12 Deliciously Different Plush Toys

Look around the world wide web if you want to get a gift that no one else will think of, with a little help from your friendly mental_floss internet scouring service. Some of these plush toys are suitable for children, but not all of them!

1. Alex

Artist AngelaTiara made a rag doll version of Alex DeLarge from the 1971 film A Clockwork Orange. This was a custom order, but I hear you can contact her to have a doll made for yourself.

2. Biochemies

Jun Axup is a graduate student and science artist who started Biochemies as an art and comic site to make science fun and accessible. Biochemies is now branching out into the plush toys business, starting with these cute DNA molecules. The set includes adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine, all with magnets in the correct spots in order to bond with each other! You can pre-order yours through Kickstarter.

3. Admiral Akbar

It's not a trap! Jennifer at Handmade Stuffs made this 18-inch tall Admiral Ackbar doll to guide your troops safely to victory against the forces of the Dark Side.

4. Slimer

Jennifer's Etsy Store, Handmade Stuffs, is full of plush characters you won't find at the local toy store. She's got a cuddly Skeletor, Hellboy, Mr. T, and this soft Slimer from the movie Ghostbusters.

5. Two-headed Teddies

Sara at The Tangled Web makes and sells knitted mustaches and anatomical hearts, but I particularly like the two-headed teddy bear. The heads are not identical -they have different-colored eyes! It also has two hearts for twice the love. And get this -the felt fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles.

6. Companion Cube

The cake may be a lie, but the Weighted Companion Cube Plush is real. And you can choose not to incinerate it! If this makes any sense, you must be a fan of the game Portal. The Companion Cube cushions your Portal dreams and is available from Think Geek.

7. Pancakes

How tasty it would be to cuddle up with a stack of pancakes! A stack of three includes a pat of butter and a smile.

8. Pillow Fight!

Swinging a plush sword or light saber makes an everyday pillow fight into something awesome. Bryan Ku's Pillow Fight! is, sadly, an art project at this point, and not (yet) mass-produced. He made these weapons and explosives by silk screening fabric.

9. Edward Gorey's Black Doll

The Black Doll is a creepy unfinished rag doll that appeared in many of the author/illustrator's stories. Now you can have your own!

A life long friend of Edward Gorey's made The Black Doll for him in 1942. Gorey visited her while she was making it and upon seeing it insisted on keeping it in its unfinished state, lacking a face, arms and clothing. In spite of her objection, Edward Gorey prevailed. It may be the first recorded instance of Gorey's enduring dedication to engaging the imagination. The incomplete Black Doll has remained a recurring enigma for almost 70 years appearing in many of Gorey's books and drawings as well as being the subject of his silent screenplay. This is the first time The Black Doll has been produced for Edward Gorey's devoted following.

The doll is offered in a limited run of only 2,000, in conjunction with the Edward Gorey Charitable Trust.

10. Nyan Cat

Most likely to be named the biggest meme of 2011, Nyan Cat comes in many handmade plush versions, but every time I try to track one down, someone buys it! As of this morning, the plush Nyan Cat shown here is available from Etsy seller SunlitDaydreams.

11. Red Shirt Bunny

This brave bunny looks as if he knows what fate befalls all Star Trek red shirts! He is a Woolykin, and was sold almost as fast as he appeared. Jennifer Hugon is the artist behind the Woolykins, which have been made in other cuddly pop culture critter forms. If you want one, you'll have sign up at her Etsy shop to be notified when she returns from maternity leave.

12. Teddy Scares

Teddy Scares are teddy bear zombies! The bear pictured here is named Sheldon Grogg. The bears come in both 6-inch and 12-inch sizes, and each come with their own dreadful backstory.