Great gift idea!
This past weekend, like we do every Saturday, my two daughters
and I went to the mall. It is one day just the three of us can
spend some "girl time" shopping, looking at clothes, and have
lunch. All week they've been asking to visit a new store that
recently opened... "Build-a-bear". I've checked them out online
and they seemed over-priced, but I went anyway.
I was impressed.
It was actually very fun.
First you pick out a Bear (or cat or dog etc). It's just an
empty stuffed toy. My oldest, 12 years old, picked a soft tan
teddy bear aka READ BEAR, and my youngest, 6 years old, picked a
white cat, aka SASSY KITTY.
Then we waited in line with other eager children and their limp,
unstuffed bears, cats and dogs. While waiting in line you can
see displays of clothing, shoes, accessories, costumes and
more... all for your bear.
After a 10-15 minute wait in line, we reach the "Stuffing
station" - They hook your bear up to a machine and add the
stuffing! The kids get to step on a foot paddle to work the
machine. When stuffed, they add a little heart...but not until
the kids make a wish, and add things like love, smarts etc etc
to it. Then the heart is added to the insides and sewn up. You
even get to choose the softness of your toy!
Next the best part!! Clothes shopping! My kids got one complete
outfit each. But now I know what to tell friends and relatives
to get them for christmas! Build-a-bear gift cards, or a new
outfit are wonderful unique gift ideas for kids! Now it will be
easier to shop for those kids who "have everything".
Before checking out, you visit a few more stations, naming, and
dressing (we didn't dress them there, we took them home to
dress-up). The kids even get a gift certificate with their bears
name and birth date. At checkout the kids get an adorable little
"home" or box for there new friend, shaped like a house.
You can visit the build a bear workshop webpage at
http://www.buildabear.com/ to find a store near you, buy gift
cards/bear bucks, or just have a look at what they have to offer.
By the way, I do not work for build-a bear, I am just a big fan
of their incredible product/service and hope to share this
unique gift idea!
For more gift ideas visit my website at http://bargains-101.com