The humble teddy bear occupies a unique space in English culture. This soft and cuddly stuffed animal is a popular comfort toy for young children, even brings back fond memories for many adults as well.

The teddy bear name is said to have come from the former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt who adamantly refused to shoot a confined bear during a photo opportunity hunting expedition arranged by one of his staff. Shortly after the news of Roosevelt’s hunt, it reached the public in no time. This guy, Morris Michtom began to market his handmade stuffed bears as "Teddy’s bears." The name, although it was eventually shortened, seemed to be a perfect fit for these lovable toys.

Nowadays most of the teddy bears are sold in England and these toys are targeted at children. September 9th is celebrated as the Teddy Bear Day. People celebrate it with their favorite Teddy Bears. Teddy Bear Day is not an official holiday though. Your teddy bear does not get the day off. The reason cited here is that, he still has to do his job and be loveable and cuddlesome. To comply with governmental regulations, a teddy bear that is meant for a child should have eyes that are securely fastened and special safety joints should be used to attach the arms and legs. If the teddy bear is sold wearing an outfit, then the garment must follow many of the same safety standards used for children’s clothing. A child’s teddy bear should typically be machine washable, but you should always check the care instructions before attempting to clean the toy.

Young teddy bear lovers who wish to have the experience of creating their own stuffed animals can visit the various workshops to create a customized teddy bear. Guests can even choose Disney inspired clothing and accessories or special sound effects for their teddy bears. Since the teddy bear is universally associated with happy childhood memories, it should come as no surprise that many adults purchase teddy bears for themselves. Collectors of teddy bears who are adults are known as Arctophiles. It is a combination of the Greek words "ARCTO" for bear and "PHILOS" for love. However, adults in search of a collectible teddy bear often opt for custom made teddy bears that feature hand stitching and other minute details. Unlike the children’s teddy bears sold at toy stores, collectible bears are typically found at craft shows or in specialty boutiques. It’s not mandatory for the makers of collectible teddy bears to follow toy safety guidelines, so these bears should always be kept away from small children.

One of the unique types of collectible teddy bear for adults is called the soy dipped bear. Enterprising crafters dip teddy bears found at thrift stores and consignment shops into scented candle wax to create a decorative display object. The scent of a soy dipped wax teddy bear will last for several months, making a beautiful yet highly functional air freshener.