The phenomenon that is Jellycats has taken the world by storm! They are more than just soft toys. Yes, they are ‘stuffed animals’ and ‘plush toys’ but they are totally unique in their designs, quality of materials and construction, and their appeal to everyone from small babies to grandparents and literally everyone in between! They are characters with names and personalities and once you own one you can’t help but fall in love and want more!
In this guide we’ll walk you through the basics of Jellycats; what they are, the different types of products and why they’ve become so popular over the last few years.
What are Jellycats?
The Jellycat company was born in 1999 in London. The founders were brothers Thomas and William Gatacre and the name came from a suggestion from Thomas’s 7 year old son. They started small but soon grew a loyal fan base and this year are celebrating 25 years of Jellycats – with the Jellycat logo coming to life as Jellycat Jack in all sizes with a giant version currently ‘on tour’ throughout the UK!
Jellycats are a range of beautifully designed and expertly made soft toys from the finest fabrics, there are hundreds of designs – from the Original Bashful Bunny in a huge range of sizes and colours, to fruit, food, animals, vegetables, drinks, plants, sports balls, dragons, dinosaurs as well as well as Christmas and Halloween designs and even books – all of them designed with an attention to detail that makes them completely irresistible to everyone – even royalty – we’ve heard Princess Charlotte has a Fuddlewuddle Puppy! Indeed, Jellycat have millions of loyal collectors of all ages, who adore the brand and eagerly await the new collections that launch twice a year.
Their charm has also not escaped users of Social Media either, and Jellycats are a favourite on TikTok, with many videos going viral, and Jellycat’s Marketing Department deserve an Oscar for their many wonderful Instagram Reels – you can follow them here @jellycat – enjoy!
What are Jellycats made of?
One of the things that sets Jellycat stuffed toys apart is the use of high-quality materials. All the Jellycats are made with soft, plush fabrics that are perfect for cuddling, as well as being durable enough to withstand the rough-and-tumble play of young children. They are also filled with a special blend of materials that gives them a fluffy and huggable feel, without being too firm or too soft and they have the perfect amount of plastic beads inside to make them sit in the cutest, floppiest of ways!
Jellycat takes safety seriously, and all of its stuffed animals are designed and constructed with safety in mind. The company uses high-quality stitching and materials, and follows all relevant safety standards to ensure that its toys are as safe as they are cuddly. Every product is rigorously tested to British, American, European and Australian safety standards; they bear both the CE mark and UKCA mark as an indicator of passing these tests.
Jellycat Collections
Jellycat divide their soft toys into ‘Collections’ and here is a guide to them – almost all of which can be found in Gift+Home!
Celebrating 25 Years – Jellycat Jack and Heritage
The Jellycat logo – come to life! Jellycat Jack in different sizes along with a bag and bag charm. And three old favourites come back just for 2024 – Junglie Monkey, Fergus Frog and Truffles Sheep.
Bashful Bunnies
The original, softest, cutest lop-eared bunnies ever – in every colour and every size – a must have!
Bashful Luxe Bunnies
Same as the OG but even softer fur, a gorgeous plume-like pompom tail and a pretty nose featuring exquisite sparkling thread detail.
Scrumptious
This range includes the beautifully soft and floppy Smudges – Rabbits, Puppy, Elephant and Bear and Wanderlusts – Elly and Puppy.
Lots of cute and gorgeous animal friends too – Harry Panda, Perry Polar Bear, Percy Penguin, Pongo Orangutan, Bailey Sloth, Sacha Snow Tiger…
Sweet Softies
All kinds of sweetest, softest little animals are in this range including Tumblies – Duck, Elephant and Sheepdog. Huddles – gorgeous mums with their little babies – Kangaroo, Bunny, Duck, Elephant and Sheep and Peanut Penguin among many others.
Bartholomew Bear & Friends
Bartholomew is literally the most adorable tawny-tousled bear you could ever wish to meet, and with his big fuzzy nose and kind eyes he is just irresistible! He is available is lots of sizes, in PJ’s, a sweet bathrobe or dressed up as a pumpkin, strawberry or aubergine and even as a shoulder bag, bag charm and now tote bag!
His good friends include Barnabus Pig and Archie Elephant.
Bashfuls
All manner of lovely animals are in this range including a Dragon, Dino, Puppies, Snow Tiger, Fox Cub, Giraffe, Sloth, Lion, Tiger, Monkey, Hedgehog, Zebra, Wolf, Koala, Owl, Kittens, Lamb and Duckling, and just like all Jellycats they are soft, cute and cuddly!
