Toys For Christmas 2011 – Buying Guide
Buying Toys For Christmas
Holiday season has arrived! It is the time of the year again when family members gather to celebrate this joyous occasion, buy and exchange gifts, in particular, Toys for Christmas. Once more you will be cracking your head to find the right gift for your loved ones. Perhaps the gift is for a baby, a toddler or a preschooler. Then you may want to make sure that the toys are safe to play with and kids proof.
The way to shop for a toy is not exactly like enter a book store, getting in line to view the bestseller list and purchase the product – it is an art. A rule of thumb when buying toys for Christmas is to match the toys to the child’s age and skill level. Not every hot or top 10 sold out toy is suitable. Imagine that a 3 year old gets very frustrated when he cannot figure out what to make out of a toy meant for a ten year old kid. His intellectual level is simply not up to par. In addition, the toy may be harmful to him, especially if it contains miniature parts or poisonous substance. Naturally, back at home and left on its own room and see no adults around, children tend to put objects in their mouth disregard the hygiene factor. In the worse case, they choke on the small thing if they do swallow it. Hence, pay careful attention to such details.
In another instance, children love stuffed toys as they are soft, cute and cuddly. Before you give the kid the new stuffed toy, double check on the manufacture quality and ensure the construction is robust and durable. More importantly, use caution and do take note of the joints, eyes, ears, nose, tongue, mouth, clothes, buttons, arms and legs. These parts must be sewn on tightly and not detached with ease, or at least, withstand the torture of the child. Every day, the boys or girl is learning how to remove and reattach the toy as if it is a game, be it a table, a doll, figures, blocks or accessories.
Refrain from getting toys for Christmas with sharp edges. Some examples include toys with play knives, car with weapons, trucks with protrusions, planes with fins or the tail of a dinosaur from “ice age”. If the child accidentally fell on it, he will be cut or bruised by the impact. In the worst case, his eyes may be blinded or injured in other areas of the body. The unfortunate act is not worth it.
In general, toys with electronics or electrical components should be purchased for older children above 8. Reasons being that these toys run on electricity to produce movement, sound and sight. The kit looks and sounds fun. Any short circuiting onto the chassis of the toy can create shock or even pain if it has a heating element. Damaged goods with exposed wires is definitely unsafe and posed a hazard for any unsupervised child.
Avoid toys that look like the real thing. In particular, toys that imitate food stuff. Children assumes they are edible and devour them before you can say “no”. Read the labels before purchase. Watch for descriptions on age group, materials used, safety instructions and maturity ratings. Some are forbidden or even banned under the law of the state.
One thing special about toys for Christmas is that their packaging is very attractive. But this poses a threat. Dispose of unwanted packaging materials after unwrapping. Special mention to plastic wrappings that traps air since they are the cause of suffocation in toddlers. Throw away plastic fasteners, eco cartons boxes, plastic casing, packing foams, strings or any packaging material that may pose a safety hazard to the little ones.
Before making your toy purchase and even periodically afterwards, it is a good idea to check the recall list from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to make sure the toy has not been recalled because it potentially poses a serious hazard to your child. Their website is http://www.cpsc.gov or you can call them at (800) 638-2772.
A note to end with – it is great to care and spare a thought for your beloved little love on your next shopping trip. Set a goal to buy toys for Christmas that make your kid happy and safe every year.
