In 1997, eBay had auctioned off $500 million worth of the plush toys, accounting for more than 6% of the site's total sales. And the following year, Ty's sales surpassed $1 billion for the first time.

One Christmas-themed plushie, closely related to the iconic TY Beanie Baby, has had the internet in a state of cuteness-induced hypnosis over the past week. Enter "Cookie," a Brown Gingerbread TY ...

and somewhat rounded stuffed animals; Build-A-Bear says this style of stuffed animal has existed for decades, including Squishables, Ty’s Beanie Ballz, and Kid Robot’s Yummy World stuffed animals.