Gallery

hippohugca

We help with anxiety, pain & sleep issues. Proudly Canadian, we custom make our luxury weighted blankets in Calgary

Honestly, this is the best job! Loved being able t

Honestly, this is the best job! Loved being able to test out the new Signature Weighted Animal design while I was working. Monstro is as big as his name sounds. This gentle giant is 12lbs of pure huggable love. Can’t wait to get him up on the website! #weightedanimal #whale #bluewhale #ocean #whalewatching #sea #marinelife #weightedplush #sensory #sensorytoy #weightedstuffedtoy #therapytoys #plushie #yyc #madelocal #customplush

Why are we so proud to be a Made Local business? C

Why are we so proud to be a Made Local business? CEO, Leslie Brooks, explains.... "I think every busines has had the one moment where they think about the economics of doing business overseas. But everytime that I have been approached about it I can't bring myself to do it. Would the bottom line be better? Maybe. But I am much happier knowing that I create jobs that support local families and other small businesses. By manufacturing here in Calgary, we are able to create items that truly cater to our client's wants and needs. Most of all I am delighted that we foster connections with our clients by providing expert advice and care as we help them select the perfect item for them. That's why I love being a 'Made in Canada' company." #BuyLocalYYC #CustomMade #Sensory #Comfort #Anxiety #Therapy #Autism #ShopLocal #Insomnia #GetSleep #Hug #WeightedBlanket #MadeLocally

Storytime! We had a dad and daughter come in one d

Storytime! We had a dad and daughter come in one day to look for a weighted blanket she could take with her to college. The daughted tried a bunch of different sizes and weights and when she switched blankets, she would stack them on her dad and they would both laugh. When he had about three on him, our sales associate asked if she could remove them because that much weight was probably getting uncomfortable. Deadeyed he looked at our associate and said, "Don't worry, I like working undercover." 😂😂😂 Happy Father's Day and cheers to telling all the dad jokes you want today!

Did you know the Government of Canada estimates th

Did you know the Government of Canada estimates that approximately 25% of North Americans are shift workers? Nurses, emergency room doctors, air traffic controllers, medical sonographers, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, security guards, taxi/rideshare drivers, hospitality workers, and counsellors all tend to work grueling overnight shifts. They are at the ready to help when everyone else is relaxing and getting ready for another day. Weighted blankets for shift workers are Hippo Hug’s way of promoting the restful sleep these folks need and deserve to be happy and healthy at work. So How Can a Weighted Blanket Help? Shift workers often arrive home at odd hours hoping to go directly to sleep in order to make the most of the precious few daylight hours available to them. This can be extremely difficult, as there is no time to decompress and allow for blood pressure to drop and adrenalin levels to go down. If your body cannot relax into sleep when your shift work schedule has sleep routine out of sync, then a weighted blanket could help you get to sleep quickly and promote more quality rest. Weighted blankets for shift workers can assist through their application of deep pressure touch stimulation, and they can be used any time of the day. Deep, even pressure provides both physical and psychological benefits. Like a massage, deep pressure results in a relaxing and calming feeling. The weight and pressure can encourage the production of serotonin, which decreases heart rates and reduces blood pressure. There is also evidence weighted blankets may increase the production of melatonin, which is known to promote a good night’s sleep.

Okay you guys, we can BEAR-ly contain ourselves. J

Okay you guys, we can BEAR-ly contain ourselves. Just look at how amazing our newest Signature Animal is! So many of you asked for a classic teddy bear and Tammy created Amigo with you all in mind. 16" long by 6" inches wide, they can be weighted up to 7lbs. For this photo, we dolled him up with one of our beard masks but you could probably fit him into a newborn t-shirt or large size doll clothes. You can order him online by clicking on weighted animals. Or can further customize him by adding an embroidered name or date to his foot by emailing us at info@hippohug.ca. #WeightedAnimals #Sensory #Deeppressuretouch #TeddyBear #ShopLocal #MadeLocal #yyc #OccupationalTherapy #hug #plushies #teddy #stuffedanimals #bear #toy #madewithlove❤️

