What is a Bear-Gram?
• 1 teddy bear, 15 inches in length
• A personalized message from the sender on a card
• Activities written inside the box to keep the bear occupied in transit
• An individual air hole in the bottom of the box so the bear can breathe safely during travel
• Gourmet caramels or chocolates (depending on the season) to provide the bear with a snack in case he gets hungry on the journey
Features of the Bear
• Each teddy bear's fur can be customized when ordered to include standard colors (honey, vanilla, or buttercream), pastel furs (blue, pink, or yellow) and for an additional $10 charge premium furs (maple, espresso, snow)
• Each teddy bear has moveable joints and is posable, due to the unique ball and socket design in the arms and legs
• The head, both arms and both legs rotate 360 degrees
• The eyes come standard in brown, but for an additional $10 charge can be customized to blue, green or hazel
• The outer portions of the eyes of the bear are printed with "Born in Vermont"
• Their are soft pads on the hands and feet of the bear that can be personalized with names or dates
• The bear's fur is very soft, and can be combed
• The bear has two tush tags. One tag indicates that it is Made in the USA in Vermont and has a Lifetime Guarantee . The second tag provides washing instructions and provides a manufacturing date for collectors
• There are hundreds of different bear outfit combinations available to meet a variety of individual requests for certain hobbies (fishing, sports), occupations (doctors, construction worker), and events (new baby, birthdays, weddings, graduation)
• There are both 22 inch Premium Collection bears that retail for $99.99 and 36 inch Big Hug Collection bears that retail for $199.99
• Prices of the 15 inch bear start at $49.99
• Bears can only be purchased online at the Vermont Teddy Bear Company
Facts about the Vermont Teddy Bear Company
• There is a special department for consumers to work directly with a person at Vermont Teddy Bear to design custom outfits, individualized tattoos, and themes specific to their bear or occasion for an additional charge
• In the event of any damage to the teddy bear from any accidents or normal wear and tear, no questions asked, there is an unconditional lifetime guarantee for Vermont Teddy Bears
• After filling out a hospital intake form online, the consumer pays the shipping back to Vermont Teddy Bear Company and the bear is fixed and/or replaced for free
• Vermont Teddy Bear Company suggests that the bear is washed in a pillow case on a delicate cycle and hung up to dry. Do not place the bear in the dryer
My Impressions
Initially, when my son received a bear-gram for his first birthday, I appreciated the gesture from his grandparents, but I knew this bear was expensive and a collectible. For the last year, the bear has sat in my son's room on a shelf, until literally this week. On a short family vacation, we took a trip to Vermont and spontaneously took a tour of the Vermont Teddy Bear Company factory. Once I could watch the process of how the bears were made and hear about the unconditional lifetime guarantee, I actually felt guilty that I had deprived my son of some nice snuggle time with such a soft, cute, bear. Starting at $49.99 there is no question in my mind these bears are expensive. However, we all have those hard to buy for people in our lives and special events that dare us to find a gift that is different. The Vermont Teddy Bear Company strives to provide a high quality product. These days it's hard to find toys and games that are made right here in the United States, and to be welcomed into the factory to be an observer in the process speaks volumes to me about the commitment to quality. If life brings you to Burlington, Vermont, pay the $3 and tour the Vermont Teddy Bear factory , it was a "beary" adorable half hour of entertainment.
