I remember the first time I passed a Build-a-Bear Workshop. I thought, “What a cute idea, but I am sure it is ridiculously overpriced and gimmicky.” Then someone gave Lily a gift certificate to get a bear for Christmas. So she went and I went along with my full on skeptic attitude. Lily loved it. Majorly loved it and her adorable giraffe she made still sits on her bed on the occasion that she actually makes it (note to self: Obama makes his girls make their beds, how is it you can’t find the time or energy?).
There is something about creating something that is unique and special to just your child that makes their eyes light up. Now I realize there are other stuffed giraffes floating around, but are they dressed up like a fairy princess and named after Lily’s earliest and most precious childhood friend? Doubtful.
What I didn’t know is the Build-A-Bear has some special things up its sleeves for the Christmas season. A few adorable limited edition animals including a cute pair of moose (really, really resisting the urge to say mooses or meece) who are accompanied by a Christmas storybook. “Holly and Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure”to be exact. And it is free when you buy the pair of meece (resist failed) which is a $40 value for only $24.
There are tons of non-hoilday animals you can make too and they start as low as $10. Of course things start adding up when your hubby starts eyeing the Red Wings hockey outfit that he can dress the bear in. But we just keep things affordable by setting a price limit or allowing Lily to dig into her allowance money. You can also record a sound message to play each time the animal is hugged.
Another thing new in the Build-A-Bear world is Build-A-Bearville where your child can play games, decorate a Cub Condo and buy all sorts of things in online currency. Smart thinking, jumping on the Webkinz band wagon. Lily loves playing Webkinz games so I am super excited to show her this site when she gets her moose at Christmas.
Need a last minute Christmas gift? Speaking from experience, get some Bear Bucks gift cards. The great thing is that you aren’t just getting a toy, you are getting a memorable experience. You can see if there is a workshop near you or you can order online. Just know that some of the prices may seem higher online because some of the animals are already dressed in outfits.
The best part of all? I have a $10 Bear Buck gift card to give away to a lucky reader. You can keep it to have some fun with your kids or give it away as a Christmas gift. Since we are inching ever so close to Christmas, I am going to keep the contest short. You have until midnight this Saturday, December 20th to enter. I will contact the winner on Sunday and get it mailed right out. To enter simply leave a comment telling me what your favorite Build-A-Bear animal is. I am telling you, this zebra had me at hello.
But wait, that’s not all. We’ll also throw in a set of steak knives. No, I am just kidding. Steak knives and stuffed animals seems as though it would be in poor taste. Not that poor taste is off limits around these parts. I digress. But you can get an extra entry by participating in Things I Love Thursday. Simply write a post on your blog about something you love and link back up over here. You can find more info about how to that here. All I ask is that in addition to signing the Mr. Linky with the link to your post, you leave an additional comment saying you do so. Redundant? Yes, but it makes it so much easier to draw a winner from the numbered comments. And easy is how I prefer it during the crazy holiday season.
*Comments have been closed. Random.org has spoken. Congrats to Mama Mia (The Diaper Diaries longest and most faithful reader) for her win.
Got it? Comment. Link up. Comment again. Win stuff. Enjoy.
Kate
says:
My oldest loves build-a-bear and the younger ones are now at a point where they would really enjoy it too.
Since all of the kids have a minor dog obsession lately, I’d have to say that the beagle is my favorite. I can already hear my 20 month old barking in its face!
Kates last blog post..Bloggy Progressive Dinner – Main Course
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December 18th, 2008 at 12:12 am
Kate
says:
I linked up in Mr. Linky with a “Things I Love” post too.
Kates last blog post..Bloggy Progressive Dinner – Main Course
[Reply]
December 18th, 2008 at 12:13 am
The Happy Housewife
says:
My kids love build a bear, me not so much. I am glad my kids love it, but I am anti stuffed animals around here. My son does have a very cute Koala that he made a few years back so I guess that would have to be my favorite.
