Toy Safety and Christmas Shopping

barbszy · #1 (**permalink**) 11-14-2007, 04:15 AM

With all the toy recalls that are happening this year, how has this changed your Christmas shopping? What clever alternatives have you come up with for gifts this year?

cau · #2 (**permalink**) 11-14-2007, 11:36 AM

My dgd is the only child in our family so we have worked hard not to spoil her too much. My middle dd has been giving her memories. One year it was lunch at the American Girl Store, another time they dressed up and went to dinner and a play. For her birthday they are going to the circus and to the Shedd Aquarium for Christmas. It has worked out really well and dgd really loves the experiences.She will carry the memories all her life.

Irish Angel · #3 (**permalink**) 11-14-2007, 11:41 AM

I am scared to death to be honest with you!
I plan on getting my grandson a gold rosary, and clothes. He's little so he won't mind alot.

For the lil ones I will be getting bibles and such!

The recalls make me nervous!

Mish · #4 (**permalink**) 11-14-2007, 02:12 PM

For the little ones those are good ideas.We will be ok here as the older 2 want more electronical junk.My youngest will get a few toys.Giving some clothes is always a good thing and mom and dad always give socks and underwear too.

Mish

cau · #5 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007, 11:50 AM

I just had another thought, 1 year I bought 3 large pails and filled them with stuff from the Dollar Store & other places that that interested that child. The one that always played school & work got pens & pencils, tablets of different sizesetc. the oldest recieved a lot of stuff for her face & hair. They loved the pails and it became tradition. We finally transfered it to their stockings. Everyone buys a small $5.00 or under gift for everyone else. As prices rise we have to work harder at it. I look all year at the 2nd hand & used book stores.

**Sammi1961** · #6 (**permalink**) 11-17-2007, 05:07 AM

Luckily my dks are outgrowing toys but for my neice and nephew I am having a hard time trying to figure out what to get them. Seems every single toy I look at is made in China. Even if a particular toy has not been recalled, how can I be sure it doesn't have lead in it or won't be recalled in the near future? I am really going to have to be creative in gift giving this year. For their birthdays I got them really cool art kits with lots of paper. I may do books for Christmas. I am still waiting for "wish lists" from my dks to figure out what to get them.

**AnnaInOhio** · #7 (**permalink**) 11-17-2007, 01:05 PM

I have a 4 year old niece and 7 year old nephew and possibly a 8 year old nephew if he comes to town for the holidays. The two who live here we are getting a family membership to The Columbus Zoo, it's actually a very good and frugal price at $69.00 unlimited visits all year and something they can all use together. I also made a throw blanket for each of them and bought each a jumbo sized coloring book.

They also had some movie requests which I'm letting their Mom take care of this year but it's a good choice versus toys. I already told my sister no way no how am I buying toys.

Anna

Irish Angel · #8 (**permalink**) 11-17-2007, 08:19 PM

Anna I think that the zoo membership is a fabulous idea!
It also encourages kids to "get outside"

Today I told my hubby that I think..
pajamas, a movie, his precious moments collector (age train) and books are good!

As I said, the bibles for the other kids...

Again we are making "lemonade from lemons" as a people.. our creative juices are a flowin' and maybe with less toys the kids will get out and be more creative too!

Hugs

barbszy · #9 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007, 03:11 AM

There was an article in my paper yesterday. Maybe it was also in yours. "Poor toy industry. These recalls are happening at the worst time."

I don't feel sorry for them. And I'd be even more outraged if this happened AFTER Christmas

when children are loaded up with new toys and maybe have done damage to themselves by playing with these tainted items.

Worst time for the industry, maybe. But BEST time for parents, in my opinion.

**Sammi1961** · #10 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007, 06:21 AM

I agree with you Barbszy. If the toy company hadn't outsourced toy production to China because of cheaper labor, they wouldn't have this problem so they get no sympathy from me either. I do feel sorry for the children though, who are probably counting on toys they can not have now.

I think I will get my neice and nephew videos and books. I am also giving my neice & nephew our Leap Pad and all the accessories we have that my ds2 has outgrown. it is in perfect condition and my sil and brother said they would be thrilled to have it.