Advantages:
Beanie babies are affordable, small, understuffed, bean filled toys that are enjoyed by children and adults as a toy and/or collectible, that can bring great pleasure to the receiver .
Disadvantages:
Collecting can become addicting, but is that really so bad?
About me:I live in rural Alaska - USA. My hobbies include Alaska Native beadwork, quilt piecing, crafts, and ...
Member since:08.04.2001
Reviews:1
Review rated by 14 Ciao members on average: very helpful
This review received a counterstatement by a party concernedRead Comment
Now why would a person want to continue to purchase these little bean bag filled toys? That is a question many have asked themselves over the past 3-5 years. I can only answer this question for myself.
Some background first: I became addicted to these cute little critters immediately after I purchased a cute little brown moose called 'Chocolate' and a bald eagle called 'Baldy' in May of 1998. My excuse for buying them in the first place was to add Chocolate to my mother's extensive moose collection, and Baldy because "Eagle" is where my mother is from! Then I did some research about these Ty Beanie Babies on the internet and discovered a bear named 'Peace.' I was HOOKED.
In addition to the ones I have on display, I now have several rubbermaid plastic storage boxes filled with these cute little critters. My son told me in December of 1998 that I should sell off my collection then because the bottom of the beanie market was going to drop out and I would just be stuck with a bunch of little stuffed animals! Now that may be true - but I love the little critters and have enjoyed all the time it has taken to accumulate them, especially the wonderful friends I have met and made during this endeaver.
What is the attraction that would cause this addiction? Beanie babies are affordable, small, understuffed, bean filled toys that are made to look like animals. Children can save their allowance to purchase their favorite beanie, adults can easily justify purchasing 1 or 2 at a time because they are in-expensive collectible toys. Their appearance is attractive and they are well-made. Whether you like bears, sea creatures, rabbits, or jungle animals, there is usually a beanie that catches your attention.
To give each one an identity, each is given a name that is printed on the tush tag and inside the hang tag which is attached to the toy. The hang tag is an eye catching heart-shaped folded tag with a red background, gold foil trimmed, and white letters "ty" prominate on its front. Inside is information on "Ty" locations, the beanie name, a poem specially written for it, and its birthdate. The back of the hang tag reminds the reader to remove the tag if given to child, indicates that the toy is for ages 3 and up, and has the UPC code. All this combines to provide the buyer with all the information about that particular bean bag toy.
Each beanie is made of fabric in distinctive colors and some have a ribbon and/or emblem that helps to make it special. The soft feel of the fabric, the way that the beanie molds or poses, and the special features of each combine to make each one appealing. Plus - when you hug a beanie, it seems as though it hugs you back! The beanie has become not only a child's toy, but also a collector's item that both children and adults enjoy.
So back to my original question: why would a person want to continue to purchase these little bean bag filled toys? Some would say that because of my addiction in collecting beanie babies, I have lost it. My response is "what is 'it'"? For me, the answer to why I collect beanie babies is simple - I love and enjoy collecting them.
In summary - I recommend the purchase of beanie babies as a toy or collectible gift for both children (ages 3 and up) and adults.
I collect beanies too - & Attics, Kids, buddies, teenies - & have over 250. I love them too & my kids collect them. Do you use the BritBeanz yahoogroup? If not, I'd recommend it. BritBeanz-subscribe@yahoogroup.com
![5 Various Beanie Ty Babies [Toy]](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/icons/no_pic_generic_S1.gif){kind=icon}
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08.04.2001 18:53
well done on a good first op, and thanks for the insight on the world of beanie babies!! Candice
08.04.2001 13:40
I collect beanies too - & Attics, Kids, buddies, teenies - & have over 250. I love them too & my kids collect them. Do you use the BritBeanz yahoogroup? If not, I'd recommend it. BritBeanz-subscribe@yahoogroup.com
08.04.2001 13:31
I have three beanie babies looking at me from my monitor.