Bear-y worth it!!!!
Written: Oct 31 '03
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Pros: always fun no matter ho wmany times you've done it, great personalized gift
Cons: addictive
The Bottom Line: Great thing every child should be able to do at least once.
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| mom2emma's Full Review: Build-A-Bear Stuffed Bear |
The excitement of a child makes this so worth it, a child somehow bonds more, loves more, something they can take pride in having helped create.
I just got back from making bears # 18 and #19 at the Grand Opening of our very own Build-A-Bear store. I figured at that it was about time to write a reveiw. We first found out about BAB while visiting family in Palm Beach where they have had BAB for years. The girls made one (and since several more) there. They have made them when we discovered another BAB while outlet shopping in NC, while on vacation in Myrtle Beach, and though their grandparents did not know their addicion, they even received ones their grandparents made for them. How sweet of a gift is that from a set of grandparents they cannot see often, a cub condo with a fully dressed bear that they specially made and named themselves complete with birth certificate and a sound chip that says "I Love You". Or what about a graduation gift? you can buy a cap and gown or for college they have local college T shirts; baby gift? they have baby blankets, bottles, sleepers, etc; recital gift? they have dance costumes; soccer playoffs? they have soccer uniforms; girl scout bridging? they have the various levels of girl scout vests; need I go on. On their website you can even have things personalized or for the older girl you can buy the girl and bear matching outfits (girl outfits purchased at Limited Too).
Anyway let me get into the details. First you chose your animal, animals range from $10-$25, from bears, including limited editions for holidays and/or for good charitable causes to limited edition endangered animals that benefit the World Wildlife Fund (you do get a certificate in the mail later to thank you for helping) or Kennel Pals (puppies) to benefit the Humane Society.
After you chose you have to decide if you want to add a sound clip. They have everything from "I Love you" to animals sounds, lullabies, medlies, or you can even record your own message (again an AWESOME idea for relatives who sadly cant see the kids often), they range in additional price from $3-$8.
From their you are helped by a Bear Builder to stuff your bear. Even the littlest kids can help step on the peddle to stuff their bears and hug them to make sure they are cuddly enough; too hard they can take out stuffing, too floppy, they will add more until he is perfect. You can even have them restuffed as they are "loved" for free at any Build a Bear location. Then you need to insert their "heart" which the kids warm, kiss and make a wish on. For various holidays they add extra items such as a shamrock, etc. Then they add the UPC code and tie him up.
From there you go to the fluffing and grooming station. A giant bathtub shaped place where you can set your bear and turn on the "blower" shower to fluff him, they also have brushes you can decorate them with. In addition you can get ribbons and bows in numurous different colors to add to your bear, bows are free and you can always come back for more free if you lose them.
From there you can chose to buy clothes and/or accesories for your animal. Of course this is additional, but optional. Things such as specialized bows (ie holiday shapes, etc) start at $1.50, panties at $3, shirts and shorts at $5, etc. They have everything you could need, bear furniture, clothes, shoes, all the different themes, dog beds, leashes and accessories, things for "baby" bears, etc.
From there you go to name your bear. You scan his UPC, enter his name and your contact information into the computer. You add your contact information in case your bear is ever lost. The tag of your bear has info to please return to any BAB if found. At BAB they can open him up and scan the UPC to get your contact info to get the bear back to you. Here you also chose whether you want a birth certificate for your animal or one of the various personalized stories.
Next is the not as fun part, paying. You do at this point get a pet carrier, known as the cub condo, to take your animal home in or a armoire if you are only buying clothes. They do have various specials and coupons for added free things in the year, I have even got outfits for $3 on special. They also have a frequent buyer card which can earn you $10 free after spending $100.
They also do birthday parties, scout specials (including a patch), etc. The staff at every one I have been to has been nice, friendly, and enthusiastic. I think the biggest con is the addiction. Even the price isn't bad, they are high quality bears and yet even with the added fun are the same price as something you would buy at any toy or stationary store and a lot cheaper than big name brands like Gund and Eden.
I hope I covered everything.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 10-25
Type of Toy: Stuffed Toy
Age Range of Child: Whole Family
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Epinions.com ID:
mom2emma
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Location: sc
Reviews written: 298
Trusted by: 29 members
About Me:
Shop and researchaholic to all baby and children's products.
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