Webkinz Phenomenon - Educational Benefits!

The Webkinz phenomenon is producing positive feedback from children and parents alike! These plush toy pets are affordable, offer a variety of associated online activities at no additional cost and have educational benefits to boot!

Webkinz, produced by the Ganz gift company, are marketed similarly to Beanie Babies. And speaking of the Beanie Babies this is an equal if not greater craze never seen before or since until Webkinz! However, Webkinz targeted age group is 6 - 13 years of age in contrast to the Beanie Babies that appealed to more of an adult market.

The marketing strategy is modern and smart. The purchase of one toy earns you a one year membership to the Webkinz World website. Nevertheless, a majority of sales are repeat customers. Children are collecting numerous webkinz.

Your experience begins with the purchase of a webkinz stuffed animal of choice for approximately $11.99 through $15.99. Each pet has a unique identity in it's name given by the owner. When you register your pet on the site it receives an online room, food, starter furniture, and starter cash. You can earn cash by playing online games and then purchase clothing for your pet and items to decorate its house. You can also send gifts to other Webkinz World members.

The genius in this strategy is that it gives younger children access to the internet on a safe fun site. This toy peaks the interest of children and parents alike being that we are living in an internet culture. It provides a gateway to the internet for a child which is a hugely significant part of the adult culture.

There are various educational benefits to taking care of your virtual pet online. The concept of care taking maintenance is exercised in that the child feeds, bathes and plays with their pet in order to increase it's happiness. The child also must learn to prioritize "spending" and earn the "cash" needed to purchase items for their pet. Socially, the child can interact with their friends using Clubhouse Chat where they can instant message other webkinz members using a highly restrictive content instant messaging.

Finally, the games are educationally geared appealing to logic and problem solving skills. A feature game titled Quizzie's Question Corner allows a child to pick from standard school subjects and answer trivia questions in order to earn Kinz cash!

Webkinz Pets are a smart, fun and apparently highly appealing! They take traditional play into the computer age in an affordable package. The associated website is rich with educational activities for children [http://www.thesoftwarespot.com/default.asp?SID=xV6A3PBHC76W35LN7NULNE&S=500&A=F&SearchText=&CategoryID=1695863&NID=6372614] and the traditional stuffed animal is huggable and portable!

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Plush Toys and Removable Accessories

There are a lot of possible accessories for your plush toys. When I say a lot, I mean A LOT! You can put miniature human accessories on your toy such as cute hat or a trendy jacket. You can even put sunglasses on.

But it's now becoming more and more popular to include removable accessories as well. You're basically using the Barbie Doll's tried and tested formula of accessorizing. When you include removable accessories, versatility is added to your plush toys. They also give you the option to do follow-up sales. This is helpful if you have a stuffed toy for sale that is patterned after a very popular character. You can release accessories all year long and that would mean profit all year long.

But there is a valid concern if you want to add removable accessories to your toys - the issue of cost. It's important to note that you will spend more in order to accommodate the removable accessories. This is why there are some toy inventors who prefer to have them attached. A common added cost is the addition of Velcro which will attach the accessories to the plush toy. Aside from Velcro, you can also use buttons or zippers.

More and more people are disregarding the added cost since they realize it is worth it. As I've said, it gives the toy versatility and also creates opportunities for you to earn more in the future. Here are some other reasons that may help convince you to add removable accessories to your toys:

1. It gives you a new batch of customers. You're basically marketing your plush toy to a new market. This new market is people who love accessorizing. They are usually the creative ones that easily gets bored with toys that they can't do anything with.

2. It adds value to the plush toys. A simple sales message of, "Customize it!" adds great value to the toy. It makes your plush doll look more expensive so you can price it higher. If you were concerned with the added cost, this can handle that concern.

There are a lot of options for removable accessories. As I've said, you can use removable clothing and you can also add accessories based on the toys. For example, you can add a milk bottle, rattle or stroller for those patterned after babies. You can also make bones or a leash for a stuffed dog. The possibilities are indeed endless.

A reliable manufacturer would be able to tell you what works and what doesn't. They will also be able to help you minimize the additional cost because they have the technology and knowledge to make them efficiently. There are a lot of possible ideas for accessories; it's just a matter of finding the best one.

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Perfect Gift Ideas For Little Girls

If you have a special young lady in your life, there will come a time when you will need to shop for a gift for her. It is important to take a few things into consideration when choosing this gift. First, think about her likes and dislikes. It is important that you shop for something they will like instead of just buying a generic gift that all girls are supposed to like. Next, stick to a set price for the gift. If you go to the store without a budget in mind you may find yourself spending more than you want to or have to. In some cases, this does not result in a better gift either; it just means you spent a lot of money. Finally, devise a unique presentation method for the gift. Even the most mundane, run of the mill items can be livened up with an exciting presentation. Instead of just putting some pink wrapping paper on the gift for your favorite girl, come up with ways to make the packaging as exciting as the gift itself.

This is especially true if you simply cannot come up with perfect gifts and you decide instead to give her money or gift cards. She may be thrilled with the opportunity to shop for herself, but try to make those monetary gifts as special as something you shopped for yourself. If the young lady is into fun things that are targeted specifically at girls, she might enjoy handcrafted jewelry items, bath soaps, body lotions, or cosmetics. Handmade jewelry comes in all shapes and sizes and is often perfect for little girls because it can be custom-made. There are cosmetics on the market now designed for young women, so you will not need to worry about a young girl looking too made up, or damaging her skin. Try combining these items into a single gift that would make the perfect girlie gift.

If your favorite young lady is into sports more than she is girlie items, be sure you take that into account when shopping. Tomboys are fun to shop for because you can still buy something with a feminine touch while ensuring she will use and love the gift. Consider buying a jersey from her favorite sports team, or a plush toy that features the logo of her team or that is dressed in the theme of her favorite sport. In either case, these items can be suited for a little girl but the girl will not feel as if she is being stuffed into a stereotype of pink lip gloss and glitter. There are also bedding options with sports logos, crafty items, scrapbooks, furniture, and school supplies. Any of these items will let her know you took her likes and dislikes into consideration when shopping for her. It can be challenging to shop for a girl with nontraditional tastes, but if you take your time, set a budget, and present her with a gift that was wrapped in a creative way, she is sure to love it.

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The Economy Plush Cow Halloween Costume Brings Out the Bovine in You

Whether you are looking for a great costume for a costume party or you need a wonderful adult costume for this Halloween, which is just around the corner, a fun and cuddly costume to consider is the Cow Plush Economy Mascot adult costume. Whether you are a big fan of cows or you just are looking for a great costume that will thrill your kids, this is a wonderful costume to consider for a variety of different reasons.

Great for Halloween This Year
You'll definitely find that the Cow Plush Economy Mascot adult costume is a great choice for this Halloween. Whether you are spending it with your children, attending an office party, or getting out there and going trick-or-treating, you'll find that it is a cool costume that looks great, whether you are a woman or a man. Although it's not a really a feminine or macho type of costume, it definitely is a wonderful choice. So, get ready to enjoy Halloween and consider "mooooo-ing" your way through the holiday.

Use for More than Halloween

Of course while this costume is definitely an excellent choice for Halloween, that's not the only option for using this costume. If you have been invited to a costume party, this is definitely a great costume to choose. Also, it is great for advertising or even for dressing up as a school mascot. So, don't just think that you can use it for Halloween and the uses for the costume will be over. There are actually quite a few other uses that you can use this cute and cuddly costume for.
Dress the Family Up as a Herd

Of course if you are going to be hanging out with the family this Halloween, you may want to consider dressing the entire family up as cows so you have a whole herd. You can find costumes for children that look like cows as well. Then you'll just need a couple Cow Plush Economy Mascot adult costumes, and you'll all be ready to go. No doubt people will get a huge kick out of seeing a whole herd dressed up for Halloween.

As you can see, there are many great ways that you can use your adult cow costume, whether it's for Halloween or for something else. So, consider getting one of your own so you can have a great time with it this Halloween and for other events as we.

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How Much Homework is Too Much Homework?

One ten-year-old girl had so much homework every night she cried. She switched to a school with less homework. Now she's stopped crying and has time to play with her friends after school and get her homework done too.

Are your kids doing so much homework they have no time to play?  Does the amount of homework they get done help them do better on tests?

Educators across the country are asking these questions. And many conclude that a moderate amount of homework helps children develop important study habits and time management skills. But that homework doesn't necessarily mean they learn more or do better on tests.

Researchers collected math and science data from schools in 41 countries. Students in Denmark, Japan, and the Czech Republic had the highest math scores and the lowest amount of homework.

And now administrators at some of the fanciest private schools whose students often go on to Ivy League colleges are saying "no" to hours and hours of homework every night.

