I'm not sure how my family got into Squishmallows. Usually, we're not cool enough to hop on to Tik Tok trends, or even to be aware of them. However, we were certainly on top of the Squishmallow trend.

They were on Tik Tok a while ago. Not sure how long ago, but after Mini Brands and before the Crumbl Cookies. (we were on top of that one as well, in case you were wondering.) However, before Squishmallows hit the Internet, they hit the Target 15 minutes away from us. What a lucky find that was.

The first Squishmallow my family bought was a cat for my older cousin. Although I was a good two years younger than her, I was pretty sure that that is not what a 16 year old girl had in mind for her super cool, super grown up sweet 16 birthday. However, when my mom came back from Target glowing with a giant stuffed gray cat, I told her that yes, I just adored it. And yes, Sophia would just love to have that gray cat. My mother wrapped that cat up and shipped it across the country for my cousin’s introduction to adulthood. I washed my hands of that incident, and forgot about those oversized, babyish stuffed animals. Even if they were pretty cute. 

However, those round plushies didn’t stop rolling into my humble abode. Someone, anyone’s birthday was a reason to buy a new Squishmallow. It wasn’t long before they started piling up in our house. 

First was a gray cat. Two. A light pink butterfly with rainbow wings. Three was a teal boba. Four was a halfway unwrapped burrito. That’s all for me, but that’s not all for our family. I’ve got four siblings, and at least three Squishmallows each is twelve giant-sized Squishmallows for our little house. 

And I love my giant Squishmallows. My boba especially. That ever-smiling giant boba has flown halfway across the country to the east. Completed the other half by going west. Been jammed between siblings on a car ride. Been jammed by my head every night. 

So why are these Squishmallows so great? Here, I’ve compiled a list of the ways I use my Squishmallows, which I hope can suit your needs as well. 

1) As a pillow. Using a Squishmallow as a pillow redefines the word comfortable.
2) As back support on long car rides. (Road trips bring out previously unknown pains in all of us)
3) As a conversation starter. (Bond over your shared love for Squishmallows. Or don’t! Tell them why you love Squishmallows)
4) As room decor. Believe me, these giant sizes take up room. 

So to answer this question, Squishmallows are what I cannot live without. I might have even started sending them out as birthday gifts. Never ever to sweet 16 though.