Whimsiful and Mystical
For something a bit different Jellycat has lots of unusual characters to choose from. What about a monster (a nice one!) or Bucky Big Foot? Axolotl – Alice or Andie in pink or blue. Fun-guys Ozzie, Bertie, Pattie and Robbie. Sweetsicles Elephant, Cat or Bunny. We love Syd Salamander, Caractacus and Colin Chameleons, Frankie Frilled-Necked Lizard and Winston Worm – along with the Stick Insect, Scorpion and Praying Mantis!
And last but certainly not least is Ricky Rainfrog – he is adorably grumpy, you can’t help but hug him – he is in two sizes, a bag, a bag charm, and he also is leaning to swim in a duck rubber ring or listening to his music with his headphones on!
Perfect Pets
Lots and lots of perfect pets – dogs of every breed including Golden Retriever, Schnauzer, Husky, Doodle, Fox Terrier, Bassett Hound, Poodle, Black Labrador, Pomeranian, Jack Russell, Sausage Dogs, Scottie Dog, Corgi, Sheepdog and St Bernard!
And not to forget the cats – Siamese, Persian and Caboodle Kittens – and also the cutest Guinea Pig and Hamster!
Menagerie
Our particular favourite in this category is Clyde the Capybara – he’s just the best! But there are plenty of others to choose from too – Gomez Gorilla, Oswald Orangutan, Dara Giraffe, Dario Donkey and Richie Dromedary.
Dragons and Dinos
Jellycat Dragons are legendary – gliding to earth, these long, lopsy dragons make a fabulous entrance with sparkly ears, wings, soft spines and tail dart – we love them! In lots of colours and sizes there is a dragon for everyone and they are soooo soft!
There is a Festival Dragon to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Dragon and lots of dinosaurs including T-Rex, Triceratops, Brontesaurus and Stegasaurus, and a Mammoth and Sabre Tooth Tiger completes the picture!
Happy Garden
A Jellycat garden will always be a happy garden – with Butterflies, Bees, Ladybirds and Caterpillars, along with every type of bird imaginable!
Farmyard
Old McDonald has nothing on Jellycat! Sheep, Pigs, Chickens, Cows, Ducks are all here!
Woodland
In ther deep, dark forest you will find.. Hedgehogs, Foxs, Owls, Frogs, Squirrel, Dormouse, Mole and Bats.
Lovely Littles
Loads of soft and cuddly little animals – all ready for a home – with pocket money prices too!
Fuddlewuddles
Each member of this collection is made with Fuddle-tastic deep pile soft plush fur, creating toys that are not just cuddly but utterly delightful to touch, snuggle, and squeeze! In this range you’ll find a Dragon, Elephant, Donkey, Dino, Lion, Monkey, Cat, Puppy and Lamb.
Ocean
“I’d rather be, under the sea” …with all colours and sizes of Octopus, Whales, Orca, Manatee, Seal, Pufferfish, Turtle, Lobster, Shrimp, Crab and so many others wouldn’t you be too?
Playtime
From animals with backpacks to hibernating sleepies, Bees in Honeycombs and Frogs in Toadstools – lots of things to play with!
Catwalk & Quirky
Seahorse, Seal or Dog in a jumper – why not!
Valentines, Easter, Halloween and Christmas
Jellycat are masters at seasonal events – and bring out wonderful, quirky, gorgeous things for all these events!
Amuseable Sky Characters
Sun, Moon, Clouds, Star and Rainbow – blue sky thinking!
Amuseable Florist
The best florist in the world! From massive Monstera, Bonsai, Bamboo, Cacti and Succulents to beautiful flowers in pots and bouquets!
Amuseable Food & Drink
What a category this is! There’s yummy stuff – Burger, Taco, Pizza, Sandwich, Ramen, Popcorn, Brie.. Breakfast? Eggs, boiled or fried, Beans, Oats, Toast, Baguette, Croissant, Pain au Chocolat, Pain au Raison.. Thirsty? Bubble Tea, Espresso, Cup of Coffee, Pot of Tea, Coffee-to-go… Sweet Tooth? Cakes galore from Birthday Cake to Tarte au Citron and Doughnuts! Also in this category we have Peanut, Avocado, Lime, Chilli, Olives, Pickle.. it goes on and on!
Fabulous Fruit
Feeling fruity? Jellycat has literally thought of all your needs from Apples and Pears to Plums and Pomegranates!
Vivacious Vegetables
A veggies dream! From Aubergine to Asparagus and Broccoli to Bok Choy and everything in between!
Seafood
All types of Sushi are available at the Jellycat Restaurant along with Lobster, Langoustine, Mussells and Shrimp!
