Teddy Bears are bought and used as comfort cushions for the heart and soul. They bring warmth and companionship to people of all age groups, babies, children, teenagers, and adults alike.
The soft, cuddly, stuffed bears have, over the years, become a symbol of affection, hope, and joy.
Like dolls, they make great house guests because they don't talk, although some are made with voice boxes and can say certain words and phrases, and they don't move around and make messes.
For children, a Teddy Bear can be a playmate, a confidant, and a loyal and trusted friend. Teddy Bears give comfort to children when they are sick, scared, lonely, or just in need of something to hang on to.
For adults, Teddy Bears bring a sense of peace and serenity into a home and gives it an aura of happiness and quiet enjoyment.
Teddy Bears mirror humans in all aspects of life. They are made to smile, frown, laugh, cry, to show anger, fear, pleasure, and all other emotions that humans display. That is what makes Teddy Bears so popular.
Not all Teddy Bears are made the same because they come in different shapes and sizes that range from miniature to portly.
Teddy Bears can be found in almost any color and they can be dressed and made to look like they are wearing the latest in fashionable styles.
They are made from an assortment of materials such as knit fabric, wool blends, cotton cloth, suede, silk, mohair, upholstery fabrics and many other materials.
The interior is stuffed with either beads, straw, wool, cloth, paper, sand pebbles, dried peas and beans, and other materials that make Teddy Bears soft and cuddly.
Their eyes may be made of glass, marble, or beads, and the nose and mouth are normally sown in place to give them the human, emotional, feature that is wanted.
Prices vary widely for collectible Teddy Bears. The name of the manufacturer, how it is sewn together, what the bear was stuffed with, and what it is wearing makes a difference in what a collector will pay for it. The bears age and it's overall condition will also play a part in the price.
Types of teddy bears: