing?! He’s the creation of Clara Lieu and is one of many incredible handmade dollies just waiting for a forever home at Clara Dolly. Stuffed animals have a very special place in our home. They were my favorite toy as a child and seem to have the same place of honor in Darah’s heart. I am always on the lookout for stuffed animals that are unusual in some way. Handmade stuffed toys are a rare treasure.

If you are looking for a gift that will be more than an object to a child, but that will become a true friend, may I suggest something form Clara Dolly? From bats, to chickens to miniature people, there’s something for everyone. And even the fiercest of creatures from Clara Dolly have a soft spot. Don’t tell him that I told you, but Cabbage Monster loves a good cuddle after a long day of being the biggest, baddest plush this side of the Mississippi!

Prices start at just $15. Take a look around and see if you need to bring someone home with you!

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

The Animal Place Stuffed Animal Review: So Realistic!

January 13, 2012 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

My mother-in-law has a holiday movie that she loves to watch every single year. Actually, it’s just one scene from this movie that she HAS to watch. She laughs SO hard just thinking about it. It’s HILARIOUS to watch her as she conducts her annual ritual of watching “the squirrel scene” from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

If you are not familiar with this scene, it involves a squirrel being discovered hanging out inside the family’s Christmas tree. MUCH hilarity ensues when the squirrel decides to attack! Here’s a clip (WARNING: bad language is present in this clip).

This year I was able to add an extra dose of laughter to our family’s Christmas celebration by placing a VERY realistic squirrel in the tree for my mother-in-law to discover. She laughed and laughed when she found it, and now I’m on a mission to get another squirrel just like the one I have for her.

Darah has dibs on this one, though. She loves to chase after squirrels in the park, and when she first saw this squirrel, she thought it was real and was a bit nervous about touching it! That just how real it looks, people! This squirrel is from The Animal Place, a company that makes gorgeous, handcrafted animal toys. Their products have been endorsed by major conservation organizations because of their excellent attention to detail. These are the products of skilled workmanship, as is evidenced by the distinctive features of each animal.

Most every child has a favorite animal, and the odds are good that The Animal Place has a representation of that exact animal. After all, they have over 150 species represented and 10 different collections. They even have extraordinary life-sized reproductions that can hold riders up to 250 pounds! Woah!

I have to say that I’m extremely impressed with the quality of the toy we received. I believe it is going to hold up very well to years and years of play. The squirrel we received retails for $23.82 and the quality does justify the price. The dragon you see above is certainly a splurge, but it is life-sized and can come flying into your home for $927.00.

The Animal Place is pleased to offer a discount to Stuff Parents Need readers! Use code NEWYEAR2012 to save 15% off your order! Woo hoo!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Blanket + Stuffed Animal = Best Toy EVER! Snuggle Paws Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

September 21, 2011 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

You should see my child’s stuffed animal collection. It doesn’t yet rival what I had going on at the peak of my stuffed animal frenzy (I think I had close to 200 plush friends by the time I was 10). But given the fact that Darah is only 2, I’m going to go ahead and declare her collection OUT OF CONTROL. I know that I’m the enabler in this situation, and it’s because I empathize with her love for all things snuggly. Stuffed animals are her VERY favorite thing to play with, you see. She takes her animals for walks in her stroller, reads them stories and bounces on the bed with them.

The only thing that comes even close to being enjoyed as much by Darah would be blankets. Yup, blankets. Give this kid a blanket AND a stuffed animal, and she will nearly pass out from the joy of it. Not kidding. She’ll play uninterrupted for quite a long time, usually putting her various stuffed animals to “night night” and rocking them. It’s ridiculously sweet.

So you can imagine my excitement when I discovered Snuggle Paws, which are stuffed animals that come with a child-size blanket. Thank you for making the PERFECT toy for my child! Not only is the concept excellent, but the execution is outstanding. This toy is TOTALLY worthy of its name. It is the softest, snuggliest little critter that you’ll ever meet. the stuffed animal can easily function as a pillow when traveling. And the blanket! Oh!!!! It feels like cuddling up with some clouds (or at least what I imagine that might feel like!).

Snuggle Paws animals come with a handle on top (super plush, it does NOT interfere with the child’s ability or desire to play with the animal) and velcro paws that can hold the rolled-up blanket. This makes it an excellent travel companion. You’d better believe it will be going with us this Christmas when we fly to California. If Darah isn’t feeling sleepy on the plane, don’t think I won’t break out that awesome blanket, either!

I’m guessing by now that you realize I’m totally ga-ga over this product. It certainly does seem as though it was made with my child in mind. Perhaps it was made for your little one, too?

Win it!: One lucky person will will your very own Snuggle Paws!
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The King and Queen of the Stuffed Animal Kingdom

April 26, 2011 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

I was inspired to write this post after seeing Dear Crissy write about her toddler’s most beloved stuffed animal friends. Check out her post here.

Darah has a growing interest in stuffed animals. I completely support this interest, as stuffed animals were my very favorite toys to play with as a child. She very much enjoys playing with all of them, but there are two in particular that stand out from the crowd. They are her very best buddies, and I get physically ill at the thought of losing either one of them. I just wanted to show them off to you, today, and also capture them in my blog memory.