Toni
The Happy Housewifes last blog post..Salmon Turnovers
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December 18th, 2008 at 12:17 am
katherine
says:
with a not-yet-14-month-old, we’re new to build-a-bear, but i too love the zebra you linked. how cute!!
and, in our house, the plural of moose is moosen.
katherines last blog post..so, maybe i am a runner
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December 18th, 2008 at 12:20 am
Someone Being Me
says:
I love the 16 in. Dimples Teddy. Too adorable.
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December 18th, 2008 at 12:24 am
Krista
Twitter: marriedlife
says:
I think my son would love the scruffy puppy!
Kristas last blog post..Snowy Weekend
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December 18th, 2008 at 1:13 am
PolkaDotMommy
says:
Sheesh… it’s not even Thursday yet for me and you’re already posted.
I LOVE that zebra as well… I was just telling hubby (while looking at my cutesy, makes me want to spend $ mailer) that I wanted him for my very own. Not for the kids… for ME!
One daughter has a Hello Kitty + ballet clothes… One has a super adorable pink leopard kitty + denim skirt outfit, son has a cuddly bear in camo with Daddy’s voice recorded… think other daughter has a bunny, but now can’t remember.
I love Build A Bear…
[Reply]
December 18th, 2008 at 1:32 am
Jenny from Mommin' It Up!
says:
*slight problem Jill* this is what I was going to do for TILT today!! NOW WHAT???? Geez. Thanks alot. and BAH HUMBUG!
Jenny from Mommin’ It Up!s last blog post..It’s not easy being Santa.
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December 18th, 2008 at 8:59 am
jean
says:
I’ve managed to stay away from that store as all those animals are so friggin cute!!! And I have a weakness for stuffed animals. But all that to say is that my two each have a bear (Kate and Pancake) with a “roar” in their paw. That Hal Moose is absolutely adorable!!! Think I’m going to need to find where the Build-A-Bear is around here!
jeans last blog post..1st snow
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December 18th, 2008 at 11:02 am
nicolerenae
says:
I love the Hello Kitty! But, my daughter has been to build-a-bear, and neither of my boys have, so I’d probably let one of them use the gift card…so I’m sure they wouldn’t pick Hello Kitty.
[Reply]
December 18th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Brooke
says:
i made my niece my favorite build-a-bear animal – a white bear named “her royal highness the princess of nashbrook
Brookes last blog post..Things I love Thursday – my stove
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December 18th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Brooke
says:
and i’ve linked up m TILT post about my stove.
Brookes last blog post..Things I love Thursday – my stove
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December 18th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Lesley
says:
We did this when my daughter was too young to really understand it. So now she wants to go again. She keeps seeing the 2 moose on tv and I think that would be so cute. I have a new baby boy and would give him the boy and her the girl. I love the idea that you can get both and a book! Amazing deal!
)
Lesleys last blog post..Wow!
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December 18th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Gina
says:
I think my three year old would enjoy this so much. She loves dolls and stuffed animals.
Ginas last blog post..TCP: Stuff I Like
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December 18th, 2008 at 11:29 am
mom_of2boys
says:
I like the yellow lab…it looks like our puppy that we had to get rid of. =( My 4 year old would love it!
I also linked up with Things I Love Thursday!
mom_of2boyss last blog post..Things I Love Thursday – Hollywood Fashion Tape
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December 18th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Erin G
says:
I think I like the white tiger best, though nathan would surely go for the monkey. I also like hal with the lighted antlers – cute!
I have been thinking about doing this with nathan sometime in 2009, so I would LOVE to win this gift card!
Erin Gs last blog post..First Steps!
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December 18th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Dani
says:
I’ve never built a bear before but I’m pretty sure my 3 year old would adore something in there!
Danis last blog post..Apple Pie
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December 18th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Laura
says:
Alas, it has been so long since I’ve ventured into Build-A-Bear that I have no idea what their selection might be other than, you know, bears. But my soon-to-be 4 year old daughter would squeal and declare all of them her favorites if I took her.
[Reply]
December 18th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Hotomom
says:
I would like to enter please. My favorite animal at Build A Bear has to be the puppy that my son made a couple months ago, with his floppy ears. We dressed him in a Batman costume so he is referred to as bat puppy.