On the table, Mug Hugs!! Our semi-fitted design ha

On the table, Mug Hugs!! Our semi-fitted design has a more comfortable fit and structure that keeps the fabric off your mouth area for easy breathing, even during workouts! All Mug Hugs are made with three layers and come standard with ear loops. But don’t worry if you want a previous design such as fitted or pleated you can make that request via email. So check them out for yourselves or your loved ones by going to our bio and visiting our website. #Masks #MadeLocally #ShopLocal #ComfortFit #StayHealthy #WeAreInThisTogether #facemask #YYC #MadeInCanada

We need your help! We’re almost out of the Grey

We need your help! We’re almost out of the Grey Pearl Essentials cotton choice (all remaining stock is reflected online) What should be our next essentials choice to compete with the blue, because grey was the clear winner? One side will remain Cuddle Charcoal, which cotton should be its match? One or Two, vote by posting your choice as a comment Number one is called Black Dress
Number two is call Grey Couture #shoplocal #shopyyc

We restocked our signature animals in all the colo

We restocked our signature animals in all the colours of the rainbow! While these shelves are mostly full of hippos there's also a sneak peek of our newest creation - a classic teddy bear. Check out our full lineup of amazing animals on our website and purchase using the code FYREFLY which will give you 5% off your order with an additional 10% going to Camp FYrefly.

Chewing is a behavior that is exhibited by many pe

Chewing is a behavior that is exhibited by many people as a way to focus and cope with anxiery of sensory overload. It’s extremely common to see children and students who chew on pencils, their clothes, erasers, or even paper. But chewing on clothing or random items can be dangerous. Found items could contain toxins and chewing on random items could damage teeth. Which is where ARK Chewlery comes in handy. These silicone chewables are tough, but also flexible and soft. Made in a variety of styles, these necklaces, bracelets and even toothpicks, are perfect for on-the-go oral sensory input. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, thicknesses, and toughness levels to best fit a variety of sensory preferences. Each design comes in three color-coded toughness levels for mild to moderate to avid chewing. The long slender shapes are sized to reach the back molars, and the textured options provide extra tactile input for sensory seekers. Tips and Tricks to selecting Chewlery:
We recommend starting with the standard/softest level by default. Unless the person chews through or causes damage to things that they currently chew on, in which case it’s usually best to go up to the middle XT level (if you want something that will last longer).
If someone does chew through things – it’s possible they may eventually need the toughest XXT level, but we usually don’t recommend getting that one right off the bat (unless they’ve already chewed through other chews and/or very hard items like legos, hard plastic toys, wooden items, etc.). Otherwise, XXT may be too hard for their liking. When in doubt, we always recommend leaning towards something softer rather than harder. We’ve never had anyone ever say they didn’t like a chew because it was too soft (they may eventually chew through it and need something tougher, but they’ll still use the chewier ones). But we do sometimes hear that someone didn’t like their chew because it was too hard. https://hippohug.ca/product/chewelry/ #chewlery #stylish #sensoryplay #chemicalfree #sensory #shoplocal #autism #adhd #calm

Chewing is a behavior that is exhibited by many pe

Chewing is a behavior that is exhibited by many people as a way to focus and cope with anxiery of sensory overload. It’s extremely common to see children and students who chew on pencils, their clothes, erasers, or even paper. But chewing on clothing or random items can be dangerous. Found items could contain toxins and chewing on random items could damage teeth. Which is where ARK Chewlery comes in handy. These silicone chewables are tough, but also flexible and soft. Made in a variety of styles, these necklaces, bracelets and even toothpicks, are perfect for on-the-go oral sensory input. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, thicknesses, and toughness levels to best fit a variety of sensory preferences. Each design comes in three color-coded toughness levels for mild to moderate to avid chewing. The long slender shapes are sized to reach the back molars, and the textured options provide extra tactile input for sensory seekers. Tips and Tricks to selecting Chewlery:
We recommend starting with the standard/softest level by default. Unless the person chews through or causes damage to things that they currently chew on, in which case it’s usually best to go up to the middle XT level (if you want something that will last longer).
If someone does chew through things – it’s possible they may eventually need the toughest XXT level, but we usually don’t recommend getting that one right off the bat (unless they’ve already chewed through other chews and/or very hard items like legos, hard plastic toys, wooden items, etc.). Otherwise, XXT may be too hard for their liking. When in doubt, we always recommend leaning towards something softer rather than harder. We’ve never had anyone ever say they didn’t like a chew because it was too soft (they may eventually chew through it and need something tougher, but they’ll still use the chewier ones). But we do sometimes hear that someone didn’t like their chew because it was too hard. https://hippohug.ca/product/chewelry/ #chewlery #stylish #sensoryplay #chemicalfree #sensory #shoplocal #autism #adhd #calm

