In August of 1997, I was very fortunate to receive some reliable information from my very good Beanie Baby friends in England. They were so excited because they knew the Ty Company was going to release 5 Holiday Beanies for all of us to enjoy!

They faxed me an official Ty Europe Ltd order blank and Lo and Behold!!! I am very well known for not spreading rumors and not price fixing in Beanie Land. I was so excited and MUM was the word. Do you have any idea how hard it is not to share Beanie Facts to all my wonderful Beanie Friends????? It is almost an impossible feat. I did not say a word! I did not want to spoil the surprise for everyone so MUM was the word.

The official Ty (UK) Ltd. order blank had listed: Batty - bat, style # 4035, Gobbles - turkey, style # 4034, Snowball - (no description) style # 4201, Spinner - spider, style # 4036, and last but not least - Holiday Teddy, style # 4200.

At Rosie Well's Show in October at the Inland Building in Westmont, Illinois they had arrived!!!!!!!!! People were scurrying around to sneak a peak at a few of the Holiday Beanies!!! I grabbed another very good Beanie Friend named Ed and I begged him to get me 1 of each!!!! Well I was soooooo excited. I put them in the endangered species cage along with the Dark Blue Peanut, Spotless Spot, Wingless Quackers and various other premiere Beanies. I usually wait and pay $5.00 for the new released Beanies but I was overcome with Beanie Brains!!!! I was so overwhelmed with excitement I loved the mauve colored Batty. He has velcro to connect his little wings. His actual style number is 4035. Gobbles is truly a work of art. His actual style number is 4034. Snowball has a red scarf with white fringe and a black felt hat with red trim. He has shinny eyes and 2 dull black round buttons on his front. I love his orange carrot nose! His black mouth is similar to some of the Spookys! Spinner shares the same fabric with Stripes and the majority of his body is black. He has eight legs and his little eyes are red thread. The 1997 Teddy has a red Santa hat and scarf. This Holiday Teddy fabric is very similar to Bones the dog however it is a little more golden.

I will share the poems and birthdays with you!!

Batty - Birthday 10-29-96

Bats may make some people jitter
Please don't be scared of this critter
If you're lonely or have nothing to do
This Beanie Baby would love to hug you!

Gobbles - Birthday 11-27-96

Gobbles the turkey loves to eat
Once a year she has a feast
I have a secret I'd like to divulge
If she eats too much her tummy will bulge!

Snowball - Birthday 12-22-96

There is a snowman, I've been told
That plays with Beanies out in the cold
What is better in a winter wonderland
Than a Beanie snowman in your hand!

Spinner - Birthday 10-28-96

Does this spider make you scared?
Among many people that feeling is shared
Remember spiders have feelings too
In fact, this spider really likes you!

1997 Teddy - Birthday 12-25-96

Beanie Babies are special no doubt
All filled with love - inside and out
Wishes for fun times filled with joy
Ty's holiday teddy is a magical toy!

I am sure the Ty Company will release thousands and thousands of the Holiday Beanies for Hanukkah and Christmas! Well at least I am hoping so the kids, their parents, and grandparents will be able to pay $5.00-$6.00 for these adorable Babies! I do remember last December Beanies were everywhere at least in the Chicago area!

My Holiday wish is: the Ty Company has enough of the new Babies and Princess for everyone across this country to enjoy this 1997 Holiday Season!!!

Garcia says "Click on one of us beanies to E-mail Beanie Phenomenon!" We welcome your comments , although regretfully, we cannot answer all Questions sent in.