HuggaBuddies is preparing for its biggest season of giving. For every BigBuddie sold, the brand donates comfort items to children in crisis. With expanded partnerships and rising holiday demand, the team invites the community to help bring comfort to families who need it most.
Salt Lake City, UT — November, 2025
As the holiday season approaches, HuggaBuddies, a mother-daughter-led comfort brand known for its weighted plush toys and sleep-friendly bedtime products, is preparing for its largest donation effort to date. While the holidays represent the busiest sales period of the year, the team sees something far more meaningful on the horizon. Every BigBuddie purchased helps fund a BabyBuddie donation for a child experiencing hardship, and this season the company is expanding its giving program in both size and reach.
HuggaBuddies has built its reputation around emotional comfort, connection, and the belief that small, meaningful moments can make a big difference in a child’s sense of security. Each donation bundle includes signature BabyBuddies, soft baby blankets, children’s bedtime books, sleep masks, and sensory supportive items that help create calm during stressful or traumatic situations. For many families, these simple comforts provide a moment of relief during an otherwise overwhelming time.
“It is one thing to sell comfort, it is another to give it,” said co-founder Megan Nelson. “Our mission has always been to support the emotional well-being of children, and that mission continues long after a customer receives a package. These donations let us show up in a real way, especially when comfort is needed most.”
Expanding Impact Beyond Traditional Partnerships
Last year, HuggaBuddies partnered with Primary Children’s Hospital and House of Hope to support kids receiving medical treatment and families navigating recovery. The success of that donation run inspired the team to expand their reach for the 2025 season.
This year, in addition to renewing their annual partnerships, HuggaBuddies extended support to families directly affected by the tragic shooting at an LDS church in Michigan. The team donated comfort items within days, demonstrating their commitment to responding quickly and compassionately to communities experiencing crisis. The brand’s social media post about the donation garnered significant attention, underscoring the HuggaBuddies community's strong connection to the mission.
Co-founder Kristy Nelson added, “When we started HuggaBuddies, our goal was simple: to give children a safe feeling to hold onto. Over time, we realized how many situations these products can support, from medical stays to trauma recovery to everyday emotional challenges. Seeing our customers rally behind this mission has been incredibly meaningful.”
The Heart Behind the Brand
HuggaBuddies began as a small idea between a mother and daughter who shared a passion for creating products that strengthen family bonding. Their BigBuddies and BabyBuddies were originally designed to help children feel calm during bedtime routines, sleepovers, and transitions. As customer stories poured in, many describing how the products helped children cope with anxiety or change, the founders realized their plushies could have a much larger purpose.
That purpose became the heart of their annual giving program, and the company has made donations a permanent part of its identity. Each year, the program grows by leveraging customer purchases to create a cycle of giving, making every order matter twice, once for the buyer and once for a child in crisis.
A Busy Season Ahead
With Utah market season underway, HuggaBuddies will appear at multiple local events where families can meet the team, learn about the mission, and shop products in person. For the founders, these markets are an important part of building community relationships and raising awareness.
Online orders are also rising rapidly as the holidays approach. Every purchase made between now and December directly contributes to the donation effort. Customers who buy a BigBuddie also help fund the BabyBuddie that will be placed into the hands of a child who needs emotional comfort during a difficult moment.
“Our community plays a huge role in everything we do,” Megan said. “Every time someone buys a BigBuddie, they give us the ability to reach another child who might be feeling scared, lonely, or overwhelmed. It is a ripple effect of comfort.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
The HuggaBuddies team is already exploring opportunities to expand its giving program next year. Goals include expanding hospital partnerships, accepting additional crisis response donations, and developing new product bundles specifically designed for children in emotional recovery.
The founders also plan to collaborate with more community organizations to identify children who would benefit most from comfort items. As the brand grows, so does its ability to scale these efforts.
“We will always be a family-run company with a heart-first mission,” Kristy explained. “If growth allows us to give more, support more families, and show up in more meaningful ways, then that is exactly where we want to go.”
Give Comfort This Season
HuggaBuddies invites the community to join the mission during the 2025 holiday giving push. To participate, customers can purchase BigBuddies online, share the campaign on social media, visit the team at Utah markets, or nominate organizations for future donation consideration.
Shop: https://huggabuddies.com/collections/huggabuddie-sets
Follow the mission: Instagram and Facebook @HuggaBuddies
Visit the team: Local Utah markets throughout the season HuggaBuddies City: Cottonwood Heights Address: 7760 Brighton Way Website: https://huggabuddies.com Email: contact@huggabuddies.com