The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Squishmallows — Features, Varieties & Buying Tips
Christmas Squishmallows are the plush-y, squishy, holiday-themed cousins of the wildly popular Squishmallows line. They combine the brand’s signature marshmallow-soft texture with festive designs, seasonal characters, and limited-time exclusives that make them perfect as gifts, holiday décor, or collector items. This long-form guide walks you through everything a buyer or collector would want to know: what makes Christmas Squishmallows special, the most common types and sizes, how to spot exclusives, pricing expectations, care and display tips, and smart buying strategies so you get the best seasonal finds.
What are Christmas Squishmallows?
Christmas Squishmallows are Squishmallows released specifically for the holiday season. They can be:
- festive recolors of existing characters (e.g., a rabbit wearing a Santa hat),
- entirely new seasonal characters (e.g., “Jingle the Reindeer”), or
- holiday-themed variants of popular cores (e.g., Halloween or Valentine’s Day transitions into Christmas designs).
They typically come with the same soft marshmallow texture, embroidered faces, and character hangtags that identify name, squad, and an item code — but with holiday prints, seasonal accessories (tiny felt hats, scarves), unique embroidery, or special hangtag art.
Squishmallows Original 24-Day Micromallows Holiday Plush Advent Calendar
Squishmallows Original 5-Inch Holiday 4-Pack
Squishmallows Original 5-Inch Christmas Mystery Box 5 Pack
Squish-a-longs Holiday Countdown Calendar – Includes 24 Mini-Squish
Squishmallows Original 12in Grinch with Heart
Squishmallows Original 12in Buddy The Elf – Official Jazwares Plush
Squishmallows Original 8-Inch Clarice & Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Squishmallows Amazon Exclusive Holiday Fox 14” Plush
Squishmallows Original 12-Inch Tolef Cookie Bear
Squishmallows Original 16-Inch Matthew White Moose with Scarf
Squishmallows 10-Inch Cam The Winter Holiday Cat
Squishmallows Original 10″ Falala The Pink Christmas Deer
Why collectors and shoppers love them
- Seasonal exclusivity — many are produced only for a single holiday season and never reissued in the same form. That scarcity drives collector interest.
- Giftability — their universal appeal, wide size options, and friendly designs make them easy, low-risk gifts for all ages.
- Decor-friendly — their soft shapes and bright seasonal colors work well as tree ornaments (small sizes), mantel décor, or stocking stuffers.
- Collector variety — holiday lines often introduce multiple variants and limited runs (retailer exclusives, event drops), giving collectors lots to seek.
- High perceived value — a themed Squishmallow often feels more special than a generic plush because of the seasonal connection.
Typical Christmas Squishmallow types and sizes
Squishmallows are produced in several standard sizes; Christmas releases follow the same sizing and pricing logic:
- 3–4 inch (Mini) — great as ornaments, keychain-size collectibles, or stocking stuffers. Often come as blind-box mini releases.
- 5 inch (Small) — popular, affordable, and highly giftable.
- 8 inch (Standard) — the most common retail size; good balance of price and display presence.
- 12 inch (Large) — more plush surface, better for cuddling and photography.
- 16 inch & up (Jumbo) — statement pieces for displays and higher price points.
Holiday releases tend to appear across multiple sizes, but sometimes retailers carry only minis or 8-inch versions of a particular character. Retail exclusives can be size-specific (e.g., a 12″ only sold at one store).
Common Christmas themes & character ideas
Retail and official lines typically include a mix of the following motifs:
- Classic Santa & Elves — Santa Claus, elves, toy-shop assistants.
- Winter animals — reindeer, penguins, polar bears, owls, foxes with scarves or Santa hats.
- Religious/Traditional designs — nativity-adjacent characters or muted winter designs (where market-appropriate).
- Holiday foods — gingerbread, candy cane, hot cocoa characters.
- New Year / Winter Solstice variants — characters decked with fireworks, confetti patterns, or winter constellations.
