ST. LOUIS, MO, Oct. 14, 2009 (Marketwire) --

ST. LOUIS, MO -- (Marketwire) -- 10/14/09 -- Santa's elves are chattering (and tweeting) about the new holiday gift ideas from Build-A-Bear Workshop®. According to early "Dear Santa" letters, the elves report that the hottest gift requests can be fulfilled with one-stop shopping at any of the more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores around the world or online at buildabear.com®. Straight from Santa's right-hand helpers, here are the top picks for everyone on the list and for every budget:

Quick, Convenient Gifts

Time-starved and stressed shoppers will find it easy to plow through their holiday lists with a variety of convenient new gift options from Build-A-Bear Workshop for less than anyone might think. For the first time in select stores, Build-A-Bear Workshop is offering "Gifts on the Go," an array of customized furry friends that are stuffed, dressed and conveniently packaged in gift sets making it easy and fun to find the perfect present for anyone -- family member, best friend, teacher, babysitter, boss, co-worker, college student -- and everyone. The sets are modestly priced starting at $15 and ranging to $40, with an array of price points in between. In addition, some stores will feature a special Build-A-Gift station offering pre-stuffed animals and a selection of clothing and accessory options all in one place for easy access (both options are available beginning in mid-November). Finally, holiday online shopping is easy and fun at buildabear.com (which has a whole new look set to launch on Nov. 3). Beginning in early November, shoppers can go through the Amazing Gift-O-Matic "gift generator" process that helps them identify the perfect gift based on an individual's character traits. And, there's always the "one click shopping" option that lets you choose a fully attired furry friend, click on it and you're set to go. Time online: A matter of minutes. And the elves ship fast.

Classic and New Holiday Gifts

Naturally, the elves follow the trends, but never leave tradition behind. In the classic gifts category, best bets to ensure holiday happiness include: Frosty the Snowman(TM), that jolly happy soul who's been delighting all of us for 40 years, is back by popular demand at Build-A-Bear Workshop, to once again laugh and play -- just as he promised. Frosty is joined by Holly and Hal Moose(TM), the antlered sibling duo introduced last year along with their story book, "Holly and Hal Moose(TM): Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure," and a series of webisodes. This year, families can start a new holiday tradition by watching Holly and Hal in a one-hour animated television special based on the book that will premiere on ABC Family during Thanksgiving week, Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 7:00 PM ET/PT (with an encore presentation on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 10 AM ET/PT). Families can relive the excitement of the movie by making their own Holly and Hal stuffed animal friends and dressing them in new signature outfits and accessories from their debut TV appearance. In addition, Build-A-Bear Workshop is introducing Lil' Robot Hal, a rogue robot in Santa's Workshop until he becomes Holly's loveable sidekick. "Holly and Hal Moose(TM): Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure" will be released on DVD on Nov. 25. In the new arrivals category: Make your own Alvin, star of the new movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakquel," will be joined by mini plush versions of his brothers, Simon and Theodore, and introducing Brittany, one of the Chippettes (arriving Dec. 11). Winter Hugs Bear, the fourth in the 2009 Seasons of Hugs Beary Limited® edition Collectibear® friends, and Polar Bear are other popular items for the snowy season ahead.