Build A Bear Workshop

I can’t be the only person who finds this shop intensely creepy — it’s encouraging children to become miniature versions of Doctor Frankenstein; constructing their perfect creation from bins filled with body parts. Just because it’s done up in primary colours doesn’t make it any less macabre (it just makes it more so, if anything). Sure, there are guides of how to make different kinds of bears with different outfits (footballer, doctor, policeman) but what if some twisted girl decides to ignore these suggestions and decides to build a monster and she takes it home and gets bored of it and she forgets to even name it. Then the monster gets out of control and stalks the girl and her family, letting out a pained screech as it follows them. It just wanted a name — why wouldn’t you give it a name? Why?
Doesn’t bear thinking about really.

Until recently I didn’t see the fascination with Teddy Bears, I used to call them «dust traps». Even as a little girl I didn’t have a favourite; dolls had personalities, bears had fur. I used to walk past Build A Bear and think what a nightmare! Cheesy staff dressed in the ugliest uniforms I have ever seen (pale blue baggy shirts TUCKED INTO tight beige chinos, and they all had ample arses) periodically burst into song as though they had involuntary singing tourettes. Wild– eyed children ran around, seemingly without any form of supervision and I walked on by, shuddering.
The thing is unfortunately, my teddy disdain is not hereditary. Mini-​me adores them, covers the bed with them, just cannot get enough of her furry friends, and when it came to party time, where did she want to host her celebration? Yeah, you got it! Build A Bear Workshop. Dedicated Mum that I am, I steeled myself and crossed the shop’s threshold expecting to be violently allergic to the mass of synthetic fibres. I was totally shocked– it was amazing.
Children (or adults) choose which Teddy fur they want and the staff let them put in the stuffing from a rotating, popcorn like machine. Here comes the sweet part, the children choose a little material heart to put inside their bears because everything has a heart (tell that to the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz). Then they «wash» the bears, recite the store’s mantra (sort of like taking an oath to look after the bears) and make a Birth Certificate for them. The staff are great with children, very patient and full of enthusiasm; I guess you have to be a little cheesy when dealing with hoardes of excited rugrats.
Okay I know what you are all thinking– this is all very good in a childlike way but are you perplexed why I love this place so much? Well it has something to do with the clothes. Yes it is official, I love teddy clothes. Build A Bear sells skinny teddy jeans, sparkly teddy crop tops and hello Kitty slippers. They have little teddy biker jackets, teddy stilettos, teddy shirt and ties and teddy ball gowns. The accessories are amazing too, this is like retail therapy but miniaturised. Whatever you buy for yourself, you can buy for your teddy bear. I love it!
Prices vary and this can be an expensive do but its up to you how little or how much you want the experience to cost you. The cheapest bear is £9 and the price increase to £18 for a character bear. This is an interactive teddy world where children are educated on the toy making process, and because they are allowed to personalise their creations this inspires them to love and respect what they produce. These bears will not be casually thrown on the floor or forgotten.

Some people think that this place is only for kids, but they could be wrong, because i think this place can be a really gesture for a gift to your girlfriend or anyone special for that matter!
It lets you make you’re onw teddy bear, like your own pet with complete freedom of choice right from what’s in it and what’s on the outside! I was got here on my 18^th! Yes, begining to adulthood couldn’t have been cockier! Anyway so you can easily spend more than an hour here alone!
— Select your animal
— Stuff with yourself
— Select it’s clothes. The choices are unlimited! Fron pretty frocks to trendy tee’s to even skinny jeans! You can go crazy! (You actually prety much get into this groove by now!)
— Accessorize your new member! Here as well you can make anything! If you want a rockstar go for the gigantic mic and glares. If you’re looking miss posh choose the extravagant heels. They even have cute sneakers and also purses!
— Finally after all are done playing dress up, you can christen your lil person and get a printed bith certificate for it!
It’s all really cute and lovely, except the price tag is quite a bit. And to think of it, around £40 for a bear when you can have lovely Kurt geiger bag or something, does make you an inch uncomfy in your shoes. But then you remember the joys and the time you spent with the someone special and you think it really is worth it! After all its the thought that counts and makes things good or bad!