We love I Heart Guts. Their stuffed anatomical body parts, lapel pins and key chains transform the often gruesome world of internal organs into funny, cute and occasionally rude gifts. Cuddle up to a cervix or attach one to your person, if that's how you roll. You might be sceptical at first, but once you get to know them, these loveable characters will have a place in your heart and your gift basket.

My, what big guts you have...

At Outer Layer, we love helping you get the reaction you’re looking for. Recently, a client of ours asked us to send off a gift-wrapped Gallbladder Plush to a friend of theirs who’d just had theirs removed. It was sent with a delivery note enclosed that went something along the lines of “We apologize that you have received a defective gallbladder, here’s a replacement..”  Here’s the subsequent reaction to the gift :) Needless to say, it hit the spot. 😂

A short history of I Heart Guts’ organs...

I Heart Guts’ collection of organs are the creation of an anatomically obsessed illustrator, Wendy Bryan Lazar. It all started with a broken heart, or so the story goes. Wendy had gone through a string of bad hookups and dead-end relationships and being an illustrator, put pen to paper to express her thoughts. If you’re anything like us, when you picture a heart this is what you think of ❤️, not Wendy though. Her drawing was of an anatomically correct broken heart. What followed was a string of other drawings until one day Wendy’s husband asked the question that started it all “What are you going to do with all of your guts?”.

Outer Layer’s love for guts

Part of what we do here at Outer Layer is comb the world for great gift ideas. We knew as soon as we spotted I Heart Guts in the new exhibitor’s section of the New York Gift show back in 2012 that we had to have this line in our store. Imagine coming upon a booth of cheery colourful organs, a smiling Wendy in a lab coat and giant glasses (which had no lenses in them) – we could see there was something special happening. And we’ve never looked back. I Heart Guts have always been one of the most popular lines in the store.

Stuffed body organs - they’re cute, honest.

Buying cuddly, stuffed body organs isn’t something most people do on a regular basis, but that’s what makes these awesome, unique gifts. Think of your friend’s face when you give him a Muscle Plush after he’s failed to hit the gym for the 3rd year in the row. What about a Brain Plush for your daughter’s graduation? Surely you’re allowed to embarrass her one last time? These gifts have lasting value that are perfect to make light of situations, or simply because you find them hilarious.

Here’s some of our favourite Plush Organs:

Get well soon, Canada

Any visit to the doctors can leave you with an uneasy feeling, but with the support of others, you can often find the extra strength you need.

I Heart Guts offer a range of gifts that are perfect for these types of situations, and it is the stories that surround these gifts that make them so special. Can you imagine going for an operation to remove your kidney only to be given one back when you get home? If this sounds like your type of humour, you should check out the I Heart Guts collection for inspiration and pass a laugh onto someone who may need it.

Here’s some of our favourite get well soon organs you could gift:

Body organ lapel pins - show some spine

I Heart Guts have smaller gifts too, in a sense. If you’d prefer to see your friend roaming the streets with an organ pinned to their body over a large plush ovary living at home, look no further. From goofy teeth to cheeky knee joints, you’ll find something that comes packed with humour and will leave a lasting impression.

Our favourite I Heart Guts Lapel Pins:

I Heart Guts Key Chains - keep hold of your prostate

The uses for these products are endless. Do you know someone who is constantly misplacing or leaving their keys in random locations? It might be time to give them something to hold on to. These outrageous key chains will encourage them to keep their keys close by over fear of exposing their prostate to onlookers.

Our favourite key chains:

Engage with humour, teach with the pancreas.

Starting conversations about sensitive subjects can be difficult for anyone, and finding a comfortable way to engage people can be even harder. Behind the humour, I Heart Guts are being utilised for positive causes that really do make a difference to people's lives. Their range of products act as approachable props and are really useful at reaching a wider audience base. 

Humour always helps

Humour is a powerful tool that can help us come to terms with situations, build relationships and make the people around us happy. I Heart Guts has been giving the gift of laughter since 2005 and has helped many people in a very simple way.

Their testimonials show why their company is so different and how people are using them to help deal with real-life situations.

Check out the I Heart Guts range