Having that one stuffed animal that never leaves the bed after years and years is a habit many children follow even into adulthood. When 4 in 10 adults have been found to still sleep with a stuffed animal, it’s clear that their popularity doesn’t fade through adulthood (Time). This pattern continues with the growing popularity of stuffed animals like Jellycats, Build-a-Bear, and even Ikea stuffed animals. As social media is constantly going through cycles of trending products, the widespread popularity of plush animals can be easily attributed to that.  

Besides being a symbol of childhood, stuffed animals undoubtedly offer a sense of comfort that psychology can support. While it sounds implausible, psychologists have found that sleeping with stuffed animals helps develop a child’s sense of security. The comforting plush can help teenagers and adults destress (The Oracle).

That being said, the hype undoubtedly comes from stuffed animals’ progression from a toy to more of a collector’s item. Priced at an average of $30, Eunice Kim (11) best summarizes the brand saying, “I really like Jellycats because it feels like reliving my childhood with their cute smiles and companionship, and they’re high quality.” The plushies are not toys for younger children, but collectibles for adults and teens who may want a keepsake rather than something soft to sleep with. Their sales and popularity continue to soar as the brand often releases plushies for the season and holiday, further promoting their status as collectibles. 

Much like everything else in the modern world, social media plays a big part in the popularity of stuffed animals. People on social media have advertised new Jellycat collections without paid partnerships or displayed their vast collections. The brand acknowledges its status as more geared towards an older population as it advertises plushies for all ages. The in-store experience, too, has been integrated to boost sales and popularity. Jellycat stores with food themes and stuffed animals as “food” have appeared in London, Los Angeles, and Paris (Los Angeles Times High School Insider). 

While Jellycats are currently in the spotlight, Build-A-Bear has also been greatly popular over the years. Build-A-Bear was another plush brand that grew popular due to its overall experience. The brand has collaborated with Sanrio, Pokemon, and Peanuts, further boosting its sales. Undoubtedly, the experience of customizing a personal plush for oneself or a loved one is the best part. As every step of its creation is personalized with a choice of animal, clothing, sound, and even scent choices, the ease of personalization is Build-A-Bear’s highest selling point.

Of course, just as Gavin Esqueda (10) says, “I’ve always liked animals! They’ve always been a core part of who I was growing up and I guess it never left me. I especially like keeping stuffed animals of my favorite animals just because they bring me joy and comfort; reminding me of simpler times.” The primary factor in the popularity of Jellycats and other stuffed animals is their nostalgia factor. Stuffed animals are symbols of comfort and childhood carried from childhood to later life. The ability to indulge in a high-quality, personalized plush that can be a memory of more youthful times is something that modern brands allow us to treat ourselves with. At the end of a long day, nothing is more comforting than coming home to a comfy bed with a comforting stuffed animal as the perfect resting companion.