By: Katelyn Norris
In a year full of isolation and social distancing, there has been one thing bringing BU students comfort and community: Squishmallows.
Squishmallows are the newest internet collectable obsession. These plush toys have blown up on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram and have brought a wave of young adult plush collectors. These stuffed animals are the Beanie Babies of Millenials and Cabbage Patch Kids of Gen X.
Junior Claire Harper said she is an avid collector of Squishmallows. She said her collection increased upon returning to BU in the fall, as one of her friends “recruited” her to buy them. Harper said Squishmallows overflow the space in her dorm room.
“It was earlier last semester that we saw them at Walgreens, and it has been a slow trickle of buying them ever since. Olivia got us into them, and then our friends would all go ‘Squishmallow hunting’ together,” Harper said.
Junior Ben Seifferlein said his girlfriend got him into collecting the plush toy, after one of hers was ruined in a washing machine. After taking a flamingo squish from her, he said was hooked and bought many of the Star Wars editions.
Seifferlein said he thinks his collection is different from others because he doesn’t collect for comfort or a cuddle buddy but rather for décor.
“I like them in the back of my Teams call. It’s a great conversation starter, and I’ve had many people send me Teams messages while I am in class,” Seifferlein said. “I’ll have them propped up and it looks put together and just adds to the aesthetic.”
On the other hand, junior Michael Farris said he enjoys them for comfort. He said he thinks a lot of college students are drawn to stuffed animals because they remind them of childhood and being young. Farris said he find them beneficial for his anxiety.
“I personally having anxiety. One day I was having an anxiety attack and there’s a lot of pressure on my chest and they actually help,” Farris said. “Then it turned into like a weird addiction because they’re cute, but it’s a bonus.”
Sophomore Vicky Alcorn said she has sought out the comfort of Squishmallows after a rough day. She said she has pulled her friends into buying them and accompanying her on her hunts.
“Whenever we are out or I am having a bad week, we always stop at Walgreens or Kroger, just to see if they are there. I mean they may enable me a little bit, but they know that they make me happy,” Alcorn said.
Junior Sam Yacovetta said he knows some students and other adults may look down upon young adults and college students owning Squishmallows. He said he thinks of them as a way to express himself, and he clips his Squishmallows to his Build-A-Bear Workshop uniform. The plush toy as an accessory has been a hit with customers.
“I think people judging others for like stuffed animals it’s kind of like an outdated view. I think that comes from self-consciousness, and they are projecting insecurity on the others. They are stuffed animals, and everyone should be able to like that they like,” Yacovetta said.
Harper said she has more connections with her other BU students through Squishmallows this year. She said she has felt a community aspect to owning and knowing about the collectable plushies.
“They have become great conversations starters. You’ll always meet someone on campus who either owns one of them, knows someone who does, or they know about them. They are a great way to bond,” Harper said.
Alcorn said she is grateful she became aware of the trend and is glad it has given her a piece of childhood to carry into her adult life.
“I think a lot of people judge college students for having stuffed animals because we are becoming adults and we should leave it behind. I am happy with my choice to still love stuffed animals and keep holding on to part of being young,” Alcorn said.