Teenie Beanies

Teenie Beanies are a line of stuffed toys created by the Ty company. They were first introduced in 1996 as a promotional giveaway with McDonald's Happy Meals during the fast-food chain's 25th anniversary. The toys quickly gained popularity, becoming a sought-after collectible and a cultural phenomenon in the late 1990s.

History

The first series of Teenie Beanies were released in 1996, featuring a collection of 10 miniature versions of popular Beanie Babies. The promotion was so successful that it led to a shortage of Happy Meals and the toys were often sold out. This led to the creation of a secondary market, with some Teenie Beanies fetching high prices.

In the following years, Ty and McDonald's continued their partnership, releasing new series of Teenie Beanies annually. Each series typically consisted of 10 to 20 different toys, often mirroring popular Beanie Babies of the time.

Popularity and Impact

The popularity of Teenie Beanies can be attributed to the Beanie Baby craze of the 1990s. The toys were seen as a way to own a piece of the Beanie Baby phenomenon at a fraction of the cost. The promotional aspect also added to their appeal, as it created a sense of urgency and scarcity.

The impact of Teenie Beanies extended beyond the toy industry. They were often used as a case study in marketing and economics classes, illustrating the power of supply and demand, as well as the influence of marketing on consumer behavior.

Collecting

Collecting Teenie Beanies became a popular hobby in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Like Beanie Babies, the toys came with a heart-shaped tag that included the toy's name and a short poem. The condition of the tag often affected the toy's value, with toys with mint condition tags being more valuable.

While the craze has since died down, there remains a dedicated group of collectors who continue to seek out and trade Teenie Beanies.

See Also

• Beanie Babies
• Ty Inc.
• McDonald's

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