What could make for a better Valentine’s Day gift than a cute and cuddly Big Sky teddy bear adorned in a “Be My Honey” shirt? Especially since it costs must $14.99?

    That’s a tough act to follow, but Big on Bears, the quaint Village store that has bruins by the bushels, takes up the challenge nicely. Cupid take aim at the original “I (Heart) Big Bear” stickers starting at $1.99 and $7.99 T-shirts where a bear paw replaces the heart and there’s cozy “Bear hug” 100% cotton sleep shirts from Lazy One from just $22.99...socks to match too with bear and moose designs.

    Or, warm the heart with Sherpa fleece lined zip hood jackets with Big Bear Lake designs, a great price at $49.99. Bearpaw boots keep the tootsies toasty in all the snow because they utilize sheepskin, nature’s own technical fabric, which naturally regulates the body’s temperature so feet stay cooler and drier in the heat and warmer in the cold.

    Basic Bearpaw boots are just $69—$79 for taller versions with extra fur—but laced-up boots for $89 are more popular, Big on Bears owner Randy Sackett said. “We saw Bearpaw boots in Lake Tahoe and thought they’d be perfect for our store,” he said. “Customers say they’re so comfortable.”

    Warm the tummy with Big Bear paw coffee cups, just $9.99 at Big on Bears. Super stylish are large thermal mugs featuring black bear pictures and descriptions, only $8.99.

    American Expedition encourages folks to get outside for bikes, hikes or play in the snow with 15 oz. stoneware coffee mugs featuring bald eagle and moose designs for $11.99. There’s also stainless steel travel mugs, wildlife wall clocks priced at just $29.99, even thousand-piece “Explore and Discover” puzzles with nature scenes.

    For a lodge look that fits any mountain home, check out unique wall art at Big on Bears from a company in Michigan. Each is handmade and handpainted, layered to create a 3D look and feel. Bears peek out of their den, around a tree or past a stump in unique designs that have pop to them. Some feature wood frame borders.

    “Each piece is different,” Sackett said. “Even similar designs are stained a little lighter or darker and the wood frames change too. You can order the same item but it’s always different. The pieces are glued like a puzzle to create the 3D look.”

    Of course, Big on Bear is, well, big on bears, so there’s thousands of bruins to choose from. Prominent are pieces from renowned Big Sky Carvers in Montana, which specializes in adorable character bears fishing, skiing, skating, many other activities. There’s hundreds to select from, making Big on Bears nirvana for Big Sky collectors.

    “We have a lot of the discontinued and hard-to-find pieces,” Sackett says. Also popular are bear fan pulls with bruins dangling at the end.

    If character bears aren’t your thing, there’s a wide selection of naturals, with Yogi featured in forest settings and colors. Plus Herrington teddy bears dressed in Big Bear Lake sweatshirts for just $19.99.

    Big on Bears is at 40754 Village Dr. in the Village. (909) 366-0013.