tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post5181367752548785569..comments2024-03-26T00:14:00.509-07:00Comments on Crunchy Chicken: Skipping green gifts for the kidsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-7779669740693408622009-12-03T12:43:27.506-08:002009-12-03T12:43:27.506-08:00We limit to 3 gifts each and have tried to encoura...We limit to 3 gifts each and have tried to encourage the grandparents to shop "experientially." One is getting my daughter a gymnastics class at the parks & rec and my sister in law is getting her a leotard. (There's being green, and there's watching my poor child trying to squeeze into last summer's swimsuit to "do gymnastics!")Robbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03915194141694632310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-80375127002085421972009-12-01T19:25:14.094-08:002009-12-01T19:25:14.094-08:00I stick to legos. yea they are plastic but don...I stick to legos. yea they are plastic but don't require batteries just imagination....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-80585284803675970912009-12-01T08:58:43.633-08:002009-12-01T08:58:43.633-08:00We peruse craigslist for our kids favorite toys fo...We peruse craigslist for our kids favorite toys for Christmas. Legos, Thomas the Train, and even a DS were scored this year. We also stick to the 3 gifts per child. Thankfully my father in law sends money for us to buy his presents. I can buy used and thoughtfully this way, otherwise it would be right off the WalMart shelf from him!Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00968565952676463618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-67699143130141185762009-12-01T08:30:28.303-08:002009-12-01T08:30:28.303-08:00Aimee, do you find that your kids are less influen...Aimee, do you find that your kids are less influenced for "the hottest toys" due to the lack of advertising exposure (no tv)?<br /><br />Debra ... very cool! getting them activities!cynthianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-60298652642005442442009-11-30T21:36:10.345-08:002009-11-30T21:36:10.345-08:00Oh man, are we ever in the same boat! And I though...Oh man, are we ever in the same boat! And I thought I was the only "green mom" whose babes hated the eco toys! And they are so expensive....But as for Legos, well, I just went on a rant about them on my blog. I've fallen out of love...$300 per item? C'mon.Lynn from OrganicMania.comhttp://www.organicmania.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-62170769838905390472009-11-30T19:24:12.934-08:002009-11-30T19:24:12.934-08:00i don't have any kids but i buy gifts for my t...i don't have any kids but i buy gifts for my two nephews and know what u mean there. while they're younger it's alright as there's lots of green gifts for babies and toddlers. i find Trade Aid which stocks fair trade and usually sustainable, organic and sometimes recycled toys but for young children. now that hte nephews are getting older they're a bit more particular about Marinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17059288964529225707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-86291784618838144802009-11-30T18:46:58.947-08:002009-11-30T18:46:58.947-08:00I try to get nieces and nephews something that THE...I try to get nieces and nephews something that THEY will like even if it isn't a green gift. I have some tweens on my list, and it's hard to find a green toy that's age appropriate and that they'd like. So yes, I have purchased them video games or a card to play an online MMORPG (with their out of town uncles and dad.) I prefer to do experience family gifts like tickets or Lisa Nelsen-Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13731962631056727458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-86843846611305969632009-11-30T15:08:17.593-08:002009-11-30T15:08:17.593-08:00I kind of took a different position. I would get ...I kind of took a different position. I would get my kids the video games they wanted, and the other crap as well, as long as I could find it at either a pawn shop or the thrift store. They still have their Nintendo and their Sega, and they still work these 15 years later. I hope the Wii they each got last year lasts as long as the thrifted gifts have! I didn't buy the Wii's, their S.O&susancoyotesfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10192865435471067456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-50637684606070531872009-11-30T10:21:05.962-08:002009-11-30T10:21:05.962-08:00I love this! We do try to limit things all the tim...I love this! We do try to limit things all the time, emphasizing quality, and especially limiting to things my daughter really wants and will use. Some plastic items are enduring, if still plastic -- my daughter has a huge collection of Papo and Schleich figures that she plays with constantly (and has for at least 4 years) -- we will hand those down to grandchildren, I'm sure, and they are Cheap Like Mehttp://www.cheaplikemeblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-20060077277294230822009-11-30T07:06:59.460-08:002009-11-30T07:06:59.460-08:00I have given my kids several used presents that ha...I have given my kids several used presents that have gone over well. At least the plastic wasn't new. <br /><br />I have attempted to give some eco-friendly gifts and they really don't go over that well with the younger set. Mostly, I give what they are interested in but usually draw the line at anything with characters. That is just too much commercialism for me. That said - their Billiehttp://billieryder.spaces.live.