tell people to avoid MIC (nicely)

[sweetirishCT]

x-posted in toddler forum

hey all!!! I thought I would share the email that I just sent to anyone on my mailing list that I thought would be buying for a child. Maybe you can use it to enlighten someone who is buying for your LO.
Feel free to copy and paste!!

OK, I am sending this out to anyone on my mailing list who may be buying gifts for children this year. In light of the MANY recalls of toys made in China (MIC) due to lead paint, I have found some great places to buy safer toys. Many of these places cater to tree-huggers, but I figure, hey- consider the source
So, here goes. Also keep in mind that these toys tend to be made in the US, Germany, Denmark or other European countries. Safety standards tend to be very high there, as they are in the US. Most of the time they are safer. Most of the time. I realize that there are some products that may be 'made' in one place but 'assembled' in others, but at least you are more likely to get safer toys this way. Also, you are going to pay a little more for these toys. That is what happens when you are paying for quality. Most of the toys found on these links will last multiple kids. And many are natural wood, no paint at all, some are not even varnished. Just sanded totally smooth.
I hope you enjoy browsing the links, I enjoyed getting them together. If a link doesn't work, please let me know. Also, my disclaimer: I have not bought from these stores specifically, but found the links on my mothering.com message boards. So I don't know where they are shipping from, if shipping is expensive, etc.
Have fun!!

www.rosiehippo.com
www.kidbean.com
www.coolmompicks.com/safertoy07/
www.imagiplay.com/
www.magiccabin.com
www.oompa.com
www.threesisterstoys.com/
www.youpayless.com
www.ourgreenhouse.com

[redhen]

i love oompa, their customer service is OUT OF THIS WORLD.

there's also novanatural.com & moolka.com

[sweetirishCT]

Originally Posted by redhen

i love oompa, their customer service is OUT OF THIS WORLD.

there's also novanatural.com & moolka.com

didn't know about those. I got all the links I had from a thread about coupon codes...

[swd12422]

What about furniture?

Thanks for posting the list of sites! We're getting ready for our first, and just today my family was commenting about how hard it's going to be to buy (spoil) the baby lots of toys b/c everything is made in China. So I'll pass the links along!

But we're starting to get the room ready, and I can't find ANY furniture that's made locally, let alone in the US. We really only need a crib for now, but I'd like it to be made from US harvested and clean-finished wood, and of course assembled here as well.

Any suggestions?

[sweetirishCT]

Originally Posted by swd12422

Thanks for posting the list of sites! We're getting ready for our first, and just today my family was commenting about how hard it's going to be to buy (spoil) the baby lots of toys b/c everything is made in China. So I'll pass the links along!

But we're starting to get the room ready, and I can't find ANY furniture that's made locally, let alone in the US. We really only need a crib for now, but I'd like it to be made from US harvested and clean-finished wood, and of course assembled here as well.

Any suggestions?

Some of these sites actually offer furniture... What area of the country are you in?? Maybe there is a local who makes furniture? We have quite a few in our area, that is in New England.

[swd12422]

I'm in southern AZ. I'd love to find a local person, but everything "local" here is imported from Mexico. The one piece we had custom made by someone in town didn't turn out quite how we thought, and with safety being an issue I'm not sure I want to trust someone who doesn't do cribs as a regular thing.

I'll definitely check out the links; I was saving them but didn't want to look for fear of ending up with a truckload of toys and no crib!

[almadianna]

great links thank you!

[sweetirishCT]

Originally Posted by swd12422

I'm in southern AZ. I'd love to find a local person, but everything "local" here is imported from Mexico. The one piece we had custom made by someone in town didn't turn out quite how we thought, and with safety being an issue I'm not sure I want to trust someone who doesn't do cribs as a regular thing.

I'll definitely check out the links; I was saving them but didn't want to look for fear of ending up with a truckload of toys and no crib!

You are going to pay for it, but try searching online for Amish furniture. The products are made are of the best quality!! The communities support themselves entirely by their trade (be it farming, woodworking, etc.). I am not sure about the finishes used, but you may be able to find unfinished furniture...

[GinaNY]

I have been pretty stubborn on many issues with my family in the past few years, made a whole lot of waves. They have learned that I am pretty picky. They used to make fun of me, but of course recently they have been a whole lot more open minded. Anyway I am trying to approach the holidays a bit differently. I have hinted to not go "crazy" with buying tons of toys for Christmas claiming how I don't want a house full of clutter. I am not a neat freak by far so they think they are helping me

That said, I have come to be sensitive to the feelings of others and have decided to simply accept all gifts graciously. I do have a list of sites "I love!" on our baby wesite, but that's it.

Also, I want to keep Christmas simple. I want to maintain that the holidays are about family, NOT about piles and piles of gifts. Makes those few gifts stand out.

My mom has decided to only give bonds so that grandkids don't get jealous and avoid toys b/c she may not be up to date and does not want to "risk it". Not very fun, but saves a lot of frustration and anxiety.

[lindberg99]

I was looking at those links and found some cool plank blocks at Rosie Hippo and guess where they are made... China. So you still have to watch even at those sites.

[sweetirishCT]

Originally Posted by lindberg99

I was looking at those links and found some cool plank blocks at Rosie Hippo and guess where they are made... China. So you still have to watch even at those sites.

Yeah, I have been hearing. At least it is someplace to go that there are LESS toys MIC. You are more likely to find something safe and lead free at any of these links than you are at the local Walmart or Target!

[gracefulhome]

The list of sites is great. Thanks.

I thought about sending a note to family that we do not want products made in China, but my SIL is from China and I am not sure if she would be offended. I did send out a specific wish list and did not include anything MIC, so hopefully that will help.

[sweetirishCT]

Originally Posted by gracefulhome

The list of sites is great. Thanks.

I thought about sending a note to family that we do not want products made in China, but my SIL is from China and I am not sure if she would be offended. I did send out a specific wish list and did not include anything MIC, so hopefully that will help.

Yeah, you would have to tiptoe that one a little.... But maybe just request unfinished wooden toys?