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The appeal of BaB isn't just the bears themselves, but the customization of all the accessories that are available, as well as the "experience" of building the bear/animal. The child picks the animal they want, and it's just the empty flat exterior. They go to this big machine that blows the stuffing into the animal (as soft or as firm as they want) so they watch it come to "life" ... they pick a heart and make a wish and put it inside before it's sewn up. They can also choose to put in some sort of audio effect (for example, they can record a message and put it inside ... nice if the animal is being given as a gift). They also get to sit at a computer and enter their name and generate an adoption certificate. Where it gets really expensive is all the various outfits and accessories so they can create whatever they want. Their bear can be a princess, or a rock star, or a firefighter, or a quarterback for their favorite football team ... etc. etc. etc...
Yep. It's kind of like the Cabbage Patch Kids of my day! I remember going to the actual "adoption patch" in San Francisco once, and how excited my sister and I were... we got to choose our own baby, name her, do a whole adoption ceremony, etc. I wasn't even particularly into dolls (more of a horse and car model kid), but the process was exciting for a child.
I wonder where my doll is now, come to think of it. Probably in a box at my mother's house, if she hasn't thrown it away yet.
The appeal of BaB isn't just the bears themselves, but the customization of all the accessories that are available, as well as the "experience" of building the bear/animal. The child picks the animal they want, and it's just the empty flat exterior. They go to this big machine that blows the stuffing into the animal (as soft or as firm as they want) so they watch it come to "life" ... they pick a heart and make a wish and put it inside before it's sewn up. They can also choose to put in some sort of audio effect (for example, they can record a message and put it inside ... nice if the animal is being given as a gift). They also get to sit at a computer and enter their name and generate an adoption certificate. Where it gets really expensive is all the various outfits and accessories so they can create whatever they want. Their bear can be a princess, or a rock star, or a firefighter, or a quarterback for their favorite football team ... etc. etc. etc...
Ugh. You're bringing back bad (expensive) memories for me as a mom. We took our daughter for her birthday one year and I distinctly remember paying $8 for a pair of shoes for this stuffed bear and thinking, "WTH am I doing????" That was on top of the bear itself and the clothes.
I used to want to be part of big promotions like this (and Black Friday) just to be part of something big. I'd make sure that I didn't NEED anything from the trip, but if I found a good deal, I'd jump on it.
This was in my early 20s as a single man. Now, I even reserve the days I go out to restaurants for Mon-Thurs.
Ugh. You're bringing back bad (expensive) memories for me as a mom. We took our daughter for her birthday one year and I distinctly remember paying $8 for a pair of shoes for this stuffed bear and thinking, "WTH am I doing????" That was on top of the bear itself and the clothes.
No idea where that bear is now.
They make big money off all this. Parents will pay. The clothing is expensive and some have expansive wardrobes for their bears. Children in third world countries don't get things like this but it's likely they wouldn't even want them anyway; they would want food and water and healthcare. So this is definitely a first world problem.
All those people with no jobs. Wish I could had stood in line for hours. Don't they have jobs?
They were with their children. Some might be stay at home moms, others might be school employees who have the summer off,or others might have just taken the day off to spend the day with their kids. There are also people who work part time, or don't work a typical 9-5 job. My mom works as a nurse. She typically works 3 12 hour shifts each week, leaving her 2 days off. Depending on how busy they are, she might work more or less hours during a week.
You dont have a job that allows you time off?
There are also retired grandparents who watch their grandkids while the parents work full time, or nanny/babysitters that find ways to entertain the children outside the house...
When it comes to black fridays, is it really like that......or is the news just showing us the worse to make us think it is all like that?
Back in 2008 I believe it was a man was trampled to death inside Wal-mart after the doors were open. I worked at a different Wal-mart at the time, and we were told that if someone from the media asked us our thoughts we were to not talk about it. It was heavily implied we'd be fired for it. No one asked me anything, so it was a moot point.
They were with their children. Some might be stay at home moms, others might be school employees who have the summer off,or others might have just taken the day off to spend the day with their kids. There are also people who work part time, or don't work a typical 9-5 job. My mom works as a nurse. She typically works 3 12 hour shifts each week, leaving her 2 days off. Depending on how busy they are, she might work more or less hours during a week.
You dont have a job that allows you time off?
There are also retired grandparents who watch their grandkids while the parents work full time, or nanny/babysitters that find ways to entertain the children outside the house...
Yes my DIL was off and most of her friends that went are teachers. They saw the line and took the kids to the zoo instead.
All those people with no jobs. Wish I could had stood in line for hours. Don't they have jobs?
Parents who couldn't make it probably pawned their kids off on some relative who could. Or the kids tagged along with their friends' parents.
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