- Ugly sweater / sweater-pattern Squishmallows — plushes wearing iconic knit-print designs.
Designs vary by year; some years emphasize cute nostalgia, other years trend toward bright neon or pastel “retro” looks.
Retailer exclusives & limited editions
During the holiday season, many retailers secure exclusive Squishmallows or special bundles. Common exclusive channels include: big-box stores (Target, Walmart), specialty chains (Hot Topic, BoxLunch), membership retailers (Costco, Sam’s Club), and online exclusives via the brand or partner retailers. Exclusive items may be:
- unique colorways,
- additional small accessories (plush scarf or tiny stocking),
- or bundled sets (e.g., a family-of-four holiday Squishmallows).
Limited editions are often produced in smaller runs, sold through flash drops, or released at pop-up events — which is why collecting communities treat holiday drops seriously.
How to spot authentic Christmas Squishmallows
Authenticity matters for collectors and for buying as gifts. Watch for:
- Original hangtag — official tagging lists character name, “Squishmallows” branding, and manufacturer info (Kellytoy/Jazwares). Seasonal tags may include holiday artwork.
- Material & stitching quality — genuine Squishmallows have that distinctive marshmallow plush and even stitching. Counterfeits often use cheaper fabric or sloppy seams.
- Retail channel — buying from established toy retailers or the official brand page reduces risk.
- Price vs. market — if a “rare” holiday Squishmallow is priced suspiciously low on a marketplace, it may be misrepresented.
- Packaging & accessories — limited editions sometimes have numbered tags or special packaging—ask sellers to photograph these details.
Gift ideas and display uses
- Advent calendar strategy: Use minis or 5″ as daily surprises in an advent countdown.
- Stocking stuffers: Minis and 5″ sizes fit perfectly.
- Themed gift bundles: Pair a holiday Squishmallow with hot chocolate, holiday socks, or a mini book for a cozy gift.
- Decor: Place several on mantels, under the tree, or create a seasonal “Squishmallow village” display.
- Tree ornaments: Minis with a ribbon loop make cute, soft ornaments for kid-friendly trees.
Collector tips for holiday lines
- Record the tag details — take photos of the hangtag and UPC when you buy; these help validate authenticity later.
- Monitor retailer restocks — some retailers periodically restock popular styles during the season.
- Set alerts — create saved searches on marketplaces for specific character names or item codes.
- Join fan groups — collectors share sightings, shipment anomalies, and trade opportunities.
- Buy multiples if you love it — if you see a must-have holiday variant in stock, grab a spare if you’re collecting or gifting (supplies run out fast).
- Document provenance — for valuable seasonal releases, keep receipts and original packaging to maintain resale value.
Common buyer FAQs
Q: Are Christmas Squishmallows limited runs?
A: Some are — many holiday designs are limited to a season, but not all. Retail exclusives and event drops are most likely to be limited.
Q: Will popular holiday Squishmallows be reissued?
A: Sometimes a design will be reissued in a later year, often with slight changes to hangtag art or embroidery. Reissues dilute scarcity for collectors, so if scarcity matters, don’t assume a reissue won’t happen.
Q: How do I know if a seasonal Squishmallow is a true collectible?
A: Look at production indicators (limited tags, numbered runs), retailer exclusivity, and community chatter — sustained high demand and low supply typically designate a collectible.
Q: Can kids play with holiday Squishmallows or should I keep them mint?
A: It depends on your priorities. If the piece is valuable or limited, you may want to preserve it. But many holiday Squishmallows are made to be hugged and enjoyed — keep the tag if you might sell later.
Final thoughts
Christmas Squishmallows are a charming blend of plush comfort and seasonal spirit. Whether you’re hunting for a special holiday gift, building a festive display, or adding scarce holiday variants to a collection, these themed Squishmallows deliver strong emotional appeal and often meaningful collector value. The keys to success are knowing the typical release patterns, authenticating tags and materials, acting fast on reputable drops, and using community resources for hard-to-find items.