THE MERRY BLOG | NOVEMBER 2024

A Very Merrythought Christmas – Family Tradition, Royal Gifts and Festive Teddy Bears!

The magical lead up to Christmas is one of Merrythought’s busiest times of the year! Our timeless teddy bears have become part of festive celebrations around the world, including long-standing family traditions. It is wonderful to hear of the many young children who receive a Merrythought for their first Christmas – a lasting companion, who will accompany them throughout their childhood and beyond.

Christmas with those closest to you is an enchanting time, filled with love, merriments, and made complete with the perfect present. A personalised teddy bear is a truly unique gift for loved ones of all ages. Choose from 12 luscious satin ribbon colours (perhaps pick their favourite colour?) and complete their new friend with heartfelt wording on their teddy bear’s paw - written by you and neatly embroidered by us. Within just a few days, we will handmake a one-of-a-kind teddy bear, all in time for the upcoming festivities!

Merrythought teddy bears have also been enjoyed by generations of the Royal family and even become part of their Christmases! During 1983, 30 years after his mother was presented with a Merrythought Corgi soft toy, His Majesty King Charles III was thrilled to receive one of our famous green hippos as a gift for his newborn son, William. A few years later, the now Prince of Wales was pictured walking alongside his cousin, Zara Phillips (now Tindall) to Church on Christmas Day as she carried her very own Merrythought teddy bear hand warming muff – an adorable winter accessory from the Merrythought archives.

Merrythought’s Christmas festivities of the past also featured one very distinctive character. Designed by Florence Attwood, Punkinhead was first produced exclusively for Canadian Eaton’s Department Stores, and a character who became synonymous with the festive period for people across Canada. As ‘Santa’s Helper’, he appeared in a variety of books and marketing campaigns, plus led Eaton’s famous annual Christmas parade!

More recently known simply as ‘Punkie’, this unique Merrythought bear was characterised by his long top-knot of hair and went on to earn an important place amongst our collectable ranges, with new limited edition designs created each year and enjoyed by collectors around the world This includes our annual Punkie Year Bear, who joins our range just in time for Christmas!

In August, we unveiled our exquisite 2024 Christmas Teddy Bear. Hand-crafted from premium gold-tipped mohair plush, this luxurious bear is adorned with a rich scarlet cotton velvet bow. As befitting for the season, a unique festive gift box design is beautifully embroidered on the bear’s left paw, entwined with Merrythought’s iconic wishbone.

These wonderful bears have become the ultimate addition to many peoples’ festive décor. This Christmas, we would love to hear how our teddy bears will be joining the upcoming celebrations in your home – please feel free to share your pictures to #merrythoughtbears!