Amuseable Sports
What’s your sporting predilection? Jellycat have you covered – Football, Rugby, Golf, Tennis, Baseball, American Football, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket – howzat!
Bags and Bag Charm
Lots of all the favourite Jellycat characters as bags and bag charms!
Story Books
Many Jellycats have their own books – all about them – a perfect pairing as a gift for a newborn or young child.
The Benefits of Jellycats
The joy of a Jellycat cannot be underestimated – quite unique in the way that they can bring joy to every age from a newborn baby to an older adult. In some ways they are very much like a pet (although without the mess and they don’t need to be exercised!), they are begging to be stroked and cuddled, look adoringly at you, make you smile when you look at them – what’s not to like!
Someone feeling under the weather – give them a Jellycat!
Tell someone you love them – give them a Jellycat!
There really is no one that cannot benefit from the addition of a Jellycat , or many Jellycats in their lives.
And so many children find their ‘special’ soft toy in a Jellycat, one that brings joy and comfort throughout their childhood and into adulthood.
They really are the ultimate companion for any time in your life.
Caring for Jellycats
So once you have found your perfect Jellycat and you take them home here’s what to do..
- Give your Jellycat a good shake just to wake it up.
- Very gently pull the limbs and massage into a pleasing shape.
- Fluff the fur, or hair, as desired (they absolutely love it).
- Repeat, 1, 2 and 3 as required.
And to keep them looking tip top for ever please follow the below instructions..
Step 1: Check the sewn in care label
Before cleaning your Jellycat soft toy, always check care label first. The care label will provide specific instructions on how to clean the toy without damaging it. Different Jellycat designs have different recommended care instructions. It may indicate whether the toy is machine washable or if it requires hand washing or surface washing only.
Step 2: Machine washable Jellycats
- Place the soft toy in a pillowcase to protect it during the wash.
- Use a gentle cycle and cold or cool water to prevent any damage or shrinkage to the toy.
- Use a mild detergent that is suitable for delicate fabrics.
- Once the wash cycle is complete, remove the toy from the pillowcase and re-shape it to its original form and then let it air dry completely.
- To help return the fur on your stuffed toy to its former fluffiness, during the drying process it can be gently dried with a hair dryer using little or no heat.
Step 3: Hand washable Jellycats
- Fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild detergent.
- Submerge the soft toy in the soapy water and gently rub it to loosen any dirt.
- Use a soft cloth or sponge to gently scrub the Jellycat, paying extra attention to any stained areas.
- Rinse the toy thoroughly with clean, lukewarm water to remove all traces of detergent.
- Squeeze out excess water gently without wringing or twisting the toy.
- Place the toy on a clean towel and reshape it to its original form.
- Allow the toy to air dry completely.
- To help return the fur on your stuffed toy to its former fluffiness, during the drying process it can be gently dried with a hair dryer using little or no heat.
Step 4: Spot cleaning & surface wash only toys
If your Jellycat soft toy has a small stain or spot, you can spot clean it using a mild detergent and a damp cloth. Gently dab the stained area with the damp cloth until the stain is removed. Avoid rubbing vigorously, as it may damage the toy’s fabric. Blot with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture and then put the toy aside to completely air dry.
Look after your Jellycat and they will look after you!
Where to buy Jellycats
So, you can buy Jellycats in loads of different places – but the best place to buy your Jellycats is Gift+Home in Altrincham or online at www.giftandhome.co.uk, but why..?
- We seriously have the best selection of Jellycats in the area – come, be wowed, and see all your potential new friends in person, don’t guess how big they are, how soft they are, how cute they are – come and see them!!
- You will get one of our Jellycat Loyalty Cards – unique to Gift+Home – you get one stamp for each Jellycat you buy, then after 7 stamps you can get 20% off your 8th Jellycat!
- You can also join our Gift+Home Loyalty Scheme. Simply input your telephone number and you will receive 1 point for every £1 you spend – and then when you get 100 points you can get £10 off your next purchase!! It really is that good!
- If you can’t shop in store you can order all of our Jellycats on-line – either Click & Collect from our store, Next Day Delivery or Standard Delivery – and if you spend over £100 delivery if completely FREE!
- You’re supporting an Independent Store😊, so you’ll feel good too!
So in summary – we have learned that Jellycats are the best companions anyone could wish to have, we have learned how they came about and how to care for them and we have learned that the choice is immense! But don’t be overwhelmed, come along to Gift+Home in Altrincham and come and see our vast collection (or order on-line) and choose your new favourite pal today, and don’t forget to join our loyalty scheme!
See you soon!
