Toy brand suggestions?

[babymango]

My family and my ILs have already started bugging us about what to get DS for christmas. The real answer is nothing, but we know it won't fly and we have given up on this, it's not worth the fight.
I don't want to be telling them exactly what to buy, but I would like to point them in a direction that we are comfortable with. For instance, we don't want character/movie toys, I'd like to minimize plastic, I'd like to stay away from toys that involve no skill development or creativity. And there is no way any war theme toy is going to make it into my house. In our family, giving money, even if it's for the parent to buy something for the kid, is not an option.
When I told my MIL this, she said "well, there's nothing left, what do you want him to play with? Cardboard boxes?!" My first reaction was to say yes, hehe. But again, not worth the battle.
Do you have favorite toy brands for a young toddler (DS will be 17 months)? Melissa and Doug, and Haba, have nice options, but there's got to be more?

[tzs]

direct them to oompa.com....there's really nothing annoying in there and they have categories divided by age in case they are confused by the lack of elmo.

[EdnaMarie]

Haba! It's on Amazon, too. They have gorgeous stuff and it's very educational. I can't afford it so be sure to post pics so I can drool in envy.

[JudiAU]

If they want to buy toys, I'd suggesting setting up a wish list. They are going to buy them and you might as well have some input. Otherwise you will probably NOT get the kinds of toys you want and when you look at the plastic factory you will wonder what happened. I have list on amazon under JudiAU if you want some recommendations.

we prefer wood to plastic, if the toy is plastic it must be manufactured in the US or Europe and/or you must be able to verify the kind of plastic used (i.e. no bpa, no phylates, or off-gassing)

I prefer to avoid toys/baby products/food from China. For like a billion reasons, off the top of my head (general environmental, general labor, contamination, faulty raw materials supply, faulty manufacturing, frequent recalls, etc.)

So, I don't like Melissa and Doug because have the toys I bought for my first infant were recalled before the birth of my second child. Note, recalled in Canada but they didn't recall the same toy in the US. Disgusting. Also, their stuff might be made of wood but it is pretty poorly made, always falling apart, and paint chips. But, this brand might be the only options for someone who shops at Toys R Us so and is better than plastic...

I like Haba, Selecta, Grimms Spiel, Plan Toys, and Lego Duplo all of which have great standards, manufactured to high standards, and have good reputation. All the toys last well, can be used with multiple kids, and hold their value for resale.

One etsy love: http://www.etsy.com/transaction/32043293 this little rocking horse is brilliant for younger babies. My 14m loves it.

Other etsy goodies would include Waldorf style felted balls and babies, etc.

Oompa has nice catagorization but their prices are not good. I also like Nova Naturals, Maukilo, and A Toy Garden. Might give you some ideas.

[kielni]

What about a magazine subscription? We got Babybug and Wild Animal Baby, and my son really likes them both. They're both printed on heavier paper and have no ads. You can see a sample issue of Wild Animal Baby here: http://www.nwf.org/Kids/Wild-Animal-...Educators.aspx

[JudiAU]

We like Wild Animal Babies too.

[Snapdragon]

Haba all the way!!! And I agree about the suggestion to get it from Oompa.com- they have lots of Haba. They are cloth or wooden- and all so creative and fun and pretty- I love everything of Haba's that we have gotten - oh, you already looked at the Haba? In that case I second my recommendation for Oompa. com for more HAba and other things.

[EdnaMarie]

Oh, yes, and Plan Toys. Plaaannnnn ttttoooooyyyyys. Sigh.

[mamadelbosque]

Haba & Plan & Selecta Oompa is a great store/site too. I'd be perfectly happy/thrilled with nearly anything from them. They have such cool stuff!! And its where probably 80% of DS1's toys came from till he was nearly 3.

[physmom]

I love Haba toys too!

I know you don't like plastic but if you were thinking of getting him a doll eventually we're a big fan of Goetz dolls. They're made in Europe and from high quality materials. We bought a brunette Maxy Muffin on sale for DD's 2nd birthday.

Also, we always asks for books. Doesn't mean we always get them but that's our first response when people ask. CDs and books on CD can always be fun.

[dakotablue]

Love Plan toys!

Oh and SO SO SO jealous they asked!!

Do you have cooking stuff? you could do maybe felt foods and wooden kitchen. That is the theme I am hoping for next years Christmas or maybe b-day if anyone will listen. (My ILs are generous just with items we end up returning)