Bunny and Llama. Thank you for your service. You are trotted all over this house, all day, every day. You are Darah’s security toys and she turns to you for comfort and love, and you are always there for her, ready to give a squishy hug.

Bunny was a gift from her Pa Pa (my father) last Easter (so happy one year anniversary with us, Bunny!). Llama was purchased new at the Memphis Zoo (he was 70% off, lest you think I overpaid 😉 and I even blogged about it!). We gave her two choices of animals that day, and she didn’t hesitate one bit before grabbing Llama by the neck. She hasn’t looked back.

Both of these animals are repeatedly bitten on the nose by Darah. Is that her way of showing them that she’s the leader of the pack? 😉 Does your child have a most beloved stuffed animal?

Have you ever (gasp) lost it??? Tim STILL remembers his favorite stuffed animal (Wicket from Star Wars). He lost it when he was a teenager. Yeah, you read that right. Embarrassed, love? 🙂

Plush Monster: A Best Buddy for Your Child

May 3, 2010 · by Tiffany Merritt · 117 Comments

Most of the children I know have far more toys than they need, and maybe even more toys than they even want. This is because we, as parents, find things in the stores that seem so cool, but that our children hardly play with when we bring it home to them. Or, children beg for the latest toy that is being heavily advertised on television and you eventually give in, only to have it break after 20 minutes of use or turn out not to be very entertaining, after all. So many of our homes are knee-deep in plastic crap.

Many children also have an extra special toy that they love to pieces and that goes with them everywhere. Often, this toy is a very special stuffed animal. I know when I was a little girl stuffed animals were my very favorite, and I would play with them for hours on end. I had a stuffed monkey who wore an outfit very similar to Dorothy’s (from The Wizard of Oz). Her name was Samantha and she was my best buddy.

I want Darah to have a best buddy, too, and I have found the COOLEST handmade stuffed animals…err….creatures EVER! Meet Darah’s new plush monster pal Eloi. Eloi comes from a shop called Mr. Sogs and is the handiwork of a wonderful Memphian named Joelle. Joelle has always had a soft spot for animals that are a little bit different, and that is reflected in her creations. Whenever she feels inspired to make a new creature, Joelle will make a few different versions until she gets it just right. All of her creatures are made two of a kind (she says that’s so that they will never really be lonely!).

The name Mr. Sogs comes from Joelle’s very large cat by the same name. Mr. Sogs loves the creatures that Joelle makes, so much so that he used to open the door to her sewing room when she wasn’t around, steal the creatures, and then sleep on them! Ha! Rest assured, she keeps her sewing room locked, now, much to the chagrin of Mr. Sogs.

Now, back to the creatures. When Joelle gave us the opportunity to choose something in her shop to review, Tim and I took this job VERY seriously. We carefully examined each creature, and talked about the features we loved about each one, and whether or not we sensed that each one would be a good potential buddy for Darah. We had to make some tough choices due to all the unbelievably cute animals in the shop, but eventually, we knew that Eloi was destined to reside at the House of M. And when he arrived, Tim and I were so excited! I’m sure if anyone had been watching us, they would have laughed at how excited we were to present Eloi to Darah. But we couldn’t help it! We took a good long look at him before we handed him over, and were just blown away by how beautifully he had been put together. He was part work of art and part future BFF, ready to romp and play. He was, in a word, perfect.

We chose Eloi because we knew that Darah wouldn’t be able to resist those fabulous antennas. And we were exactly right! She reached for Eloi and grabbed him by the antennas and started chewing away. The she loved on him by putting his face on hers. Tim and I just about died. It was so cute. Whenever Eloi gets spotted in the toy box, she reaches for him and just keeps on chewing. Fortunately, he is so well-crafted that he can withstand the abuse, no problem.

I know that Eloi will be having many adventures with Darah and with our entire family, and I just can’t imagine a cooler best bud, except perhaps a certain gingham-dressed monkey.

While Eloi has already found his forever home, there are several other sweet plush monsters at Mr Sogs waiting to be adopted! Wallace is Eloi’s cousin, and he’d love to join your family! Or perhaps Elmore is just the right fit for your little one? Whichever creature you choose, rest assured that they are each made with lots of love and filled with love to give! Micro Creatures at Mr. Sogs start at $19.00 and larger creatures start at $40.00.

EDIT: Giveaway CLOSED!

Win it!: Mr. Sogs the cat doesn’t want to share these creatures with you, but Joelle does! One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win either Chester or Elmore!! The contest will run until Thursday, May 13th at 7:59pm CST. A winner will be randomly selected and emailed, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Open to residents of the United States. Be sure to leave your email address in your comments or have it in your profile or else I can’t contact you to tell you that you won!

How to Enter:

Mandatory entry: Tell me the creature from Mr. Sogs that you never knew belonged in your home until now! Also tell me if you prefer Chester or Elmore.

Additional entries:

1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email (one extra entry total, even if you subscribe both ways)
2. Follow me through Google Friend Connect
3. Put my button on your blog (leave blog url)
4. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (leave your Twitter ID)
5. Become a Fan of Mr. Sogs on Facebook
6. Add Mr. Sogs to your Etsy favorites

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product in order to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.