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I started early this year because we are doing a previously loved/used theme this year. I have some great garage sale stuff already waiting to be packaged up. BUT despite my resolve to buy mostly used or all if I can get away with it…I still like to check out the hot toy guides every year. I like to see the trends and find out what kids like and what parents are buying. I can’t wait to see Haba and Plan Toys go mainstream. Here is a cool toy guide I found that supposedly list the best toys. Going through it I can see that my Christmas goals will be harder on me than the kids. I just love to get them great stuff…I am more the problem than they are I think. 
Under the best toys for boys category I see two really cool toys including the Playskool Kota My Triceratops Dinosaur. This thing is awesome and my boys would LOVE it…I hope they don’t see it cause it isn’t cheap. But how freakin cool is it? It is an animatronic, life-size baby dinosaur that stands over 3 feet tall and comes to “life” with realistic sounds and motion. Kids can even ride on it.
The second hot toy I see is a Wall-E remote control robot. If your kids love Wall-E they would love this. I may just have to save up my Amazon Gift Certificates and get this. I technically wouldn’t be spending money on it…
Under the best toys for girls category I see the Dream Town Rose Petal Cottage which is basically a doll house for little girls to go inside. What girl wouldn’t go nuts over it? Another cool toys is the solid wood dollhouse…for actual dolls not people. It is made by the eco friendly company Melissa and Doug and it looks like a very good quality dollhouse. This would last for a long time and it is a good thing because the price is hefty…but it is infinitely better than cheap plastic.
You see it is ME that goes nuts during the holidays…not the kids. We parents see all these amazing new things that never existed when we were kids and we think MY kids have gotta have em! Well, I guess admitting it is half the battle. There should be a support group cause this is tough. ;) Stepping away from the computer now…
Brooke said,
October 16, 2008 at 12:16 am:
I haven’t thought about x-mas yet, but my daughter’s birthday is on Dec 11. She is in the toddler range. I didn’t like any of the toys on the website for toddlers, one of them she already has. I bought her friend some toys from kangarooboo.com and they were a big hit. I’m think of buying some kitchen/tea set toys for my daughter and building her the cardboard kitchen set that was posted on this blog a while ago. These toys are a little outside her age group, but she started pretending with plastic toys at a friend’s house and it was so cute! I would love to let her imagine run wild.
ClothDiaperGirl said,
October 16, 2008 at 10:46 am:
So, you and your family and friends agreed to get each other used gifts? Wish I could arrange that with my family.
Tiffany said,
October 16, 2008 at 11:41 am:
Yes, we all agreed.
Jackie said,
October 16, 2008 at 2:42 pm:
Thats awesome you were able to get your family & friends to agree to that : )
Cheryl said,
October 17, 2008 at 9:44 am:
It’s great & kind of amazing you got your family to go for a recycled gift Christmas, but how about avoiding the cliched “hot toys” list and talk more about toys that aren’t all plastic and non-eco-friendly? Kind of surprising a fellow green mom is raving about all the mainstream stuff. Even wooden Melissa & Doug is still made in China & not sustainable wood. Green Toys, Tree Blocks, Sprig are all cool toys that are made with great, green materials, appeal to a wide age-range & still don’t break the bank in price. I got them for my eco-kid’s store & will definitely be saving a few for my own kids b-days/Christmas.
I’ve also decided to make many gifts myself. I made a fabric dollhouse with the help of an online tutorial (see my blog for details sewcando.blogspot.com) and plan on making more stuff like that as gifts for all the kiddies in the family. It’s fun and rewarding to say I made them myself and know they’re more special than something bought at the mall.
Linda said,
October 18, 2008 at 10:42 pm:
I like your idea about used gifts for Christmas. It’s so practical, economical, and potentially creative! The environment will love you for it, and so will our generations to come. Hats off to you.
The Hunter's Wife said,
October 21, 2008 at 5:24 pm:
I haven’t started my shopping yet. Every year I plan to shop early and next thing I know it is Christmas.
Thanks for joining my contest.
amom said,
October 22, 2008 at 8:40 pm:
I like the idea of recycled gifts for C-mas! Definitely a great idea! I created a safe toy list on my blog — all toys on the list are lead and phthalate free. Check it out and readers can feel free to let me know other toys that should be on the safe list! There is also mentions of companies to watch out for who sometimes or frequently use phthalates.
Happy shopping!
http://amomsblog.wordpress.com/2008/09/23/lead-and-phthalate-free-toys-for-christmas
Letters By Santa said,
November 20, 2008 at 1:01 am:
Starting early with shopping and creating a safe list. Great idea. I will share your blog with friends and family. Thanks for posting.