The National Education Association guidelines suggest that homework through grade two should never be more than 20 minutes a night. No more than 30-60 minutes a night for grades three through six.  High school depends on the subject and the number of AP classes a student is taking. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports these guidelines arguing that daily free playtime helps kids' emotional development.

Clearly the experts agree that all kids from kindergarten through high school need homework most school nights. But it needs to be meaningful and doable in a reasonable amount of time.

Is homework geared to the ability of your kids? Does it have a purpose? Or is it just busy work? Have the kids been given enough instruction in school that they can understand the homework and complete it?

So it's time for you to establish a place for doing homework, a daily time for doing it.Music if it helps. No music if it's distracting. And off with the cell phones! Having a homework routine makes homework easier.

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Puppy Healthcare Supplies

Taking care of your new puppy's health is about more than just his physical well-being. It's also about keeping his stress level low, teaching him how to function in his new world, and letting him know that he is loved.

Fun stuff

That last one will most likely be no problem. You can prepare for your puppy's happy playtime with you by purchasing a few of the following just for him:

Plush toys and squeaky toys for him to cuddle and destroy

Puppy chew toys and bones

Small bite-sized treats

For your home

Next, keep him from chewing on the things that can hurt him by providing him with a puppy cage or fenced in area where he will be safe while you are out. Additionally, something along the lines of ChewStop, a spray that protects your furniture and your puppy by tasting just terrible may be just the thing to keep him from gnawing your valuable and potentially dangerous belongings.

Grooming

Proper grooming is a bit part of keeping your new puppy healthy. Professional groomers are trained to notice irregularities on your puppy's body as he grows and changes, but you can have a mini-puppy grooming station at home to keep up with your puppy's health.

Dental supplies will help you keep your puppy's teeth clean. The equivalent of treats as well as puppy style tooth brushing will help you prevent gum disease and tooth problems later.
Nail trimming supplies are essential. If you start early getting your puppy used to having his nails clipped, it will be a lot easier for you as he gets older.

Puppy bathing supplies like shampoo and good brush will keep him and your house smelling good. Use the bath time to check him for sores, lumps, and excessive shedding.

Just for you...

Not all puppy healthcare supplies are for your puppy. There are a few things you should purchase for yourself with an eye toward keeping your puppy healthy. These include:

Books on puppy healthcare, training, and behavior

Puppy-sized food and water bowls

Puppy-sized collar with name tag and contact info for you

A leash appropriate for his breed

A word about vaccinations

You can find a wealth of information both for and against vaccines, each with a ton of studies to support them. Should you or shouldn't you? It's up to you. But if you decide to, it's import that you follow through and get booster shots for your puppy on time.

Here's a list of what your vet might offer you as far as vaccinations for you new pup and when they are given. You'll notice that there are multiple times in a puppies life when he can get vaccinated against certain things, so if you're undecided you do have time.

Parvovirus - 5 weeks; perhaps more after 15 weeks

Combination vaccine or 5-way vaccine without leptospirosis - 6 weeks and 9 weeks.

Coronavirus - 6 weeks and 9 weeks; 12 weeks and 15 weeks; or as an adult

Rabies - 12 weeks and up; or as an adult

Combination vaccine or 5-way vaccine with leptospirosis - 12 weeks and 15 weeks; or as an adult

Lyme - 12 weeks and 15 weeks; or as an adult

The combination or 5-way vaccine most often includes hepatitis, parvovirus, adenovirus cough, distemper, and parainfluenza. Ask your veterinarian if there is anything specific to your region that you should have your puppy vaccinated against. Certain breeds, too, may require other precautions for optimal health.

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The Crime Of Teen Obesity

Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat, which is identified through the concept of Body Mass Index (BMI). Specifically, overweight refers to an excess body weight with a BMI of 25 to 29.9. However, individuals with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese. Although our society is preoccupied with the "art" of thinness, obesity is finally recognized as an increasing health problem.

Furthermore, children who suffer with obesity are more likely to become obese adolescents and obese adolescents will likely become obese adults. According to data collected in the late 1990s by the National Center of Health Statistics, obesity increased dramatically amongst Americans of all ages. The number of children and teens from ages six to nineteen who are overweight accounts for fifteen percent (almost nine million). This percentage significantly tripled according to the data collected in 1980.

This common eating disorder usually associated with adolescents can weaken physical health and well being as well as shortened life expectancy. Although as children, they typically experience less weight- related health issues, however as adults, the risks monopolize. As an adolescent, especially, the development of personal identity and body image is rather important. Unfortunately, that concept is inversed by constant taunting and poor treatment. Significantly enough, some children are more critical of themselves.

A particularly high percentage of children struggling with obesity, particularly girls, become clinically depressed as a result of a preoccupation with being overweight. As previously mentioned, obesity has the tendency to result in medical problems. The more prominent problems could be Cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory and metabolic diseases to name a few.

More over, it has been researched to manifest itself through psychological hardship. Subsequently, obesity in adolescents will require a combination of treatment to include behavioral change therapy to deter negative self-esteem and the physical health component.

Shocking numbers show that one in every five children in the Unites States is overweight while every fourth child is obese in Australia. As these are saddening percentages, the United States has discovered the main causes of this epidemic. The fundamental factors that contribute to obesity are the lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, genetics or a combination of each. Basically, obesity is enhanced as the energy intake exceeds energy expenditure from physical activity.

With the predominance of the electronic revolution, children and adolescents are focused on the televisions, electronic games, videos and DVDs instead of outdoor physical activities. Studies reveal that approximately twenty- five percent of young (ages 12- 21 years) report that they are not involved in any vigorous physical activity. Additionally, young individuals consume a great deal of junk foods that are satiated with fat, cholesterol and sugar.

What is the solution to raising healthier children and adolescents? First of all, only two hours are recommended for children to watch television daily. After recent studies were conducted in 2005, it discovered that for every extra hour of weekend television at age five increased the chance of obesity at age thirty by seven percent. Believe it or not, Americans actually spend $33 billion annually on weight loss products and services. Perhaps, this has not proven effective. Secondly, the interactive dietary guidelines were implemented by the USDA in April 2005.

These guidelines suggest that total fat intake should be limited between 30 to 35 percent of calories for children two to three years of age. In children and adolescents four to eighteen years of age, the total fat consumption should remain between 25 to 35 percent of calories. Most fats are recommended to derive from sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids such as fish, nuts and vegetable oils.

As a parent of young children, you should provide as much guidance regarding the proper intake of foods. For example, you could start training your kids at an early age to eat healthy or replace junk food with healthy snacks. And it is just as important to encourage physical activity by taking the child on family walks. If your child is struggling with obesity, provide complete parental support and utilize any of these recommended solutions.

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Men's Birthday Invitations

A birthday is one of the most memorable and wonderful events in a person's life. A birthday party starts with birthday invitations, which play a vital role in the success of the party. Men's birthday invitations are interesting in their variety. For men, their sixteenth, eighteenth, thirtieth, and fortieth birthdays are very important. Themes for men's birthday invitations are very different from other birthday invitations.

Men's birthday invitations should ideally reflect the personality of the individual. If they are in keeping with the character of the man, they will have special appeal. Simple, elegant birthday invitations are the basic invitation models. They are primarily informative, giving details about the day, time, and venue. A variety of classic, trendy, and ornate birthday invitations are also available. To further personalize men's birthday invitations, you can choose from a wide variety of sayings and verses for the cover. In addition, men's birthday invitations come in a variety of themes such as trains, planes, baseball, race cars, trucks, tractors, tanks, construction, fishing, motorcycles, gymnastics, and more.

Like other birthday invitations, men's birthday invitations have their purpose and offer ample opportunity for creativity. Since adult birthday parties are a significant part of a person's life, it is essential that party invitations create memorable records for the guests. A creative and thoughtful idea for the invitation is to recollect the "good old days" of the birthday celebrant. In fact, this is often a popular theme for the birthday party event. So invitations bearing photos of the birthday person's childhood and adulthood can serve as lasting mementos for your friends and relatives and definitely make your guests attend the birthday party celebration.

Handmade men's birthday invitations are another option. Blank invitations can be filled in with appropriate words and images. Handmade invitations have an intimately personal touch and are ideal for small birthday parties, when you have a limited number of guests.

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Play Equipment - Get Kids Outside and Off the PlayStation!

Today's play equipment allows you to create a safe and happy play environment in your own garden or backyard, with toys that kids both big and small love playing with.

A gym set offers many of the features of play that kids just love, such as sliding, swinging and climbing!

Trampolines and Gym sets offer kids hours and hours of fun and games, while also not contributing to climate change which is a big concern for today's generation and the next.

With child safety and protection also a major problem in most countries, a gym set or trampoline in the backyard is a safe alternative to letting kids play out on the street or at the local park.

