Mary Tyler Moore Hat Toss Inspires New SantaBear In Minneapolis

I remember when I was in Junior High and Santa Bear stuffed animals were really a thing. It was something that people wanted as soon as Dayton's released them. They went through stages too - and through the years, the bears were more expensive and smaller. Doesn't that just seem like what happens to everything - candy bars. Anyway, they were always the collector item. I still have one from 1986. And it's one of the bigger ones before they downsized the bear.

REMEMBER SANTA BEAR STUFFIES HAD A THEME FROM YEAR TO YEAR

There were several years when the bears would have a theme. At one point, Mr and Mrs SantaBear got married. And there was a bride and groom bear. It was fun.

This year, they are bringing back the SantaBear through the Dayton's Holiday Market in Minneapolis. The bear will be paying homage to the iconic Mary Tyler Moore hat toss that's a statue on Nicollet and 7th in Minneapolis.

From CBS News:

The bear wears Richards' peacoat with anchor buttons, carries a little black handbag and, of course, has the unmistakable beret. A statue at Nicollet and 7th in Minneapolis honors the groundbreaking 1970s sitcom "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and its lasting impact on the city's national image. The bear brings the moment of Richards tossing her hat in the air to life in a way fans can take home.

THE SANTABEAR ISN'T THE LEAST EXPENSIVE COLLECTIBLE YOU WILL FIND

This SantaBear isn't cheap, either. But it's something that you can keep, it's iconic, and also 10% of the proceeds from every purchase goes to the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative.

The Mary Tyler Moore Santabear costs $129. It will be available at Dayton's Holiday Market at the Dayton's Project along Nicollet Mall, starting with a sneak-peek pre-sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A TRADITIONAL SANTABEAR RELEASED THIS YEAR

The SantaBear made a comeback a few years ago in 2022. They aren't as big as they used to be. But still super cute. There will also be the traditional SantaBear released this year too.

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Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz