At Toy Street, we have had a wonderful, new and nostalgic idea! When working with the cuddly and awesome teddies we do, it has always made us think of our childhood teddies. Lots of us feel a little warmth inside. Thinking of the moments and playtimes shared with our cuddly ones, thinking of what they are up to know or where are they!

What does the teddy that I passed on to my cousin get up to now during playtime?

Where did my mum put my childhood favourite teddy when I grew up or moved out?

We wanted to put all of these thoughts and feelings together, and share them with you guys! In this blog, Katie has taken the time to tell you all about her favourite teddy… From when she was younger. Beginning with the team member’s name, their teddy best friend’s name, and the date of their first play date.

Names:

Katie & Eeyore

First Play Date:

27th Nov 1995, my birthday.

A Little About My Best Friend:

As I grew up, Winnie the Pooh was a staple story with wallpapers, storybooks and soft toys filling the house. With four siblings I grew up with Eeyore. My older brother got Piglet. As a teenager, my mum was always nicknamed Pooh (for her red t-shirts and fondness for dungarees). Leaving my younger siblings, as Roo and Rabbit. Eeyore was always a grumpy character in the books who taught me it’s okay to feel sad sometimes. Eeyore also helped me to cherish the happy moments in life. Now, I believe the Winnie the Pooh stories hold great educational strength for young children.

I have a lot of fond memories of Winnie The Pooh stories. We used to live opposite a big forest where we would walk our dog on most days. We’d dream of Hundred Acre Wood, throw Pooh sticks off bridges into streams… Just like the characters in the stories, spending our time making the forest our playground full of adventures, making dens, splashing in muddy puddles and climbing trees.

Although Eeyore might not stay in my bed as he did as a child, he is a toy I will never get rid of. Put in the cupboard, he comes out on rainy days and makes me cherish the wonderful childhood I had and the family I wish I saw more of. There’s something comforting about childhood memories and attachments so nothing beats a good cuddle down memory lane with a childhood teddy. Equally, we shouldn’t underestimate the power of a true cuddly friend. He’s a bit tattered now but still just as loved, I think over the years I’ve become more attached to my teddy than I ever was as a child.