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 ...

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.

"There was always a ball and there was always plush, but never before were they brought together!" said Ty Warner. The creator of the original Beanie Babies phenomenon brings new magic to the ...