Most play equipment available today offers the following features,

• Brackets that keep little fingers out of harms way.

• Double strength, double sleeved steel leg tops for strength and durability.

• Galvanised and powder coated steel for long life.

• Plastic mouldings that have been UV Treated to improve outdoor product life.

• Manufactured to tough quality specifications and safety standards.

Play equipment products are designed for children mainly aged from 3 to 9 years and weighing no more than 34kg.

When selecting play equipment products for your children, please note that there is a recommended minimum 2m distance that should be kept from any unit to any other objects or structures in the yard.

All of the elements of any particular unit can be used at the one time provided that each child using the unit weighs no more than 34kg.

One example of a play equipment gym set that is available includes a Glide Swing, Safari Swing, Treetop Trapeze, Boat Swing, plus an extra Junior Jungle Swing.

A complete range of accessories is available for most play equipment gym sets such as a Free Standing Slides Climber Vines and a Liana Ladder, to name just a few.

Trampolines and Trampolining equipment is also available, which includes a full range of safety net trampolines and standard trampolines, which are compliant to new Australian safety standards and many other countries overseas such as the UK.

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Home Made Advent Calendars

Advent calendars are brilliant for counting down the days to Christmas. Every morning you have the fun of finding the next door and seeing what's hiding behind it. Chocolate calendars are very nice with a chocolate treat behind each door. You could make your own calendar. The best thing about making your own calendar is that you can put your favourite thing behind each door, or perhaps you could put the gifts you are most wanting Santa to bring you behind each door.

All you need is...
Felt tip pens, paints or pencils, PVA glue, thin card or stiff paper, magazines and catalogues and two print outs from the Santa's Postbag website, the link is below. You need a calendar front and a calendar back.

Take the 'back' print out, it is covered in 25 squares. Each square corresponds with a door on the front print out. Cut out pictures from the magazines and catalogues and stick them onto the squares. Don't worry if the pictures hang out of the boxes a little, it wont bee seen later. Leave this to one side to dry.

There is a choice of two print outs for the calendar front. There is a Santa calendar and a Rudolf one. Print one out and colour or paint the picture on the front of the calendar. If you choose to paint it, you will need to let it dry out before you continue.

The front of the calendar needs to be stuck to thin card or stiff paper. Sugar paper would be ideal. Cover the whole of the sheet in a thin layer of PVA glue, and stick on to the card or paper. Allow to dry.

Each door on the front of the calendar needs cutting. You need to be very careful, and cut 3 sides of each square. The doors could open to the left or to the right, or upwards or downwards, whatever way you choose.

To cut the doors is a bit tricky and younger children may need an adults help.

Put a ball of plasticine or Blu-Tack on the table, and place your picture on top of it where you want to make the hole, at a corner of a square would be good. Push a pencil through the paper and into the Blu-Tack or plasticine. This will give you a hole to get the scissors into to cut the door. Cut around all 25 doors.

Stick the calendar front to the back (The sheet with the magazine pictures stuck to it) Making sure that you can see the pictures when the doors are opened.

Leave the calendar somewhere to dry.

On the first of December you an open the first door of the advent calendar, the door with number one on it. Open one door every day. The morning that you open door number 25 will be Christmas Day, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

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Behavior Modification Programs For Troubled Teens

Teenagers growing up in today's environment are at great risk of developing deviant behavior because of the overwhelming chattels of deception that surround us all. Some children are able to breeze through these troublesome years whereas others succumb to all the negative influences and tread off on the wrong path.

The society and family both can be a source of the negative influences that are causing the teenager to develop a rebellious attitude. There is however no point in pointing fingers rather one should focus on problem solving once it has been identified. The teenager may be the source of the problems at your home but the object is to identify what is causing the problems with your growing child and seek a means to help him overcome them.

There is no doubt about the fact that your teenager needs to change his behavior. But enforcing that change at home is likely to lead to the spurring of further negative feelings within the teenager and consequently result in more rebellious behavior. The ideal alternative for parents in this situation is to enroll their troubled teenager in one of those specially conceived behavior modification programs.

Triggering the change from within

The difference between forcing a youngster to change his behavior at home and sending him to one of these behavior modification programs is that the program focuses on triggering the change from within the individual. This is what makes the behavioral change a permanent one. The individual who undergoes the treatment in such programs comes out as a reformed individual that can function in sync with society as well as the family.

Parents today are lucky to have a number of such options at bay. Behavior modification programs tend to vary according to their specific details. So how would you know which program is best for your child? The program that will work best for your child will be one that is relative to his particular condition. Hence the first step is to determine the particular requirements of your troubled teen and then explore the different options to see what works best with for your teenager.

From military schools to residential treatment centers all of these are but different manifestations of behavioral modification programs that aim to transform the character of the troubled teen into a mature young man.

The basic personality traits that these programs aim to instill in the students are that of accountability and the realization of the consequences of their actions. Once the teenager takes responsibility of his actions and stops blaming others for everything that goes wrong in his life then he is on the way to unyielding progress.

The troubled youth program will make your home free of the constant wrangling that plagued happy family relations. Your once rebellious teenager will learn how to comply to your commands by his own free will because he will have learnt the importance of doing the right things for the right reasons.

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Plush - Sketch your ideas

Stuffed toys to create a sketch of how important custom? What you want to see that you will not only produce, let it be? I was very popular with them, that means, especially stuffed animals. Manufacturer only easier to say, please dogs with big ears and long tail. They are professionals, you will probably want to ensure that we can handle it without your help.

But you can not know your oral sketchsuccess of your toy. If you have an idea for a plush doll, it's probably an original idea. Wouldn't you like your ideas to be followed strictly? If you don't provide a sketch, how can you be sure that the idea will be followed? You're banking on that cute idea. You wouldn't want to receive a shipment and your idea wasn't followed. Without it, what makes your toy different from the others?

In addition, it can also save you a lot of time, effort and even money. You can't just "sketch" your toys over the phone. Let's take for example stuffed animals. Can you just call the manufacturer and ask them to make toys wearing a blue shirt with a design of a bird? Here's what will happen. The manufacturer will ask how blue, and what bird you want it to be. If you say it's up to them, they'll send you a sample that you might possibly not be happy with because it's not what you're looking for. You wasted both your and the manufacturer's time and probably wasted some money along with it.

If you have an idea for a stuffed toy, take the time and effort to make a sketch. You don't have to do it yourself; you can get an artist that is familiar with toys so that he knows how to sketch them. You can't just get any artist; get one based on his experience with plush toys. It wouldn't matter if he makes sketches for movies if he doesn't know how to adjust it for creation of a plush toy. The sketch cannot have incredible amounts of detail. For example, there wouldn't be any use if the sketches have a very detailed facial expression that you usually see in Disney movies. No one can capture that on a stuffed doll.

That's why the best thing you can do is approach an artist that is experienced in this area. If you know how to draw, you can do it yourself and approach a reliable manufacturer. It's just simple art. You can ask them to take a look at your sketch while telling them what you want to happen. You can then Plush prototype, if the sketch, please see please see based on design ideas to get. You definitely get what you want to save their frustration. Finally, your idea of the toy.

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Plush Toys - Making Limited Editions

Most toy inventors wouldn't think of making their plush toys limited edition and it's easy to understand why. If you have a great idea for a custom stuffed toy, you would want to sell as many as possible. You will probably cite the Elmo doll as an example. If you manufacture more, you'll be able to sell more. If you sell more, you will get more profit.

What if you don't have the advantages of a very popular character like Elmo? Let's say that your plush design will be patterned after a character of a children's book that you wrote. You're most likely using the toy as a tool to promote your book. You can't really rely on your character's popularity since it's far from being the next Elmo. So what can you do?

This is where you might consider making your toys limited edition. How can you make them limited? Obviously, you're not going to produce them by the thousands, you're simply just going to make a limited batch and have them numbered. For example, a plush doll may have the number 1 of 500. It means that there are only 500 toys for that design.

It's a simple case of the law of supply and demand. You're creating low supply for the product so that the demand will go up. A lot of people would buy the toys since people like having things that are limited - It gives them the chance to own something that is exclusive. This is why we have a lot of collectors that are on the lookout for limited editions. You rarely see these people buying an Elmo doll, they will be buying stuffed toys that not a lot of people have. Take a look at the Beanie Babies craze. There was a craze because the manufacturer discontinued manufacturing some of the designs. That made these designs limited and it created a big demand for them. Now, these plush toys fetch a higher price just because they're limited editions.

A custom plush toy that is a part of a batch of limited editions can create the same craze. It might not be as recognizable as Elmo but it has its own selling point - it's limited. Making your plush toys limited editions can help make your batch efficient. You can have 500 limited stuffed toys that are sold out which is better than having 10,000 of mass-produced toys and you end up selling just 1,000 of them.

