This makes holiday shopping difficult…
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- October
- 26
With yet another toy recall in the news, I began wondering: What exactly will I be buying for holiday gifts for my nephews, who live in North Carolina?
Sure, I can be the “un-fun” auntie and get them clothes, but they’re 9 and 6! And Old Navy box probably won’t get the joint jumping. But with all the recalls, I don’t know what’s safe and what’s not, particularly when I’m buying online. I suppose I can consult some Web sites to find out which toys manufacturers are likely to use safe paints and parts, but I would bet that severely limit my choices.
My own kids, who are 13 and 9, are stuck on video games, clothes and a board game here and there, so I’m not as concerned. Plus, when I buy for them, I can look at the item, touch it, smell it and feel it, so I feel like I might make a better—and hopefully—safer choice. But when I’m buying online, I’m buying somewhat blindly.
What are you planning to buy for the children in your life? And have the many toy recalls affected your choices?
This entry was posted
on Friday, October 26th, 2007 at 4:52 pm by Gayle T. Williams.
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When I buy gifts for kids, I like to get unusual stuff, rather than the usual “Toys R Us” type of mass-produced stuff.
One of my favorite stores for kids’ gifts is The Discovery Store. There’s one in the Westchester Mall, and I imagine they have a website.
They have a lot of unusual, fun and educational toys.
I just got some fun stuff for my basement rec room frmo another catalogue called Hammacher Schlemmer.
I can’t say whether any of their stuff will be recalled or not, but I think that what I got was made in the US rather than overseas, if that’s a benefit.
Good luck, and I’m sure your nephews consider you a ‘fun’ aunt.
I’ve got two boxes of wooden toys from European toymakers in my basement waiting for Santa. I bought them online at oompa.com. The site is worth checking out, but I don’t know if they have things for older kids. My own personal favorite gifts that I remember from childhood were art materials and crafts. With the long days of winter ahead, it’s a lot of fun to do crafts or arts projects. I learned macrame, rugmaking, etc., thanks to crafts gifts from my relatives. I am sure there are crafts/arts that are appropriate for boys. Just a thought.
I found the attached web site that daily lists kids toys that are lead free. Lead isn’t the only worry… small parts, magnets, sharp edges. These are a few other things to look out for when buying toys.
http://adopttwoboys.blogspot.com/2007/08/lead-free-toys-list.html
Thanks for the link. I am actually doing giveaways all November from companies on the list. Make sure to visit then.
Marcie
I like being able to see and examine a toy in person as well, Gayle. Buying online is trickier now, as you said. So, I stick with gift cards and gift certificates when it’s a present for my out-of-town nephews. And when it gets to older children, like your kids, I lean towards book store certificates or places like David’s own beloved Discovery Store. I think that way the kids can get something fun for themselves, but hopefully also educational.