Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite

The cuddly sensation which has taken the world by storm are, of course, the famous Jellycat toys. They come in all shapes and sizes, colours, animals, food and even in the form of a yoga mat.

These unique teddies are flying off shelves and are being purchased by people of all ages – who said toys are just for kids? If you’re thinking of gifting someone special something that shows a lot of love and personality, Jellycats are the way to go.

These whimsical stuffed creations can be on the pricier side, so if you are earning a bit of cash or someone is helping you out, try and find a Jellycat that’ll make your loved one giggle, cry, smile, and raise eyebrows all at the same time. Head straight to Jellycat.com

Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite

They also make for the perfect gift this holiday season, and with Christmas fast approaching, it’s stressful trying to find a special gift that guarantees happiness. Well, Jellycat has you covered – with a (really) wide range of toys to choose from, you are guaranteed to find something that suits exactly what you’re looking for. There are Jellycats for the plant lovers (Amusables Sunflower), the yoga lovers (Amusables Yoga Mat), the teacher (Amusables Apple), the student (Amusables Pencil), the foodie (any Amusables food), the bunny lover (Bashful Bunny), and so much more…

Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite

The appeal of these quirky things is due to their unique selling point. The Jellycat founders, brothers William and Thomas Gatacre, started their toy-making journey back in 1999 because they wanted to make a toy that wasn’t ‘boring’ and different from what was on offer on the market. And my goodness, haven’t they hit the nail on the head! Their products appeal to the public due to their aesthetics, adorable characters and overall comforting nature – when hugging a Jellycat, it feels warm and fuzzy!

Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite

Although originating from London, Jellycat have gone worldwide, appearing in shops in several countries. From their big stores in China to little boutiques with only a few Jellycats in Europe. Being so international, it makes them very easy to get a hold of, and if you’re not near a collaborating store, you can always order online with no worries if they ship to the country you’re in! And with Jellycat branching outside of England, they took this opportunity to make their marketing game skyrocket. However, as lovely as it is for little boutiques to be able to sell Jellycats, there has been recent controversy in the media of Jellycat partnerships being removed once certain toys have begun trending and becoming too popular which is upsetting for small businesses that rely heavily on Jellycat for their income. This is unfortunate, as finding those hidden gem shops is what makes finding Jellycats that little more special. 

Jellycat uses both cuteness and comfort marketing strategies to make you say “awh!” when seeing their Instagram posts or window displays and they work! You’re captured in the trance of their aesthetics. The brand positions their plushies as companions and collectible, special gifts, and with seasonal drops and often retirements, they create quite the hype. Jellycat cultivates a sense of cosy, boutique desirability that keeps fans continually engaged.

Jellycat has been operating a world tour event which showcases exclusive Jellycats at various locations around the world. These experiences are so unique and marketed so well- they have eye-catching displays and social media influence showcasing videos and photos of the Jellycat experience. Moreover, with this influence and the help of social media, Jellycat has grown bigger than ever, and everyone wants one; the marketing game from Jellycat is spot on, they know exactly how to entice you to buy one of these cuddly creatures and we are here for it. 

Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite

The concept of going to an experience that is worldwide for a toy does sound ridiculous and, in a way, sort of stupid. When thought of on a logical level, queuing for some time just to see a toy of a burger with eyes and legs, essentially be grilled, seasoned and then wrapped in paper for you to enjoy, may sound a little silly. However, on a wholesome level, it is astonishing marketing and it needs to be appreciated how the Jellycat team have come up with this concept.  Furthermore, with their cutesy posters advertising the exclusive fish and chip teddies you can get your hands on, it makes them utterly irresistible. 

So, not only can you buy your loved one a special Jellycat for Christmas, but you can also book them a spot to one of the world’s exclusive Jellycat experiences! This would be a perfect gift for someone who wants to make their teddy extra special and for those who are already avid Jellycat fans. I would highly recommend attending a world exclusive experience but perhaps I am biased as I attended the UK Fish and Chips experience in Selfridges, London and let me tell you, it was one of the most weirdly magical things I have ever experienced. 

Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite

When I was able to book a spot (for free!), I was elated. I have been collecting Jellycats for years and I do treat them like my children (I’m serious). Yet again, I was struck with the enticing marketing on social media and saw people queuing to receive fish and chip Jellycat Amusables and I was obsessed. As a Brit, I do love getting a cheeky fish and chips on a Friday night and queuing up waiting for my turn to receive the London (and Birmingham) Selfridges exclusive Jellycat did feel like I was queuing up for real fish and chips! 

 I won’t give too much away from what I got up to, but I will share some details that I just can’t leave out. Upon arriving at Selfridges for my allotted time slot, I made my way to the toyshop department (I felt like a little girl all over again – cue the Barbie soundtrack and ‘Girlhood’) and I saw the outstanding Jellycat Fish and Chip display. My jaw hit the floor at how impressive the whole scene was – the huge Chip Jellycat and the employees dressed in their (plushie) food service attire really sealed the deal. 

Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite

Once it was my turn, I approached the counter and was instructed to choose what food items I wanted from the menu and they would be prepared for me. As I usually do when I go to the fish and chip shop for my meal, I ordered cod (Lily Fish and Chips), chips (Cosy Chips) and some mushy peas (Dot and Peg Mushy Peas). They fried, cooked and packaged my items in personalised packaging and all into a uniquely themed experience bag. The staff were so friendly and all played and performed their part perfectly, in keeping with the ‘food service’ role. So, if you have a loved one who is always looking for something new and different to try or is obsessed with anything cuddly, booking them a Jellycat World Tour Experience is the way to go! 

Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite 

It was phenomenal to witness in person, and I didn’t attend alone – I went along with my mum, and we both thought the whole experience was so much fun which goes to show that no matter your age, Jellycat can be beloved by all and can make the perfect gift for anyone. 

However, is the craze with Jellycats becoming too much? Is it leaning into consumer culture and has the advertising gone too far where it is no longer special?  Well, it can’t be ignored that Jellycats are not the cheapest of gifts. It’s quite crazy that even the keychains can cost as much as £30 which is a lot for a tiny plushie. It’s possible that these cutesy toys are becoming excessive, especially for those who are consuming various amounts of media of everyone getting their hands on one and are unable to afford one themselves. Another thing to mention with these cuddly cuties is that they are unfortunately a target for shoplifting due to their market value; this has a dire effect on small businesses who stock Jellycats as the cost to sell these toys is not a cheap trade. There’s even some places that are keeping Jellycats behind locked cabinets to deter thieves. This is not fair – free the Jellies!

Image Credit: Isabella Laithwaite

But it cannot be denied that although the phenomenon of Jellycats are taking the world by storm, they do make Christmas gifting just that little bit more special. So, this year, if you’re in need of a present that shows love, laughter, and is personal to the receiver, then Jellycats are the way to go.