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-38196484107450325962009-11-30T02:55:40.703-08:002009-11-30T02:55:40.703-08:00I don't have kids but do have to buy gifts for...I don't have kids but do have to buy gifts for nephews in law this christmas. And those kids are kinda crap-lovers... Last time the 3yo girl asked for dress-up costumes, I handmade her a fairy skirt and fairy rings but she only played with the Disney dresses another aunt gave her. I don't want to buy madeinchinaplastic toys, I buy fantastic gifts (in MY opinion), but she probably won'Lilnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-86965472470776379842009-11-29T20:56:37.790-08:002009-11-29T20:56:37.790-08:00My 8yrd old DD is getting a small Ipod this year -...My 8yrd old DD is getting a small Ipod this year - much wanted, and as she will shortly be living in a household with two under one, a valuable tuneout tool when things get a bit noisy ;)<br /><br />We buy/request clothing, craft stuff, books and music for the kids from family, and they are generally happy to go along with this.<br /><br />We're also making gifts here at home, crafting and Naomihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08736311664644091120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-77004557458863152452009-11-29T19:40:44.590-08:002009-11-29T19:40:44.590-08:00My kids are teenagers and want video games, DVDs, ...My kids are teenagers and want video games, DVDs, etc. My tip for all of the parents with gamer/movie-centric children is: Buy used and trade in the games they are done playing with or don't like. The big chain video game retailers like Gamestop (I have NO affiliation with them--btw) have taken trade-ins for years AND sell used games and gaming systems as much if not more than the new onesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-72214943026788210342009-11-29T19:25:29.423-08:002009-11-29T19:25:29.423-08:00Our kids are rather young so it's a bit easier...Our kids are rather young so it's a bit easier to avoid the mainstream toy aisles. My little ones do love thrift shops and garage sales and know that they'll be able to get loads of loot there without a fuss. My son thinks Goodwill is the greatest store on earth and is currently obsessed with (used) Beanie Babies. I'm going to ride that wave as long as I possibly can!Greenbabyhttp://greenbabyguide.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-42706032412701321962009-11-29T17:01:58.087-08:002009-11-29T17:01:58.087-08:00I don't have a lot of kids to buy for, but I t...I don't have a lot of kids to buy for, but I try to buy books that I know they'll like. For example, for a couple of my younger cousins that live on a dairy/horse barn, I bought them a copy of "Farmer Boy" a few years ago. The like the book and their parents liked it, too.<br /><br />When I was a kid, wooden blocks were the BEST toys. We did so much with them and played with Farmer's Daughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04993260095409544097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-79248704521858351192009-11-29T15:35:29.040-08:002009-11-29T15:35:29.040-08:00I don't have any kids to shop for but I can re...I don't have any kids to shop for but I can remember when I was little. My Mum didn't like to buy me the clunky plastic toys and she wouldn't buy me anything that needed batteries. She said she once saw me just sitting and staring at a toy that's batteries just died and she realized that I didn't know what to do with it. The toy had been playing for me. She was a big fan of koolchickenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14929421760488763997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-70258603352722995952009-11-29T14:05:31.053-08:002009-11-29T14:05:31.053-08:00i don't buy the kids "things" there...i don't buy the kids "things" there's too much crap lying around my house as it is. i don't need/want one more pile of bits and pieces to add to it. instead they get activities. last year it was lessons; ballet for the girlchild (6), drums for the middle kid (11) and golf for the oldest (15). other times it's been movie passes, concert, sports or theater tickets, etc.debranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-209128189916594482009-11-29T13:59:37.884-08:002009-11-29T13:59:37.884-08:00My boys are 