If you have a great custom plush idea, you might be thinking that it would be a shame to just produce a limited number of them. If you are confident that it's going to achieve at least one half of the popularity that Elmo did, then go ahead and produce them by the thousands. But if you're not that confident, then make them limited editions. It's also a great way to test the market and if things work out, then you can go ahead and create a second edition of your toys. It would be easier since you can just change the size, color or something else that wouldn't require a complete overhaul. It's a low-risk and high-reward project and success will come easy that way.

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Giant Stuffed Bears

Who doesn't love a large, roly poly, oh-so-snuggable, bear? One look at them and the urge to throw your arms around one and squeeze is just too much for one to resist! Beary big hugs are the ultimate feel good gift - no one should have to do without them.

There are eight living species of bear which include: black bear, brown bear, polar bear, Asiatic black bear, sloth bear, spectacled bear, sun bear, and giant panda. All are adorable in their own right and all are equally huggable just like the giant stuffed bears made in their likeness.

Bear habitats are very widespread through both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres; they can be found in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Besides color, bears look the same: they have large bodies, and stocky legs, long snouts, shaggy hair and short tails. Giant stuffed bears are available in a variety of colors (and species) but if you want to stick as close to the real thing as possible, it's probably better to opt out of purchasing pink and blue ones.

Bears can be found in a variety of children's stories and cartoons and are well known to most kids and adults. Baloo is a brown bear who has a penchant for sleeping. He is depicted in Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book (both a classic book and a later Disney cartoon). Yogi bear is also fictional and was given his own cartoon by Hanna-Barbera. In it, he and his partner-in-crime, Boo Boo, live in Jellystone Park (after Yellowstone National Park) where they try and steal picnic baskets from unsuspecting campers. There is also Winnie the Pooh Bear (owned by young Christopher Robin and portrayed in A.A. Milne's collection of stories), Smokey the Bear (a mascot of the U.S. Forest Service who helps to educate about the danger of fire), Fozzie Bear (the lovable Muppet who tells jokes) and Paddington Bear (a character in children's literature who wears an old hat and carries a battered suitcase). Every one of these bears has been made into a giant stuffed bear at one time or another and each of them is more huggable than the next. Cozying up to a giant stuffed bear, whether they came from a piece of famous literature (or television show or movie), is just about as good as it gets in the comfy department.

Any giant stuffed bear that becomes part of a child's life or a collectors plush toy collection, is one lucky bear indeed. Children [and adults] take great care of their giant stuffed bears - they love them and treat them like members of the family. Some children won't even think of leaving the house or going to sleep without their cuddly companion. A giant stuffed bear is more than just a plush toy - it's a lifelong friend and trusted confidante.

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Plush Stuffed Toys and Packaging

There is a little bit of conflict between plush toys and packaging. While most toys rely on packaging for the overall appeal, should you do the same for your stuffed toys? If you're going to make custom toys, should you consider customized packaging as well?

Packaging can do wonders for toys. It can also add value because packaging sometimes makes the toy look more expensive than it really is. It can make your toy cuter which is important because a lot of toys rely on the cuteness factor for their success. So you must be asking why would there be a conflict between plush and packaging.

Try to imagine yourself in a toy store looking for plush dolls. It goes without saying that the first thing that you'll consider is the look of the doll. Once something catches your attention, you're going to approach it to check it out even further. Next, you will touch it to see how it feels and maybe even hug it.

This is where the conflict comes in. Let's say you're going to make stuffed dolls with customized packaging. So you put some effort into designing packaging without really taking the plush toy into consideration. This can backfire in two ways. Firstly, the packaging can actually prevent others from seeing the true beauty of the toy. It can distract your prospective customers which may lead to have the toy unnoticed by the customer. So if your customers scan the toy store looking for a cute plush toy, they might notice your cute packaging but they'll skip it. Unfortunately, your cute packaging got in the way.

Secondly, the packaging can affect the overall feel of your stuffed toys. If your toy is wrapped in something like plastic, they won't be able to touch it to check how it feels like. The overall feel of the stuffed doll is its selling point. If they can't feel it, they'll probably skip it.

But there are advantages to packaging. Done correctly, it can add value to the toy. Just make sure that it doesn't take any spotlight away from the true star of the show. In order to do so, make sure that it complements the toy as a whole.

Also, packaging helps protect your toys during transit. If you ship your plush dolls around, there's the danger of the box getting crushed. Wrapping them in plastic gives them a protective vacuum to help prevent this. It can also help protect your toys from harmful dirt, dust and moisture. But make sure to put in a safety hazard warning that the packaging should be kept out of reach of children.

So as a rule, it's helpful to pack your plush toys properly while in transit. It will be up to you if you want to keep them in the original packaging upon selling it. Just make sure that the packaging complements the toys and it brings out the true beauty of the toy and not hide it.

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Webkinz Stuffed Animals Are A Safe Toy Without Lead

The toy recalls are pouring in. Everyday the list get bigger as Americans find out that the brand names they trusted with their children have been imported from china and painted lead paint.

As the holiday season approaches, Americans will be purchasing millions of toys and gifts for their loved
ones. How are they to know which toy is safe to buy? Although millions of toys have been recalled in the
last three months, and we know that lead is toxic, the U.S. still hasn't completely banned all toys that
contain the toxic substance. Its left up to the parents to find safe products for their families.

One company that has introduced a lead free toy to the market and has families in mind is the Ganz toy
company, a third generation family business located in Canada. They have taken the toy industry by storm with their new, innovative Webkinz product. The Ganz toy company has sold millions of webkinz products since their introduction to the market in 2005.

Just how popular are these stuffed, plush animals? They are one of the most highly searched for items on the internet and ebay. It is not uncommon for the few stores that carry the brand to be completely sold out soon after their shipments arrive. It can be a difficult task to find a Webkinz for sale since major toy retailers don't typically sell the item. They are mainly sold in gift stores, making them more difficult to find.

Webkinz stuffed animals resemble the once popular beanie babies. So what makes them unique? They are not only adorable stuffed pets for your child, but they also come with a tag attached to their ankle that has a code. This code is used to create a virtual pet by registering your new pet online in the Webkinz
World.

This online world is an interactive, child friendly website that has a wide range of educational activities and
games. The pet is cared for by purchasing items to take care of it using an online currency called kinz
cash. Kinz cash is earned by playing games and completing daily tasks. Users on the website can chat and
interact with each other but this is limited by pre-written statements and questions that ensure the
environment stays friendly and safe for kids.

When you are searching for that perfect gift for a child, or even an adult this holiday season that is safe
and fun, make sure to take into consideration toys such as Webkinz stuffed animals. You will find that they
are not only an adorable plush toy, but they are great to collect as well as a lot of fun to take care of
online.

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5 Unusual Gifts - Ideas That Are Appropriate For Any Adult

If you have a birthday party, anniversary party, graduation party on the way or if there is a holiday coming up where you need to give a gift but you don't want to give the same kind of gifts that everyone else gives, here are 5 unusual but fun gift ideas that are appropriate for and will be appreciated by any adult.

Give these to your kid's teacher, your co-workers, or your best friend of twenty years and they will enjoy these gifts and use them.

1. A pet related gift - Does the person getting the gift have a pet? Take a photo of the pet and have something useful made with the pet's image on it. You can have your friend's pet made into a soft plush toy that goes on a keychain or get your friend's pet's face emblazoned on a door mat. Pet people love their pets and your friend will love the fact that you took the time to have something custom made.

2. Make a "Sweet Dreams" gift basket - This is appropriate for any adult that has a stressful job and will be very much appreciated since most people don't take the time that they should take to relax every day. Put in items like a handmade mug and a selection of herbal teas or hot chocolate, comfortable slippers, a new robe, a special pillow, a book of inspirational poems and sayings about sleep, and some bath salts or bath oils.

3. Children's books - There are some classic children's books that almost everyone has read and loved. If the gift is for a friend and you know the childhood books they treasured buy copies of their favorite titles and give them the children's books and a new journal to encourage them to remember what they dreamed about as a child and to use the journal to make plans to follow those dreams. If you don't know the specific books they liked just get classic books like the Dr. Seuss books.

4. Gift certificates for some alternative therapies - Lots of people give gift certificates and gift cards for things like massages or spa days, surprise your friend or loved one with a gift certificate for some Reiki energy bodywork or an acupuncture session. Many people have thought about trying alternative therapies but don't want to spend the money so a gift certificate for an alternative therapy session will let them try it out without spending any money.

5. A gift certificate for a house cleaner - Almost every business professional or working mom has thought about hiring a house cleaner at some point but because of pride or because of the expense doesn't get around to it. Give a friend or a loved one a chance to find out how nice it can be to have someone else clean their home for a change. This is an especially great gift around holiday time when everyone is trying to get their homes ready for the holidays.

