A woman who spent nearly £5,000 on stuffed animals in a year says it’s how she bonds with her husband.
Damali Araceli Gutierrez, 21, and her partner, Cuitlahuac Cervantes, 22, are both obsessed with stuffed animals that come in all shapes and sizes, known as plushies.
They share their house with 650 Squishmallows – a special type of toy by Kelly Toys – and connect by going shopping for them together.
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She says people call her hobby “childish” but it has given her a sense of “community”.
The couple currently keep the toys in the bedroom but are in the process of moving and intend to create a special room for them.
“It’s always been a way [for] me and my husband [to] bond,” Damali, from California, US, told What’s The Jam.
“We go shopping – or ‘squish hunting’ – together, and look forward to new releases.
“I collect them because I think they’re cute and I’ve found a sense of community.
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“I get criticised a lot because people think it’s childish but I’m an adult with adult money and I can buy whatever I want.”
Damali and her husband have been collecting the plushies for around a year.
She shares their impressive haul on Instagram (@moremallows4mee ) with one of her recent videos gaining 49,000 likes and 1.1m views.
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The content creator said: “I’ve gotten most of them from my husband, family and friends but I’d say I’ve spent roughly $6000 (£4,790).
“My family thinks it’s impressive that I’ve managed to collect so many in just a year.”
The soft toy enthusiast says she only buys plushies she really likes, but does have a secret favourite called Amelie.
Damali said: “Every time I see that [toy] I want to get it again and again and again.
“It’s a strawberry milk and I just think it’s so cute.”
Despite eagerly sharing her passion for the toys, many social media users disagree with the unconventional hobby.
“Grow up little girl,” said one person.
“This is literally hoarding,” aded someone else.
Another user chimed in: “Spiders, dust, fire hazard – what more could you want.”
But Damali doesn’t let this phase her.
She added: “No matter what you do someone will having something negative to say.
“I really enjoy what sharing my collection has brought me.
“It has done a lot of inner healing for me that I didn’t know I needed.
“I have inspired others to post their own collections and not to be ashamed of what people may think.
“So be yourself and do what makes you happy.”
READ MORE: ‘I keep 1,000 dolls in a giant shed in my garden – they’re my babies’
