Boyds is famous for making cuddly plush teddy bears. Their specialty is gift bears that are presented for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. The bears are jointed with movable arms and legs. As such, a Boyds bear can be manipulated into many poses. They are adorable and fun teddy bears for any occasion.

Boyds is named for the city in Maryland where the company was launched in 1979. G.M. Lowenthal and his wife started out as antique dealers, but soon discovered that they could not afford to purchase expensive artifacts. Instead, they turned to selling reproductions and importing items from other countries. One of these products happened to be wool teddy bears from China. In 1984, G.M. Lowenthal designed his first jointed teddy bear in honor of his son, Matthew.

The toys are very durable, so when you buy them online, they are more likely to survive the shipping process intact. However, when you receive a Boyds bear in the mail, it may not arrive in the pristine condition in which it was packed. The bears tend to get bent out of shape or squished in transit. The easiest thing to do is to fluff the bear's fur with a hairbrush and twist or bend the body back into shape.

Special occasion or not, the gift of a Boyds bear is always a nice gesture because teddy bears are adored by children and adults. Plus, Boyds bears come dressed in all types of fun themed costumes. There's even a bear that is dressed in a slice of watermelon. No matter what the personality or mood of the recipient, there is always a Boyds bear that makes the perfect gift.