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Plush Toys - Protecting the Copyright, Trademark and Patent

If you have ideas for unique plush toys, it's just right to do everything to protect them. Plush toys are very profitable and if you don't cover all bases to protect your ideas, "enterprising" individuals will take advantage of it. They will be doing it "legally" because you didn't do the things to lawfully protect them. The last thing that a toy inventor would want is to see his cute plush toys displayed somewhere and he's not the legal owner of it.

There are three things that you can apply for to protect your plush toys ideas - copyright, trademark and patent. So what can you personally do to protect them? Here are the things that you can do to protect your unique plush toys' copyrights, trademarks and patent:

• Copyrights

Copyrights protect the overall look of your toy. For cuddly plush toys, it protects its "cuteness". It will shelter the way the face looks, the proportion of the body and the likes. The toys features are probably the most important factor to protect since they are the most obvious and your selling point. Copyrighting is automatic - the moment you put your idea onto paper or even a napkin from the neighborhood deli, it is legally protected under copyright. However, it's better if you can document it so that it will be easier to enforce. How do you document it? A lot of people believe that mailing yourself a copy of your idea via snail mail is the way to go. Unfortunately, it doesn't work. The best way to protect your plush toy ideas is to keep a note of all the relevant information that proves you as the owner of the idea. A notebook would do. Just take note of all your ideas and when you thought of them. You can add additional information about how you thought of the idea and where you thought of them. To further enforce it, keep notes of all witnesses. Just like in any legal proceedings, witnesses can win your "case" for you.

• Trademarks

Trademarks protect your toys' names and logos. Basically, your toys' branding is protected. Your unique stuffed doll should have distinctive names so you can do things to protect them. An example of a trademark is the name Barbie. No one can use Barbie for a name because you will be violating its trademarks. This is a little expensive and not all toys should be covered by it. The best way is to ask for legal advice from a lawyer to see if it makes sense to apply for trademarks in your own case.

• Patent

This is the most expensive among the three. Aside from being expensive, this is also the hardest to get. As an inventor of cute plush toys, it's good to know that you probably won't need them. But like trademarks, it's best to ask for legal advice from a lawyer.

So check to see what applies to your stuffed dolls to know how you can protect them. It will be one of the best things you've ever done as a toy inventor.

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How To Adopt A Webkinz-I Need A Hug And A Home

What is a Webkinz and how do I adopt a webkinz?

Webkinz are huggable plus pets that come with a unique secret code. This secret code will allow you to enter into the Webkinz World. This will allow you to care for your pet virtually online. Your plush toy can come to life virtually online where you can care for it just like if you have a real pet. You will also be able to customize a room for your adorable plush pet. Buying clothes, furniture and food for your pet will be alot of fun. Your pet comes to life virtually online. It's wonderful.

This special code will allow you to adopt your webkinz online. You will be welcomed by Ms. Birdy who will help you with the adoption process. So start looking for a great name for your webkinz. And let us know if it is a girl or boy.

How many webkinz can I adopt?

As many as you can. They all need loving homes. Collect them all.

Will I receive a adoption certificate?

Once you have adopted your webkinz, you will receive your adoption certificate and you can receive it online. You can printed it out.

My webkinz did not come with a secret code. What should I do?

Take your webkinz back where you purchase it from and get another webkinz that has a secret code. You should see the secret code around your webkinz's ankle. Do not purchase without that secret code.

I lost my secret code. Can I get another one?

If you lost your secret code, it will not be replaced. It is very important you keep your secret code in a safe place at all times.

A Webkinz is a joy to have. Each plush toy has a different hobby, different habits and their own favorite foods. What? You have not adopted your first webkinz yet? What are you waiting for? There are so many webkinz looking to be adopted. Your son or daughter will love webkinz and you will too.

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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.

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Small Business Ideas - Top 8 Great Money-Making Small Business Ideas

If you really think about it, you cannot possibly make enough money to reach your financial freedom by just being a regular employee. If you want to really get rich, you must start thinking big. You must seriously consider running your own business and getting people to work for you -- this is simply the recipe to earn more money.

However, what they say is true -- everything starts with a single step. If you don't have enough experience and relevant background just yet, it's better if you can start by building a small business. This can prepare you in handling bigger responsibilities in the long run.

When choosing the best small business for you, it is highly recommended that you go with those ones that you are deeply passionate about or an expert on. Remember, you'll be spending lots of your time growing your business and the last thing you'll want to happen is to dread going to work everyday. If you choose something that is aligned to your areas of interest, you'll most likely to feel that you are not working at all. Based on your skills, knowledge, and passion, you can choose any of these top 10 great money-making small business ideas:

1. Start a freelance writing service in the online and offline arena.
2. Offer coaching or consulting services in the field that you are an expert on.
3. Become a virtual assistant (reply to emails and phone calls, write marketing messages, do link building services, etc. for your virtual clients).
4. Sink your teeth into online affiliate marketing (this is one of the most lucrative fields in the online arena today).
5. Start a retail or specialty store in your neighborhood.
6. Try buy and sell. (You can also do this online through auction sites like eBay).
7. Spa and wellness center.
8. Franchise small fast food chains.

To increase your chances of succeeding in this field, make sure that you acquire certain knowledge as to how you can run your business. You must know how to attract prospects, how to properly market your products and services, how to decide on your tag prices, and ultimately, how you can outplay your competitors. You will need to be determined and you will need perseverance and truck load of patience especially if you are just starting out. Remember, the road to success could be bumpy but you'll be able to get there as long as you have determination and motivation.

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The Fascination Of Collecting Webkinz 2008 Stuffed Animals

Being a toy fan, I have met my share of toy collectors. It doesn't matter what the collection is, toy collectors are all similar. They get this obsession about finding every piece to their collection and displaying everything in a particular manner.

I have been collecting toys since I was young. I remember my mother telling me that I wouldn't want these items once I got older. I guess she was wrong, because I still love to collect toys.

Just recently, my children returned home from school with a new stuffed animal called a webkinz. I had never heard of them before, but once I found out more about them I began to develop the desire to collect all of them. I now spend hours with my children online in webkinz world which makes collecting the stuffed, plush animals even more desirable to me. The funny thing about getting involved in starting a collection is how you become so fanatical about completing your collection. It is not uncommon when you are on an internet forum to have people stating just how many stuffed pets that they currently own.

My children and I got a bit of a late start with our collection, so there were already several webkinz stuffed animals that the Ganz company had stopped making. Some of these retired stuffed toys were even selling on ebay for up to a thousand dollars like the cheeky cat and cheeky dog. I can't believe how in demand these toys are. When they first arrived, the few stores that sold them were unable to keep their shelves stocked. They have become one of the most sought after toys on the market today.

Now that the new year has rolled in, so have the new webkinz 2008 stuffed animals. Ganz has out done themselves with their new plush toy additions. The quality of the toys is increasing as well as their popularity. Some of the new animals in the 2008 line up include the Himalayan Cat, Schnauzer, Kangaroo, Black and White Cheeky Dog, and Pink and White Cat just to name a few. With toys like these it has become difficult not to want to collect them all.

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Retired Webkinz - Investment Strategy For Your Retirement?

Webkinz and Lil Kinz toys are becoming more popular every day. What are Webkinz? If you have an elementary or middle school kid in your house, you already know the answer to this question. If not, in 2006 GANZ company opened a Webkinz World web site for kids and started producing two kinds of plushy toys - Webkinz (the bigger ones) and Lil Kinz (the smaller ones). These "cute critterz" quickly gained popularity among kids and their parents in 2007 and 2008.

In 2007 GANS company started "retiring" some of their webkinz. It does not mean however that they will not "work" any longer. Retired webkinz can still be adopted and their secret code should still work with the Webkinz World web site. All it means is that the GANZ company will no longer produce and sell particular webkinz. These webkinz and lil' kinz will be discontinued or "retired".

Right after GANZ announces retirement of some webkinz, that's when the webkinz community quickly jumps on buying up the to-be-retired webkinz. The more people want to buy, the more demand grows for these webkinz and lil kinz, and they quickly disappear from the store shelves. And, of course, people start buying just retired or to-be-retired webkinz on the Internet which results in shortage of webkinz. Shortage of these virtual pets and more people still wanting them increases the price of these "critterz". The basic law of economics tells us that more demand and less supply drive the price for goods higher, so some of retired webkinz prices simply go through the roof.

For instance, let's examine what happened to the Retired Webkinz Cheeky Dog. Since GANZ discontinued it in Summer 2007, it has become one of the hottest and hard to find item on the market. Most places now have it out of stock or with a very expensive price tag. But a year ago you could easily find this plushy toy for only $11.95 or less in many retail stores. But look at it now - PriceGrabber returns two listings for Amazon: $989.95 and $1,199.99. That's 10,000% difference in price! Friend of mine mentioned to me recently seeing a lot of 6 Cheeky Dogs for $3,600! That's $600 per retired Cheeky Dog - not a bad deal you may think - but spending that much on a small plush toy? Even $600 is 5,000% - the numbers are insane!

