There are special moments in our childrens lives that we like to mark by buying them a special gift, something to treasure. Personally the best gifts I have given my children have been the ones that have been unexpected, the little treats that we have surprised the children with.
The other evening my son decided that he was old enough to face the wild outdoors and asked if he could camp out in the garden. I was a little worried about letting him do this until my daughter offered to camp out with him.Watching them drag their bedding down the stairs in their dressing dressing gowns, I suddenly spied something pink and furry hanging by my daughters side.Her old mouldy pink teddy bear, given to her on the day she was born.Fifteen years later it is still a comfort to her and still as special now, as it was when she was a toddler.

I got to thinking about this incredible store that has recently been added to the shopping centre in town.For those of you that don't know me I live in Nottingham.

The bear factory......A speciality store where you can buy all kinds of teddybears and soft toys.....Oh, but it is so much more than that.Let me give you a guided tour.

I have to tell you first of all that I collect teddybears and so this store is a delight for me, but even if these furry little cuddlies are not your thing there is plenty of fun to be had in this shop.

In the doorway to the shop is a huge great big bear,man sized and dressed in a shirt, trousers and a waistcoat. ( You can buy one just like him if you have a fancy, but your purse will be £500 lighter )
The shop itself is extremely bright and attractive and there are bears everywhere.
Soft velvety bears, tight curly bears, light bears, dark bears, bears with specticles, bears with shoes.
Then there are the other cuddly toys, little pink pigs, rabbits, puppy dogs, monkeys and seasonal offerings too like reindeers.
I am that kid in a toyshop now and I want a bear.
I reach into one of the wooden crates,strategically placed at just the right height for little hands, and I pull out the bear that I have decided to buy.
Typical.
Trust me to pull out the only broken teddy in the box. This one is no good it has no stuffing. I put it back and delve for another.Another reject. I am getting annoyed now, all these bears and I can't find one that works.

"Excuse me madam, is everything ok?"
A store assistant, dressed the same as the huge teddy that greeted us at the door of the shop, is standing beside me with a really warm and welcoming smile.
Hm.....Time to wipe that smile off her happy little face.
" I was going to buy a bear, but I am sorry to find that this particular crate (With nicely rounded corners making it extremely child friendly ) is full of rejects!"
The store assistant looks genuinely concerned, until I hold up one of the offending bears and then that happy, welcoming smile returns.
"Ah " she says, still smiling. "Now you have to create your bear and bring it to life....Follow me"
Well, being the kind of person that is very easily confused I am now completely puzzled but I carry my bear to the rear of the shop. On the way she told me that I could have bought one ready stuffed.There was a section of bears on a shelf that were ready to buy,but she assured me that I would enjoy the bear factory experience.
The store has a wooden floor and the there is plenty of room to move around.Great for pushchairs and wheelchairs alike I am pleased to say.There is music playing in the background as you shop, kiddies music and I suddenly feel sorry for the staff.The fact that they can smile so nicely after listening to its sugary content all day is definately credit to them.

Wow!
The back of this shop is like a cross between Santa's workshop and Mr Wonka's Chocolate factory.

"Would you like to record a message and put it inside your bear?"
Little wooden booths, where you can indeed record your voice and have it sewn into your bear. I decided not to, having teenagers in the house I am sick of hearing the sound of my own voice, but if you think about it the possibilities are endless. Imagine the beau, wanting to propose to his love, presenting her with a bear and as she presses its tummy it cries 'Will you marry me!'....Well I would be hooked immediately.

Next was the stuffing machine.
A great big colourful machine that another staff member (Also dressed like the bear in the doorway) is using to fill the bear that I have given her.
" How would you like your bear madam.? Soft and cuddly or firm and chunky?"
I settle for soft and cuddly and watch in awe as my bear begins to take shape.

Now for the sewing.
Another assistant offers me a large jar, filled with soft red hearts. and invites me to pick one for my bear, which I happily do.
"Make a wish and give it a kiss"
At this point I have a quick look around the store, just to check no- one is watching, before giving the heart a quick peck and then watching as it is placed inside my bear and the hole at the back is quickly and skillfully hand stitched closed. The counter here is also child height, and there was a little girl in front of me having her bear made.She was chatting to the friendly staff and looked extremely happy.

I was then asked to give my bear a name......I chose Laurel, after a cat that we lost recently.
I was also asked for the name of the person the bear was from and also who it was to be presented to.I had no idea why, but I gave the details anyway.

We then had to decide whether we wanted accessories for Laurel.
One wall of the shop was filled with little teddy clothes and costumes. Ballet dresses, spaceman suits, little jackets, little dresses.Hair bands, headbands, little hats and little shoes. This shop has everything for the fashion concious bear about town.

We settled for a little pink dress and a hat. They cost me £9.99.Pricey I know, but there were other cheaper accessories and of course you don't have to buy any if you don't want to.

At the till I was offered a lovely strong carrying box for my bear. ( These were £1.25, but made the gift look special and also meant that it would be easy to wrap.)
They took all major cards, including Solo which is my prefered payment method.

I was given a beautiful big birth certificate for my bear, printed with a date of birth,name and owner details.Ah that explained all the details they had asked for earlier.I thought this was a lovely touch and left the shop with a huge smile on my face. A wonderful experience I couldn't wait to repeat with one of my children.

I paid £9.99 for my bear....(That included the stuffing, the heart,the sewing and of course that really special birth certificate.)
£9.99 for the dress....( Which consisted of frilly pants, a dress and a little top jacket.)
£1.25 for the gift box.
Which comes to a grand total of £21.23....A little pricey you might think, but not bad when you concider the experience and involvement that your child would have had in the creation of the bear.

The staff were great, helpful but not intrusive. The shop was clean and bright and built with children in mind, and I mean children of all ages and all mobilities.

I have to tell you that Lauren the bear was not a present for myself, she was for an elderly aunt of mine who shares my love of soft toys.
I am happy to report that the last time we visited, Laurel was well and happy, sitting on the back of the sofa with her certificate displayed on the wall in a frame.
A gift that was a delight to treasure, I am sure you will agree.
Let the child in you come out to play for a while and go and visit The Bear Factory.I would not describe it as a shop, more as an experience.

Thanks for reading

Mand xx