build-a-bear

Mall plush customization

Build-A-Bear is a retail chain where customers, typically children, assemble their own stuffed animals by selecting a skin, having it stuffed, and adding accessories.

The experience has become shorthand for anything customizable or assembled to personal specifications: It's like Build-A-Bear for computers.

The phrase sometimes appears in dating contexts to describe someone who seems ideal because you've projected qualities onto them rather than seeing them clearly.

product

plush

Thick-pile soft fabric

stuffed animalSoft toy with filling
bunnyInformal term for rabbit
teddyOne-piece intimate garment

outfit · accessory · costume · clothing · shoes · sound chip · scent · voice · birth certificate · box

experience

workshop

Place for making or learning

stuffingSeasoned mixture for cavities
heartCirculatory system's pump
ceremonyFormal event marking occasions

wish · mall · birthday · party · station · fluff · pedal · creation · personalization · memory

brand

franchise

Licensed business operation

storeRetail establishment
trademarkRegistered commercial identifier
collectibleObject worth amassing

merchandise · licensed · Disney · Marvel · Pokemon · Star Wars · Sanrio · collaboration · limited edition · exclusive

Opposites

customization vs. mass production

build-a-bearoff-the-shelf

Prepackaged and ready-to-use

one-size-fits-all

experiential retail vs. transactional retail

build-a-bearvending machine

Automated product dispenser

online checkout · impulse buy · Costco · self-checkout

object permanence and attachment

build-a-bearparty favor

Small memento for guests

carnival prize · stocking stuffer

Family

build, bear, builds, built, building, builder, builders, buildings, bears

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Known to kids · Mostly American · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G