10 and 13 so heavily into video games ...My boys are 10 and 13 so heavily into video games and iPods and such. They will mostly be getting things off their wish list, but I do hunt for and sometimes find things second hand (The 13 yo is getting a yard sale shirt that he will love.) I used to do really well with that when they were younger. The wooden blocks we have may not be the greenest, but they were played with for years (and owlfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16864203297228110988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-82967737923577908842009-11-29T13:54:15.040-08:002009-11-29T13:54:15.040-08:00We try to buy or make toys that are good quality a...We try to buy or make toys that are good quality and go with what they already have & can be used by both kids (and will be donated when we are finished with them)... some more clothes for the op-shop dolls, something for our Fisher Price Little People collection, or some more Megabloks... and we often make suggestions to the grandparents (when they ask) along these lines too.<br /><br />The dixiebellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03891290324250395382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-80948422920525267942009-11-29T13:34:31.773-08:002009-11-29T13:34:31.773-08:00Our families buy our kids boatloads upon boatloads...Our families buy our kids boatloads upon boatloads of cheap plastic toys. So, honestly, I avoid them. I don't necessarily buy all natural toys, but I do take things like packaging and so on into account. We can usually compromise - I bought some fun dress-up hats from IKEA for instance. Not super green, but not completely horrifying to me, either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-60185306329866072512009-11-29T11:36:46.446-08:002009-11-29T11:36:46.446-08:00Its decision to live a more sustainable lifestyle,...Its decision to live a more sustainable lifestyle, and its their choice when they are older. I don't want them to look back at their childhood and feel like they missed something, and as a result of missing something have a negative attitude about sustainability.<br />That being said, I do tell my girls that I don't like to buy things made in China (and I often go without because I can&#Tree Huggin Mommahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08473115182978929738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-5133984234923327532009-11-29T11:09:31.312-08:002009-11-29T11:09:31.312-08:00Thanks for addressing this. I really appreciated ...Thanks for addressing this. I really appreciated your point about not forcing your convictions on them - particularly when it comes to gift giving. My two are young enough that I can guide them to choose things that are more naturally geared (Magic Cabin, etc), but I know the days of gaming systems and iPods, etc. are just around the corner. It's helpful to have the perspective that you Megan@SortaCrunchyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17202909752129884370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-2164322840772544122009-11-29T11:06:19.081-08:002009-11-29T11:06:19.081-08:00my daughter is getting an entire set of knitting n...my daughter is getting an entire set of knitting needles in a fancy case which I bought from a neighbor. I try to give them things that I would have to get anyway - like clothes - or books. And christmas is a time for treats, so we make cookies and candy, etc. Toys tend to stay small. I absolutely refuse to buy any more hunks of plastic, but it's not really an environmental stand, I just can&Aimeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06358194304460170717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-16199274685966228082009-11-29T10:58:09.665-08:002009-11-29T10:58:09.665-08:00I was trying my best to stick with just homemade t...I was trying my best to stick with just homemade this year, but there are several things I am just not able to make. We have decided that since we too make up for it throughout the year (we haven't bought anything new in almost a year), that we would splurge and buy a few presents for the little one for Christmas. <br /><br />My daughter is not even 2 so she can't really complain about Mama Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10226538905764360974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-70651600016558028422009-11-29T10:51:22.894-08:002009-11-29T10:51:22.894-08:00We have a toddler who is into trucks, trucks and t...We have a toddler who is into trucks, trucks and trucks. We've been fortunate that Sprig and Green Toys have been making things up his alley, so he has a backhoe & dump truck and will be getting a recycling truck for Christmas. He loves trash day (wakes up early), so that is a rather appropriate gift for him. In general, I try to buy used and suggest the "eco-friendly" gifts to AmazinAlisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00145567881766163189noreply@blogger.com