Shop Talk Sunday! We don't have binders of women B

Shop Talk Sunday! We don't have binders of women BUT we do have binders with all the patterns for our 'Signature Animals' (there's a reference for the Wayback Machine...) Anyways, because all of our patterns are developed and manufactured in Calgary we have lots of control over how they are made. The other thing that makes how we manufacture so special is we can find incredible ways to use the offcuts from our blankets. In this case, we turned the scraps into strips and sewed them together creating the stunning rainbow for Alfred the Bat/Madame Chiroptera's wings and ears. Remember, for the month of June, when you use the code FYREFLY you will get 5% off your order. AND In addition to that discount, we will give 10% to @campfyrefly to continue their programs. #calgarypride #pride #giveback #yyc #MadeInCalgary #ShopLocal #CampFyrefly

The Essentials line of Hippo Hug Weighted Blankets

The Essentials line of Hippo Hug Weighted Blankets are made up of our three most often ordered sizes and weights. In over ten years in business we noted that this size and these weights were perfect for a large number of our clients. A 40×60″ weighted blanket can easily be used children, seniors, teens or adults. See The Essentials Line here: https://hippohug.ca/pre-made-products/ As always our proprietary disk system ensures an even distribution of weight, with minimal noise as you move throughout the night. You can feel the weights but they stay where we have put them and there is no shifting of weight and little to no sound associated with the weighting system. Our Essentials has Blue Pearl Cotton on one side and navy cuddle trimmed in a complimentary dark blue binding. If you have any questions please email us at sales@hippohug and we will be more than happy to help you determine the best weight for your order.

New record - five seconds to finish a blanket! Oka

New record - five seconds to finish a blanket! Okay, Kim is fast but not that fast, however she did get this 40x70”, 11lb blanket ready-to-ship in record time. The only thing we need before it goes on the website is a name 🤔

Did you know we have a size for every occasion? It

Did you know we have a size for every occasion? It's true! While we are best known for our therapeutic weighted blankets we do make a variety of more portable sizes that are wonderful for work, travel, medical appointments, or for use with wheelchairs. Like our blankets, they offer the same calming effects to match various people and needs. Wondering what your best fit would be? Call or visit and let us help you find the perfect weighted item to cuddle up with. Featured Item - Under the Sea - 30x40" 9lb Travel/Lap Blanket #WeightedBlanket #Travel #MadeinCanada #EnhanceYourSleep #BuyYYC #Sensory #Comfort #Anxiety #Therapy #Autism #ShopLocal #Insomnia #GetSleep #Hug

We love it when you send us photos of your blanket

We love it when you send us photos of your blankets in the wild! This one is 'The Bees Knees', a 40x70" 21lb blanket, that winged it's way out to Vancouver and is obviously living it's best beach life!

We went all out and gave Alfred the Bat a makeover

We went all out and gave Alfred the Bat a makeover for the month June. What's your vote? Should he 'Shantay you stay' as part of our Signature Collection or 'Sashay away'? Remember, for the month of June, when you use the code FYREFLY you will get 5% off your order. AND In addition to that discount, we will give 10% to @campfyrefly to continue their programs. #calgarypride #pride #giveback #yyc #MadeInCalgary #ShopLocal #CampFyrefly