Another example is the Retired Webkinz Cheeky Cat. Similar story, except the price tag is not as high yet. You can still find it for around $200 on the Internet. It's currently listed on Amazon for $299. That's still a huge profit - 2,500% from the original $12.

Are you thinking about adding the next retired webkinz or lil kinz to your retirement portfolio? What other investments will give you such a high return? And these numbers are just after 1 year!

Well, this may be a stretch. Who knows how long the webkinz craze is going to be around and nobody really knows what webkinz are going to rise in price as much as the Retired Webkinz Cheeky Dog and Cat did, but even if the price of the future Retired Webkinz goes to $25, that's 100% return. Not bad at all.

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Thanksgiving Decoration For Your Home - The Power of Stuffed Animals

Thanksgiving can be a great time of year. It's the start of the holiday season, a time for family and close friends to get together to appreciate each other and eat great food. Everyone has a great time enjoying each other's company. However, if you are the host or hostess for the event, Thanksgiving can be a great deal more stressful. You have a lot more work to do then just showing up ready to socialize. Of course you have to put together the dinner, but besides that you are responsible for cleaning up your home and decorating it appropriately for the season. This can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be. I'll share some tips to create a fun and seasonally appropriate atmosphere in your home, through the use of stuffed animals. Using these plush toys as an extra decorating tip can do a lot for creating the right look for Thanksgiving.

The first thing you should consider is color. Thanksgiving decorating revolves around fall colors. These include browns, oranges, rusty reds, and golden colors. Colors that you can see in all the beautiful fall foliage. First, pick out some animals that are naturally within this color rage, and get a few plush toys of those varieties. Look for things like stuffed foxes, stuffed bunnies, plush chipmunks, stuffed moose, and stuffed squirrels. Before you know it you'll have the perfect home decorations.

Overall Decorations for the Home

Here are a couple examples for you. You could get a stuffed fox of a rusty-red color and put it on your couch. This will certainly brighten up your room. Or, on the coffee table surrounding the lamp, you could place some fall-appropriate acorns and a plush squirrel or chipmunk. You should use toys that are more natural in color and appearance in order to get the best, most authentic result. You could also create a "salad bowl" to house a stuffed animal filled with leaves and pinecones from the great outdoors, and put this anywhere you need an extra decoration.

Dinner Table Decorations

You probably already have some typical dinner table decorations, such as turkeys and pumpkins. But you can add even more fall cheer by including some stuffed animals with these arrangements. For example, get a little stuffed beaver to hold one or more of the pumpkins. If you are using fall colors for everything to as recommended, then these should complement your dinnerware. You could also create a unique Thanksgiving centerpiece. You could get some nice fall flowers and add a stuffed animal. Also you could get some fall leaf vines, and attach them to some natural-looking brown teddy bears. Then, just wrap them with the vines around your guest chairs for festive holiday seating.

Extra Decorating Tips

Maybe you want to decorate your entrance on the outside so your guests know they have the right house. Just take a run of the mill autumn wreath and pair it with a stuffed bunny, so it looks like the bunny is on a swing. Or have the animal hold a welcome sign. Of course, this animal doesn't have to be a bunny. Use whatever type of plush toy you think would work best for you and your guests.

Remember, stuffed animals can be used in many ways to make your Thanksgiving truly special. Not only can they be used for decorations, but if you have any children coming for the holiday, they can play with them once dinner is over, and even take them home if you don't feel like storing them and using them next year in another new arrangement. Be creative, with fall colors and natural appearing plush toys, and you will have a beautifully decorated home for Thanksgiving.

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Webkinz Stuffed Animals - The Crazy Rage With Webkinz

Webkinz are very popular plush toys with a virtual reality effect. There is alot of excitement and rage going on when it comes to these furry little adorable animals. You have many people who are collecting webkinz as fast as they can buy them. They are bigger than the beanie babies. Remember that? Your webkinz will have a secret code.

A Webkinz is a plush toy that comes with a secret code. You will first have to adopt your webkinz. You are also adopting a virtual version of your pet for virtual interaction. The secret code that comes with your pet will allow you to care for your pet online.

Your plush pet can virtually come to life online where you can care for it just like if you have a real pet.

You can adopt as many webkinz as you like. You will receive an adoption certificate online. You can printed out.

When you purchase your webkinz, make sure it comes with a secret code. This secret code should be around your webkinz ankle. Make sure you do not purchase your webkinz without this secret code.

Once you have adopted your webkinz, you will be given a room, some food, some furniture and around $2000 in kinzcash. This kinzcash will help you in buying food and also some furniture for your pet's house to care for your pet online.

Having a webkinz teaches responsibility. Your webkinz will teach you how to care for your pet. How to keep your pet healthy and how to feed your pet the right foods. You will also learn how to budget and buy food, clothes, and furniture with your kinzcash. If your pet gets sick, the doctor at webkinz world will tell you what to do. You will learn how to care for you pet that's for sure.

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Sophisticated Soft Toys For Discerning Toddlers

Sophisticated soft toys are becoming a lifestyle accessory. What used to be the sole domain of teddy bears is now open to a wide variety of soft and cuddly animals ranging from lions and hippos to dogs and frogs. Soft, squishy, comfortable and irresistible modern day plush toys are a necessity for any discerning toddler and there are an endless amount of high quality stuffed animals on the market today to satisfy all types of baby boys and baby girls.

Jellycat, established in London in 1999 is one of the few trailblazing companies that see the value of squishy toys among today's infants and toddlers. For years parents have known how important a stuffed animal is to a newborn, how that raggedy teddy bear becomes a best friend, close companion and sleeping buddy from day one.

Where people see stuffing a threads babies see a friendly face that never lets them down. But as times change and designs advance children begin to expect more from their toys and simply patching together some colored fabrics is no way to accent a lifestyle accessory.

Every year hundreds, if not thousands, of new toy designs enter the marketplace and compete for the valuable attention of infants and toddlers. Staying current with the latest in fabrics and kid-friendly designs is essential to captivating the hearts and minds of tasteful children the world over.

In addition to safety and social responsibility in the use of fabrics and manufacturing methods soft toys have to retain a sense of humor that will engage youngsters and be the toy they can't live without.

You can find several top-rated plush toy manufacturers including Jellycat, Melissa & Doug and Haba that have a full selection of soft toys and stuffed animals that will charm and delight infant boys and girls. Made from eco-friendly and kid-safe fabrics and materials and constructed using a CPSC Certificate of Conformity to worldwide safety standards these adorable and plush animal toys, including monkeys, rabbits and lambs will make for great play mates, nap time friends and cuddle up buddies for babies and toddlers.

Soft toys are an essential part of the development process young kids go through as they help to provide comfort and support in a fast-paced world. When kids are nervous or feel out of place they will feel a lot better if their favorite soft toy character is there to stand by him. Studies have also shown how soft toys can assist babies when sleeping, be used to help toddlers eat and to overcome common fears among children including darkness and being left alone for short periods of time. With a high quality, sophisticated soft toy at your child's side there's no challenge he won't be able to overcome.

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Give Baby a Pretty and Practical Gift Basket

I can't think of anything that is more fun or uplifting than buying a gift for a baby. Just thinking of the perfect present for a newborn brings a smile to my face. The only difficulty is deciding which of the amazing and adorable baby gifts to buy. I always send a newborn baby gift basket, because it has an assortment of fun and practical items for baby and mom.

Why organic?

Because I'm an organic nut, I'm going to tell you about the organic baby gift baskets I send to all "my" babies. Selected for their purity and environmental friendliness, organic and natural baby products are my favorite gifts-truly "green" alternatives.

Organic is not just for food. Because babies' skin is so soft and delicate, you only want the safest and healthiest materials touching it. Plus, you want to make sure that toys, which babies handle and may put in their mouths, are also safe and free of toxins. Manufacturers use no herbicides, pesticides, chemicals, lead, or synthetics in the production of organic cotton. That's why is the best choice for baby items.

Organic baby gift baskets

Organic bunny dreams and monkey business baby gift baskets include the finest quality 100% organic cotton clothing, which is thick, soft, and stylish. Baskets contain two outfits, footed leggings, a gown, booties, and a romper. Topping off the basket is an adorable organic stuffed bunny or monkey.

Organic sweet pea baby gift baskets include an organic hooded towel and washcloth, a short-sleeved outfit and bodysuit, leggings, socks, bib, and reversible blanket-all with a sweet unisex sweet pea design. A cute 100% organic cotton plush toy frog rounds out the basket.

