Xander Friends — Lavender Stuffed Animals
Microwavable. Lavender-scented. Filled with real lavender from our Michigan farm.
Shop Xander FriendsMeet the Xander Friends
Real lavender. Real comfort. Grown on our Michigan farm.
Xander Friends in the Wild
Real families. Real comfort.
What Families Are Saying
Thousands of Xander Friends found their forever homes.
"My daughter has struggled with bedtime anxiety for years. Since we started microwaving her Xander Bunny and doing our lavender routine, she falls asleep 30 minutes faster. This little guy is magic."
"We bought the Xander Dog for our son who has sensory processing disorder. His OT actually recommended warming therapy animals, and this is the best one we've found. The real lavender smell is incredible."
"I bought one for myself (no shame!) and one for my niece. We both love them. The quality is so much better than Warmies — you can tell the lavender is real and the stitching is sturdy. Worth every penny."
"My twins each needed their own Xander — we got the Cat and the Fox. Both are obsessed. We microwave them every single night before bed. Best purchase I've made for their sleep routine."
"Gave the XL Xander Bunny as a birthday gift and the mom texted me that night to say her daughter hasn't put it down. That's the best review I can give."
"I love that buying Xander supports foster kids. My daughter knows her bunny helped another child, and that has become part of our bedtime story. You've created something really special."
Learn More About Xander Friends
What is a Xander Friend?
How do I heat my Xander Friend?
Is it safe for young children?
How long does the lavender scent last?
What makes Xander different from Warmies?
What is the Xander Community 501(c)(3)?
Lavender Stuffed Animals — Real Lavender, Real Comfort
Xander Friends are premium microwavable stuffed animals filled with real farm-grown English lavender harvested right here in Michigan. Unlike synthetic fragrance oils or imported lavender, our whole dried lavender buds deliver authentic, long-lasting aromatherapy with every warm hug. Each Xander Friend is designed to help children (and adults!) relax, unwind, and drift off to sleep with the calming power of nature.
English Lavender vs. French Lavender
Not all lavender is created equal. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is prized for its high concentrations of linalool and linalyl acetate — the two compounds most associated with lavender's calming, sleep-promoting effects. French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and lavandin hybrids contain more camphor, which can be stimulating rather than soothing. By sourcing exclusively from our Michigan farm, we ensure every Xander Friend is filled with the most therapeutically effective lavender available.
Xander Friends vs. Warmies
Warmies are a popular microwavable stuffed animal filled with dried French lavender from Provence and flaxseed. Xander Friends take a different approach — we use whole dried English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) grown right on our Michigan farm, which contains higher concentrations of linalool and linalyl acetate for more effective aromatherapy.
