For the holidays, I would much rather find and give toys made in the U.S., constructed with loving care by local artists and crafters rather than mass-produced, commercial toys. In fact, Etsy.com has become my go-to source for wonderfully made gifts for children -- from beautiful handmade blocks to old-fashioned felt boards to whimsical stuffed animals. They are made by local business owners, much of the time using all-natural or recycled materials, and are often less expensive than what you would find in the stores and of much better quality.
As I've been doing my holiday shopping, finding these cherished handmade items, I've discovered that these small toy operations -- sometimes a one person show -- are at-risk of becoming extinct due to recently passed legislation intended to address the rash of unsafe toys that put our country's kids in harm's way in 2007.
Ever hear of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008? Neither had I, until recently. Seems like something everyone should support, if you care about the health and safety of our nation's kids.
But if you are a lover of handmade toys, this piece of legislation might mean the end of handmade toys as an option for kids in the U.S. for holidays to come.