Other organic gift sets

Have you ever heard of a diaper cake? Picture this: Roll up 35 100% pure organic cotton biodegradable chlorine-free disposable diapers. Gather 20 of the diapers in a circle and wrap a ribbon around them. Now, gather the remaining 15 diapers in a smaller circle with a ribbon around them. Place the smaller circle on top of the larger circle and you have a two-tier diaper cake. Surround the cake with organic soap and lip balm for baby and soothing bath salts and body lotion for mom (or other organic products). And of course there's a 100% organic cotton plush animal toy for baby to hug.

Whoever thought of make bouquets out of baby clothes was a creative genius. Roll up a hat, socks, bib, t-shirt, and outfit into "roses" and you have a lovely organic bouquet that you will not want to take apart.

Personalized baby gifts

Personalizing your gift with the baby's name or initials makes it even more special.

Gifts for moms

Moms need gifts, too! In addition to the organic products included in some of the baskets, a new mom might appreciate personalized picture frames or a monogrammed diaper bag. What mother (or grandmother) wouldn't be thrilled with a personalized bracelet made of semi-precious stones or silver beads? They can add a strand with the name of each new baby.

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Small Business Success: Commitment One Piece of the Puzzle

Sustainable success for small businesses is very much like a puzzle with a lot of pieces. Every small business owner's success puzzle is different. What works for some doesn't always for works for others. Yet, one piece in everyone's success puzzle is commitment. The piece may be a different shape and size, but it is always present.

Commitment by its very nature implies some action to be taken to achieve a desire, a dream or what also can be called a goal. Think about a recent business achievement and your level of commitment. Then, think about a goal that wasn't successfully achieved and your level of commitment. Compare the two levels of commitment – were they the same or different?

For example, a colleague and myself publish a monthly newsletter Power Choices as part of our marketing plan. She and I are committed to creating value in this monthly newsletter based on our own goals, values and what we have learned from our readers. Sure, we could cite some statistics and write more research based or scholarly articles. However, would those actions actually add value by helping our readers realize that next level of success? I sincerely doubt it. Making this monthly commitment to be honest and share our personal experiences is what makes this newsletter unique.

As a small business evolves so does the level of commitment. Entrepreneurs are committed in the early years to working the business by wearing many different hats. As time passes, the business grows (hopefully), the commitment changes to working on the business while letting others work in the business.

Understanding how you define commitment and how you execute commitment is absolutely essential. For commitment is the one of the critical pieces to completing your own success puzzle.

During the last few years, I have spoken with numerous small business owners, level C executives and entrepreneurs. What I have learned is that no one wants to be a failure and yet everyone wants to be a success. Then, the simple question is: Why don’t we have more success? Remember: Most small businesses fail in the first couple of years

The answer to this question is multi-fold. However, commitment to doing the right thing at the right time in accordance with the right plan and aligned with the right values is always part of the answer or in the words of Peter Drucker "Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.”

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Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas - Gifts of Edible Delights

Eek, the stress of it all! Last minute holiday gift ideas can be a headache if you are at a loss for ideas. The gifts you decide upon will depend on who you want them for and why. Fun and fantastic Halloween gifts for the kids or gracious Thanksgiving gifts can help determine your gift giving needs for the fall season.

One idea that can help you out of this tight spot is quality and tasty holiday food gifts. Everyone likes to eat! Creative baskets are a sure-fire gift for families, neighbors, friends, coworkers and clients. The edible delights are bites of pure deliciousness. And, they are wrapped and designed in fun and festive works of art that you can feel proud of.

Those last minute holiday gift ideas come easily with Halloween gift baskets and Thanksgiving food gift baskets. Flavorful and stylish, quality creative baskets can be delivered directly to your recipients, making your holiday shopping, wrapping and deliveries a pleasant and fast experience.

Fun and tasty last minute holiday gift ideas for Halloween are:

ghostly boo baskets and bags filled with sweets for the big or little kids in your life, gives them a night of ghostly fun. Make your own boo ghost bags with white paper lunch sacks or make them out of fabrics. Use a black marker or crayon and fabrics to create the ghostly image. Fill it with edible delights for the kids and have a great Halloween.
jack o lantern containers filled to overflowing with Halloween gifts of sweet edible delights, will delight any spooky participant of Halloween night. Stuff a tee-shirt in the bottom and fill it up with edible delight the kids will love.
big bags of treats and plush toys for the ghost and goblins you know are spooktacular gifts of tasty goodies. Add a soft plush toy for the kids to remember how good Halloween treated them.

Last minute holiday gift ideas for Thanksgiving are:

autumn creative baskets filled with gourmet specialty goodies of vegetable dips, crackers, café lattes and many more edible delights are gift ideas for mom and dad, grandparents, and any other friend you know or just met.
fall snacks are perfect gifts when someone has made an impression on you or you want to make an impression on them. It is always nice to say thank you with gifts of good taste.
gourmet Thanksgiving food gift baskets are filled with scrumptious gifts of cheeses, meats, snacks and sweet treats that can be topped off with a cup of gourmet coffee. They are gifts of good taste for those last minute gifts of the season.

If you need fun Halloween gifts or ones of thankfulness, holiday creative baskets are the gifts you are looking for. Ghoulish or gourmet, creative baskets can come to the rescue for last minute holiday gift ideas.

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Give Baby a Pretty and Practical Gift Basket

I can't think of anything that is more fun or uplifting than buying a gift for a baby. Just thinking of the perfect present for a newborn brings a smile to my face. The only difficulty is deciding which of the amazing and adorable baby gifts to buy. I always send a newborn baby gift basket, because it has an assortment of fun and practical items for baby and mom.

Why organic?

Because I'm an organic nut, I'm going to tell you about the organic baby gift baskets I send to all "my" babies. Selected for their purity and environmental friendliness, organic and natural baby products are my favorite gifts-truly "green" alternatives.

Organic is not just for food. Because babies' skin is so soft and delicate, you only want the safest and healthiest materials touching it. Plus, you want to make sure that toys, which babies handle and may put in their mouths, are also safe and free of toxins. Manufacturers use no herbicides, pesticides, chemicals, lead, or synthetics in the production of organic cotton. That's why is the best choice for baby items.

Organic baby gift baskets

Organic bunny dreams and monkey business baby gift baskets include the finest quality 100% organic cotton clothing, which is thick, soft, and stylish. Baskets contain two outfits, footed leggings, a gown, booties, and a romper. Topping off the basket is an adorable organic stuffed bunny or monkey.

Organic sweet pea baby gift baskets include an organic hooded towel and washcloth, a short-sleeved outfit and bodysuit, leggings, socks, bib, and reversible blanket-all with a sweet unisex sweet pea design. A cute 100% organic cotton plush toy frog rounds out the basket.

Other organic gift sets

Have you ever heard of a diaper cake? Picture this: Roll up 35 100% pure organic cotton biodegradable chlorine-free disposable diapers. Gather 20 of the diapers in a circle and wrap a ribbon around them. Now, gather the remaining 15 diapers in a smaller circle with a ribbon around them. Place the smaller circle on top of the larger circle and you have a two-tier diaper cake. Surround the cake with organic soap and lip balm for baby and soothing bath salts and body lotion for mom (or other organic products). And of course there's a 100% organic cotton plush animal toy for baby to hug.

Whoever thought of make bouquets out of baby clothes was a creative genius. Roll up a hat, socks, bib, t-shirt, and outfit into "roses" and you have a lovely organic bouquet that you will not want to take apart.

Personalized baby gifts

Personalizing your gift with the baby's name or initials makes it even more special.

Gifts for moms

Moms need gifts, too! In addition to the organic products included in some of the baskets, a new mom might appreciate personalized picture frames or a monogrammed diaper bag. What mother (or grandmother) wouldn't be thrilled with a personalized bracelet made of semi-precious stones or silver beads? They can add a strand with the name of each new baby.

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Boat Cleaning Business - Bilge Clean-up Tips

These areas, like any other car engine and compartment that you may come across, can either be very clean, or be extremely greasy, dirty and grimy. Remember to mention the difficulty in locating fuel, oil or water leaks on a dirty leaky bilge. You will need to take extreme caution when doing in the bilge area as there are extra switches and wiring, like you might find underneath in a car engine. It's critical to avoid damaging any of these as they are extremely expensive, roughly two to three times the cost of a comparable car part. You'll also have to be cautious of getting any of the waste water spilled out into the fresh water if you're doing it in open water. If this happens you’ll be violating The Federal Clean Water Act of 1972 and your City, County and State’s NPDES permit.