We often get the question, “What weight is right

We often get the question, “What weight is right for me” This can be challenging to answer because weight is very much be a personal preference. While one person might like a weighted blanket that is at their maximum another may find that far too much. So let's look at two of the most common reasons people buy Hippo Hug Weighted Blankets: For anxiety: People looking for an anxiety weighted blanket tend to choose weight at the top end of their weight range (18+ pounds). Often, customers tell me that when they are having a panic attack they crave the weight of another human on them. Or, we hear that during a bad time they will have their pet sit in their lap. Most people and pets will weigh more than a weighted blanket, but that doesn’t mean your blanket needs to weigh as much as a person or pet. A consistent and constant pressure is what you’re craving. For sleep comfort without anxiety: Some people use extra blankets to get the weight and enclosure they crave during sleep. Extra blankets can overheat and lead to discomfort. For these people, we recommend a weighted blanket in the 14- to 18-pound range. Despite being able to safely go heavier, they might be looking for comfort weight as opposed to therapeutic weight. Just heavy enough to replace all those hot extra blankets. A regular blanket weighs in the range of 2 to 6 pounds depending on thickness and size. So, if you sleep with 3 to 5 extra blankets a weighted blanket that is 14 to 8 pounds will be more than sufficient. Not sure what would be best? Contact us at info@hippohug.ca or 587-356-0633 to have a conversation about your specific needs. OR if you are in the Calgary area, please come by and visit the shop where you can try out different weights and sizes. #WeightedBlankets #MadeInCanada #MadeInCalgary #Sleep #Insomnia #anxiety #ShopLocal

Have you heard of 'Sleep-in Saturdays'? If not, yo

Have you heard of 'Sleep-in Saturdays'? If not, you're going to love it! A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research provides hope that some of these negative effects can be made up for by getting extra sleep over the weekend. The study followed more than 43,000 adults in Sweden for 13 years and compared death rates in that time period with participants’ self-reported sleep habits. The researchers found that adults younger than 65 who consistently slept five or fewer hours were 65% more likely to die early than those who slept six to seven hours a night on average. (Sleeping eight or more hours a night was also associated with an increased risk, of 25%.) But those who reported short sleep during the week and long sleep on the weekends seemed protected: Despite skimping on shuteye Sunday through Thursday nights, they had no increased mortality risk compared to those who consistently got six to seven hours. “It seems that weekday short sleep may be forgiven by weekend compensation,” lead study author Torbjörn Åkerstedt, a professor of psychology at the Karolinska Institutet, told Health in an email. In other words, it may be healthier in the long run, to catch up on lost sleep over the weekend than to keep a shortened sleep schedule all seven days. (That said, if sleep is an ongoing problem, we would love to talk to you about the therapeutic benefits of a weighted blanket.)

We mentioned that we are supporting Camp FYrefly A

We mentioned that we are supporting Camp FYrefly Alberta during June so let's do a quick introduction. Camp fYrefly is a transformational summer experience for sexual and gender minority (SGM) and allied youth. At camp, kids who have grappled with bullying, fear, depression, isolation, and shame are able to find their true identity and be themselves without judgment. They thrive on the understanding and acceptance of their fellow campers. They leave Camp fYrefly more confident, vibrant, and resilient, equipped to be leaders and champions of social change in their communities. As of 2004, more than 1,000 youth have attended Camp fYrefly and in 2013 the program provided 155 workshops, reaching more than 4,000 students in schools. In 2018, Hippo Hug held an auction to support Camp Fyrefly. We sent a matching item to the Camp for their campers to use in the Chill Space. This year we'd like to do better. For the month of June use the code FYREFLY to get 5% off your order. In addition to that discount, we will give 10% to Camp FYrefly to continue their programs. *The second photos are of the blanket we made in our shop and the photo they sent us <3 #calgarypride #pride #giveback #yyc #MadeInCalgary #ShopLocal

Our Happy Pride Hippo is waiting anxiously for a f

Our Happy Pride Hippo is waiting anxiously for a few more friends who are waiting to be weighted. Why you ask? It's Pride month and once again, we are happy to support Camp FYrefly Alberta. When you purchase anything from Hippo Hug using the code: FYrefly you will get 5% off your order and we will donate 10% towards their programs and services. Camp FYrefly is a fun, educational, social, and personal leadership retreat for queer and trans youth ages 14 - 24. Campers explore their identity, build resilience, enhance self esteem, and develop leadership skills that will positively impact their lives, homes, schools, and community.

Load More... Follow on Instagram