Hotomoms last blog post..The Mom Song
[Reply]
December 18th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
mom_of2boys
says:
I linked in my Things I Love Thursday.
mom_of2boyss last blog post..Old Orchard Coupons
[Reply]
December 18th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Sarah @ Short Stop
says:
I LOVE that Lil’ Honey Cub. Looks like Lincoln.
I’m gonna have to take the boys. I bet they’d love it.
Thank you the giveaway! Very, very cool!
Sarah @ Short Stops last blog post..GIVEAWAY: Signed Copy of Jon and Kate Plus 8’s Book – Multiple Blessings
[Reply]
December 18th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Stephanie
says:
I checked out the website. I’ve got to agree with you. That zebra is extra cute =)
[Reply]
December 18th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Elaine@bloginmyeye
says:
I’m all about Hello Kitty. My dd’s all about the bunnies.
Elaine@bloginmyeyes last blog post..The sweetest little “want list” ever
[Reply]
December 18th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Candace (Mama Mia)
says:
I’ve wanted to take my daughter on a date to do this. I think that she would love it!
Candace (Mama Mia)s last blog post..My eyes are burning
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December 18th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
lisa e
says:
I like the Chilly Cheeks Penguin! It reminds me of my daughter!
lisa es last blog post..I got stuff from the Gumdrop Cookie Shop
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December 18th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
anne
Twitter: sweetanne
says:
These guys are all so stinking cute!! My fav is probably the Scruffy Puppy. Plus, my babe can only do one animal sound right now and it’s “woof!” hee hee
[Reply]
December 18th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
debbie
says:
I gotta get back to doing this on Thursdays. This week I was distracted by my 100th post. But that is no excuse!
debbies last blog post..By popular demand – A week in my life
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December 18th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Rhen @yestheyareallmine
says:
The dark brown teddy bear. So soft and so cute! I got my TILT going on too!
Rhen @yestheyareallmines last blog post..Pregnancy: Week 21
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December 18th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
anne
Twitter: sweetanne
says:
Linky, Mr. Linky…la la la la la la dee dah!
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December 19th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Megan
says:
I must say that I was a skeptic about BABW but then we took my daughter there for her 6th Bday. What an awesome store!!! I am hooked. We even ended up getting my son the Brown Sugar Puppy for his 1/2 birthday (so as to not be left out)…we got the sweater vest for the puppy (I am a sucker for a sweater vest) and named him Argyle!!! LOVE IT!!!
[Reply]
December 19th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Char
says:
Love me some build a bear! Well, actually Clare does
Chars last blog post..Hopcat – Review
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December 20th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Jenny from Mommin' It Up!
says:
Dear Jill,
I would like to win this giveaway so I can take Sophie to pick out some clothes for her naked Hello Kitty. Please pick me and stop feline nudity!
Love, jenny
Jenny from Mommin’ It Up!s last blog post..Meltdown in Aisle Five
[Reply]
December 20th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Jackie
says:
I hope I win! Thanks!!
[Reply]
December 20th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Gina from Queen Rabbit's Realm
says:
My son’s bear is naked so this could get him a snazzy new outfit!
reg8w@aol.com
Gina from Queen Rabbit’s Realms last blog post..TCP: Stuff I Like
[Reply]
December 20th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Hotomom
says:
Here’s my extra entry. Thanks for stopping by.
Hotomoms last blog post..The Polar Express
[Reply]
December 20th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Jen Torresson
says:
Enter me in the drawing please! Jill you are so wonderful- Happy holidays
[Reply]
December 20th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Candace (Mama Mia)
says:
Okay- here’s my extra comment
.
Candace (Mama Mia)s last blog post..Things I Love Thursday- Wristlet Coin Pouch
[Reply]
December 20th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Jessica W.
says:
Oh by the way, We are in loveeee with build a bear. I gave my husband an elephant (since he is a republican)dressed in a suit and tie with a brief case so cuteeeeeee and it said I love you when you pressed his tummy. And we took our boy in for a build a bear when he turned 2 and he still has it and sleeps with it…it’s his “Nico” bear…it is so cute with a surfer t-shirt and shorts. But sadly we have not taken our baby girl yet. I think she will get hers by her 2nd birthday.
Jessica
[Reply]
December 20th, 2008 at 7:49 pm