As the temps continue to drop, your loved ones will probably start reaching for something to snuggle up with. Why should they settle for a plain old teddy bear when there are stuffed dragons and giant isopods? Here are some untraditional plush to give to your geekier friends and family members.
Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers and may receive a small percentage of any sale. But we only get commission on items you buy and don’t return, so we’re only happy if you’re happy. Thanks for helping us pay the bills!
1. DROGON; $36
This Game of Thrones-inspired plush toy resembles Daenerys’ fearsome companion, Drogon. While the dragons in the award-winning HBO series don’t look very welcoming, this 16-inch tall stuffed animal version is decidedly a lot more huggable. The polyester dragon has a wingspan of 4 feet, with poseable wings, thanks to embedded wire.
Find It: ThinkGeek
2. MICROBES; $10-$14
Germaphobes, take note: When you enlarge microbes, they look a lot more appealing. The otherwise invisible organisms were scaled up over 1,000,000 times, in order to create these 18- to 24-inch wide toys. Choose from infectious diseases, a strand of DNA, a neuron, and more.
Find It: Amazon
4. ORGANS; $22
The extensive catalog of unconventional plush toys from I Heart Guts includes the heart, uterus, colon, gallbladder, and other smiling organs. Unlike real organs, these plush figurines are stored in biodegradable plastic sleeves.
Find It: Amazon
5. RICK AND MORTY; $13
Adult Swim-favorite Rick And Morty is slated to come back for a third season in early 2017, so what better time to snag a couple of plush toys that look like the titular characters of the cartoon? Now, your friend or family member can watch the new episodes with Rick and Morty sitting on either side. The toys, which are sold individually, are made with velboa fabric and are officially licensed.
Find It: ThinkGeek
6. R2-D2; $7
Everyone needs a helpful droid to get through the holidays, whether it’s for patching up the ship or creating a distraction when hiding Brussels sprouts under the mashed potatoes. A part of Hallmark’s “Itty Bitty” collection, R2-D2 is just over 4 inches tall—and a good fit for a stocking. The collection also includes miniature versions of Yoda, Captain Phasma, Chewbacca, BB-8, and more.
Find It: Amazon
7. CHESTBUSTER; $21
If you know someone who delights in all things gory and macabre, they’ll probably enjoy this 10-inch replica of a chestbuster from the Aliens franchise. With a torn up shirt and some fabric dye, it’ll be easy to recreate the movie scene right on Christmas morning. (Grandma will love it!)
Find It: Amazon
8. POKEMON STARTERS; $19
The Pokemon franchise has been around since 1996 and spawned seven generations of Pocket Monsters in the time. But purists claim that the first wave is the best. This plush threesome of Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for any Pokemon lover, regardless of which version the fledgling trainer started with. Each plush toy is a little under 6 inches tall and made with a soft material.
Find It: Amazon
9. BLOBFISH; $26
Is there any creature in the ocean more fantastically ugly than the blobfish? This stunning fish sports a droopy nose, beady eyes, and a permanently scowling mug—and was named the “World’s Ugliest Animal” by the Ugly Animal Preservation Society in 2013. Now, your loved one can cuddle with a 9.5-inch stuffed animal version of the unfortunate-looking fish.
Find It: Firebox
10. GIANT ISOPOD; $75
Know someone who is enamored by the isopod, an armored crustacean that can grow up to 2.5 feet long and survive for up to five years without eating? Indulge their fascination with one of these plush toys.
Find It: Amazon
11. FINN; $6
The cartoon Adventure Time is coming to a close in 2018, but that doesn’t mean Finn and Jake don’t have some more quests and journeys in the future. This polyester Finn is up for any new adventures your friend can think of. For added fun, have some of the other characters join in, like Jake, Beemo, and Princess Bubblegum.
Find It: Amazon
December 5, 2016 – 6:00pm