In recent years, Squishmallows have completely taken over grocery store shelves and have become a huge seller in the toy industry. From a fellow collector, I’m here to give an inside look at the world of Squishmallows and what I think makes these toys so popular in our generation.
Beginning in the Fall of 2020, I encountered my first Squishmallow at a Walgreens. At the time, I had no idea what this plush toy was or the hype that had been surrounding them since their launch in 2017. After purchasing my first Squishmallow, I slowly began to collect more and by now I’ve acquired a few dozen. I began collecting Squishmallows as a hobby, but lately it’s become difficult with their growing popularity. According to Insider, Squishmallows that sell for about $20 at retail price have been bought and resold on sites like Mercari for almost $100. While some people collect Squishmallows for personal enjoyment, others often clear the shelves of stores and resell the plush toys at extreme prices. Individuals like these have contributed to the shortage of Squishmallows in local stores and have forced many people to resort to purchasing their Squishmallows online.
With the Squishmallow craze still going strong, there are a few reasons that come to mind when someone asks me what the whole obsession is with these toys.
Squishmallows are comforting
During this pandemic, I think many individuals, including myself, have experienced a great deal of isolation from our communities. With social distancing guidelines put in place for everyone’s health and safety, large gatherings with friends and family have faced some restrictions. Meanwhile, Squishmallows can be a comfort to those facing periods of loneliness in this pandemic. To the people who are wondering why people are so obsessed with Squishmallows right now, sometimes the answer is just simple. Squishmallows are enjoyable to hug and to hold. As their name suggests, Squishmallows have a very soft and squishy texture. They’re perfect for cuddling and they also make great gifts for others!
Collecting Squishmallows can be exciting!
With Squishmallows becoming increasingly challenging to find these days, “squish hunting” has become a popular activity. Squish hunting mainly involves searching different stores in your local area to find Squishmallows. Going from one place to the next and looking for Squishmallows is a fun pastime and can be serotonin boosting when you find the Squishmallow you’ve been looking for! Hunting for Squishmallows can be fun on your own, but it is also a great way to spend time with friends. I’ve gone on many squish hunts with my friends and have even persuaded some of them to begin collecting.
Squishmallows Provide a Sense of Community
Whenever I mention Squishmallows in a conversation, it’s always exciting to hear other people collect them too! It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to share something like collecting Squishmallows with anyone from a friend to a complete stranger. Squishmallow collectors have essentially formed their own community of squish loving fanatics. Through social media, I’ve witnessed firsthand many Squishmallow related accounts helping each other find their most sought after Squishmallows. From sharing what stores they have found them at and trading with one another, members of the Squishmallow community have shown to be very supportive of each other. In spite of all the shelf-clearers that make it difficult to find Squishmallows in stores, the experience of collecting Squishmallows is made better through its passionate community.
In the end, buying Squishmallows can be special for a variety of reasons. To some people, collecting Squishmallows is more than just a popular trend. Squishmallows can provide emotional support, a thrilling experience at the store, and a safe space for people to socialize and have fun with one another.