One day, I was browsing the internet trying to see what I could get for my friend's birthday. I wasn't really looking for anything in particular. However, I was trying to find a gift that shows I put some thought into it. I also wanted to get him something that he could use, and if not at least something he would remember it came from me. Something more personal, so to speak. I came across many items, all of which were great ideas. Unfortunately some of them were out of my budget. I knew that he would probably love a new laptop or cell phone, but I allocated a different amount for my present. I also found some other gifts, but these were beyond my expertise. I am not the most tech savvy person, so any gadget seems amazing to me. Therefore, I could not really trust myself with buying the newest play station or video game.

At one point I stumbled upon some gift suggestions on a blog and I saw an interesting proposal: stuffed animals. My first reaction was: too bad he is not young anymore, because that would have been an awesome present. So I clicked away, looking for other suggestions. But the thought of plush animals stayed in my mind. And the more I was thinking about it, and the less of anything else I could find, a soft toy seemed to work even for an adult.

We have a misconception that toys are only for kids. However, it is not the case. At one point cartoons were children's entertainment, and now Family Guy and the Simpsons are widely viewed and enjoyed by adults. Very few of them actually acknowledge the fact that these shows are cartoons. Not to mention that superheroes and their animated versions are popular among kids and their parents alike. So then, how could stuffed toys be only for children?

Since I realized that they weren't, I decided to find a plush animal that my friend would like. I did not have the fortune of him being a stuffed toy collector, as the blog I read was mentioning. However, I realized that plush animals nowadays are more than just soft teddy bears. There are so many varieties and animals out there that I felt so happy, as if I discovered a treasure. With that in mind, I started thinking about any animals that could make me connect to our long friendship. With very little effort, my little breakthrough, the way I called it, came.

When we were younger we used to love watching the Wizard of Oz together. He actually loved it so much that he acted the part of the lion in our school's play. That's what led him to his acting and modeling career. We often make fun of how a scary lion made him become such a confident performer. So without any hesitation, I started looking for a stuffed lion.

To my surprise, I found quite a few, in many sizes. I got him a great looking stuffed lion and I attached a nice card, explaining its meaning. He absolutely loved it. He placed it right next to the couch, facing the TV. This way the lion sees what he achieved whenever one of his ads or movies is playing. There you have it! Despite our beliefs, stuffed animals are a great gift for adults. So whenever you find yourself looking for a gift, remember what a great present they can be, regardless of a person's age.