stuffed animal: Llamacorn|Sugar Plum

The toy industry often introduces toys (intended for girls) that are fanciful, colorful, and magical. Sometimes these take on the form of a mermaid, narwhal, unicorn, or llama. In recent years, toy companies have even sought to combine these figures with results that remind consumers of cotton-candy, rainbows, flowers, and sunshine.

Rumors of unicorns have passed across the continents for hundreds of years. In the 4th century B.C. Greek doctor Ctesias described the creature in journal entries. Medieval art, like the Verteuil Tapestries, depicted images of unicorns. The Japanese unicorn was said to root out and punish criminals. In Chinese mythology, the presence of a unicorn served as a good omen. Sometimes a unicorn symbolized Christ and other times courtly love. Despite the various interpretations, unicorns tend to always be rare, powerful, and fantastical. Llamas, on the other hand, are a South American relative of the camel. In parts of the world, llamas are prized as both pets and cattle. They're herbivores known for being smart, gentle, easy to train, and helpful with transportation.

GUND merged a llama with a unicorn when they company introduced a mythical Llamacorn plush. The company touted "Sugar Plum's ultra-soft, uniquely textured pastel purple plush is accented by sparkling iridescent rainbow hooves, twisted horn, and fluffy tail, and a big, pink smile and long lashes that give her a sweet expression.... This magical creature makes a great gift for llama and unicorn enthusiast alike and lovers of whimsy."