Finding Childhood Memories Again Through Vintage Plush Toys

Some of my favorite things to find while sourcing are plush stuffed animals.

There’s something about them that feels different from everything else. Maybe it’s because they aren’t just objects—they were once someone’s comfort, their favorite, something they held onto.

Growing up, my favorite plush was LeMutt the dog. He had shaggy tan fur, floppy limbs, and those puppy dog eyes that felt like they were always looking right at you. He was soft, huggable, and somehow always exactly where I needed him to be.

He was popular in the 1980s, but to me, he wasn’t just a toy—he was mine. And I’ll always remember him that way.

Why Plush Toys Hold So Much Meaning

When I come across plush animals at estate sales or tucked away in storage bins, I can’t help but wonder about the child who once loved them. Were they carried everywhere? Slept with every night? Carefully placed on a shelf as someone grew older?

Plush toys tend to hold onto memories in a way few other items do. They’re personal, comforting, and often kept long after childhood has passed.

That’s part of what draws me to them. Even if they’re not something I would have chosen myself, I can still see the meaning they once held.

Finding Them New Homes

While I’m out sourcing for our heritage finds, I’m naturally drawn to these pieces. There’s something special about picking them up and giving them another chance to be appreciated.

Sometimes it’s someone rediscovering a childhood favorite. Other times, it’s someone finding something new that still feels familiar.

Either way, these small, simple things carry more meaning than they seem to at first glance.

The Story Behind the Things We Keep

That’s one of the things I’ve come to appreciate most about collecting and reselling—everything we find has a story, even if we don’t know all of it.

And sometimes, it's the smallest, most unexpected items that carry the most heart.

That same appreciation for history and meaning is part of everything we do here at ChickenMash Farm, from the items we carefully choose to share to the things we make by hand. It’s all part of a life built around care, memory, and the stories behind the things we hold onto.