To clean the bilge area, you're going to need a shop vac, that is one that you don't care for very much. Probably an old one because it's going to be sucking up nasty oily water, and it's not something you want to transfer into a nice carpeted area. The hose area will get greasy and grimy. So invest, or if you've got an old one hanging around, use that shop vac for reclaiming the water that's going to be produced inside the bilge area after cleaning. Be sure to remove vacuum bag from the filter before using it to suck up any waste water. The most important thing is to constantly check the water level while working. You will need a small handheld wash brush, a sponge or two, some detail brushes for getting into some crevices, a good paint-safe degreaser, one that's diluted down to be paint-safe, some engine dressing for hoses and surrounding parts that can be dressed. You'll also need some plastic baggies or large plastic covers and large rubber bands (much like doing a car engine underneath the hood) to cover the distributor or any other sensitive electrical parts. Do not use aluminum foil to cover parts. Soap near by areas in case degreaser gets deflected onto areas of painted surfaces or aluminum heads where discoloration may occur.

Also, before beginning, realize that the boat's bilge pump can come on. Once it reaches a certain level, a float switch will send water flowing out the outside of the boat usually high up just below the rub rail. So you'll want to perhaps rig a bucket on the outside of the boat to catch anything that might spill out that you can't catch. Periodically, you're going to have to stop the progress of work to pump it out with your shop vac. Especially in those cases where you're working over water, the fines can be hefty and you do not want to pollute with the oily, greasy water that's going to be produced when cleaning a bilge. Use the minimum amount of water necessary and you'll minimize problems associated with cleaning the engine compartments and bilges in these boats. Set your pressure washer at 1200-2000 PSI and 180 degrees and work in short and accurate bursts whenever possible, if you do not have one use gunk, but if you can rent one it is a better idea.

We recommend if possible a ‘surfactant’ type water soluble degreaser. Make sure the area is well vented. When applying dressing make sure the engine is cool and dry. If you decide this job is too difficult expect your costs should be about $50 for single engine boats, $100 if reclaim is necessary. Twin engine boats from $80 to $100 for small boats. Large boats or extremely greasy boats from $100 to $400 depending on condition and reclaim time. Pay special attention when working in tight compartment areas because of cuts on knuckles, knees and arms. Lots of sharp edges. The fiberglass often comes apart and/or is lazy cut and unfinished. Don’t stick your hands where you can not see them. Wear leather gloves.

Step By Step Processes

First, begin by covering any of the sensitive electrical parts, the distributor, any main electrical boxes, the battery switches which are sometimes found in the bilge area. Spray some paint-safe degreaser on the valve covers and on the top portions of the engine in the crevices where you'll find grease. Usually underneath or immediately underneath the sides of the engine, it'll be heavier in those areas as well. Spray and let degreaser sit for a bit to work in. Then hit with your pressure washer if available to clean up the areas sprayed with degreaser. Scrub where you're able to reach carefully, and be very careful where you place your hands or your feet, as it is sometimes a tricky area to work in but you have to be very careful not to break anything underneath. As mentioned, the parts are extremely expensive and if something goes really wrong in an engine compartment, you could possibly damage the boat so that it sinks. So, you have to be extremely careful.

Never exert too much pressure on the manifolds. Although they seem solid they may not actually be as solid as they look. If you were to break one of them the boat could take on water and sink. And that's going to create a big problem. So once again caution, and being extremely careful and sensitive to that engine area is critical. Remember as you are taking water into the bilge you need to be taking it out with the shop vac as you are cleaning just to make sure it does not get above the float level and start spilling out. Use extreme caution when doing this or the fines can be hefty on this one.

Once you have drained the water out of the bilge area, take a large nasty terry cloth towel that you've had sitting around that you don't want to take care of anymore, your nastiest towel, use that to wipe down any areas that were extremely thick with grease and/or oil. Use this towel to also dry and remove right underneath the engine areas as there will sometimes be some residual moisture. Continue on by using a water base only, never ever a solvent-based dressing, to condition and renew some of the rubber underneath in the engine area, some of the hoses, the black parts, the black areas. Once again, never ever use a solvent base as this is a flammable material and if a boat fire starts, you can cause severe injury or possible death to the passengers of the boat or you can cause the boat to sink if an engine fire takes place inside a boat. So, never ever use anything with a solvent base as a dressing in an engine compartment.

If you are using a garden hose be careful of the gallon per minute rate at which water comes out of the hose. One of our Washington competitors in Carillon Point Harbor nearly sank a 29 foot Sea Ray. He left the water running while cleaning the cockpit and dashboard. Batteries all dead, electrical system shot. He would have lost the entire boat except luckily the dock master had a bailing bucket and water pump

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A 2 in 1 Plush Hamster - Get a Toy and a Pet

Does your son/daughter like a pet but you do not have the enough time for it? Well, here's Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters. These huggable creatures are famous among kids because these are the worlds very first inter-active plush toy hamsters. When you're a kid you possibly have a hamster.

Do you remember the fuss? Washing its cage? Not remembering to give food to him or her? Or biting you because you had not petted your hamster for a few weeks? All that can be prevented with Zhu Zhu Hamsters. These pets are inter-active so they react to your kid who will simply love their cuddliness.

These lovely stuffed tiny creatures are the ideal gifts for kids who are not permitted to get real live pets. They are also for children who are too young to have their own real live pets. Actual hamsters can be less expensive than Zhu Zhu Hamster but by giving your son/daughter his or her own inter-active toy plush pet, he or she would learn reliability at an early age and you will have approved the craving for a pet.

Not only do these plush pets interact with children but they as well interact with the accessories that are located in their cage. The hairy rodents run using it. They even produce talking sounds. When they're in the comfort room, they produce toilet flushing noises.

These Hamster Pets function on loving mode. They let their owners pet them, love them, and scold them also. They also squeak and talk back. One mode for the cuddly stuffed toys is the explore mode. They scamper, dance, and bump as well as scoot across the floor to be familiar with their Hamster Habitat.

And there's not just 1 Zhu Zhu hamster, there are 4. Pipsqueek is cute gold guy/girl w/ a white whirl on his/her back. Mr. Squiggles is light brown with a lighter brown whirl. Chuck is white and Num Num is gray. These creatures can be bought individually or in a dual pack of 2.

There are transport cases, four different colors of blankies and beds, an adventure ball the hamsters can play inside, a vehicle, a wheel similar to live hamsters.

This toy is only for four years old and above. But you should still take note that the Hamster Pets code reader must be handled with care. They function really well on solid and hard planes. They aren't familiar w/ carpet so they might not function.

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Promoting Your Business With Custom Plush Toys

Looking for a unique, creative way to promote your business or product? Want something prospective clients will find appealing and memorable? Try a custom-made plush toy!

The Advantages of Custom Plush

As a business owner, you want to stand out. A plush toy replica of your mascot, owner, or product will attract attention among the proliferation of calendars, pens, and business cards. Unlike a card, it will be displayed, not forgotten in a pocket. Unlike an ad, it won't capture the customer's attention-only to be forgotten minutes later. Your toy makes your business visible. A customer searching through the list of plumbers in the phone book is more likely to remember the company whose mascot is a bear wielding a wrench. If that bear is realized in a plush toy, the business becomes even more memorable. Your toy is the "face" of your business. It creates an image of your organization: accessible, friendly, and caring. This is especially useful if people find your business intimidating, such as dentistry or automotive repair. Plush is also versatile. You can create any item imaginable: sporting goods, buildings, tools, vehicles, etc. Custom plush also comes in many forms, such as magnets, ornaments, "fuzzy dice," or key chains.

Promoting with Your Custom Stuffed Toy

There are many ways you can use a plush toy to promote your business. Hand them out when you make sales calls. Mail small items to potential customers, along with your business information. Scatter them as decorations throughout your showroom; allow children to play with them while customers browse. Offer them for sale as souvenirs of a restaurant, B&B, museum, or other tourism-related business. Selling your product from a booth at a farmer's market, antique show, fair, or flea market? Offering your company mascot attracts children and reminds customers who to contact when they need your services again. If you have a brick-and-mortar operation, sell your custom toy at the register, or give them away as premiums. A dentist or physician can award small toys for a good check-up (or to soothe an anxious child). Hospitals can use them to comfort young patients. Hand out a small custom-made plush toy in your salon to commemorate that first haircut. Promotion possibilities are endless!

Choosing Your Plush Toy

First, have a clear vision of your toy. Create a memorable mascot which reflects your business; "test market" it with friends and trusted customers for feedback. To avoid copyright issues, make sure your mascot isn't too similar to that of another company.

Now it's time to find a producer for your stuffed toy. Choose a company with a reputation for quality and reliability. Check their online gallery for examples of past work. Ensure your toy is made with safe, long-lasting materials and quality workmanship. Ask about customer support: will the company provide you with marketing ideas, and be available to answer questions? Finally, hire a company which includes you in every step of the design process, working closely with you until your custom-made plush toy matches your vision.

Explore the promotional possibilities of plush products!

Do It Yourself