A very Chinese X-Mas

[StarryNite]

It's beginning to look a lot like a Chinese Christmas. I went to Target today to pick up a couple of toys for a toy drive. I was determined to buy something made in the USA. I couldn't find a damn thing made here! I would have settled for a toy made in any country other than China. But there were none. So I caved in and bought some Chinese toys. I sure hope some little kid doesn't get sick from them.

[fenriswolf]

1. yeah i was thinking

why doesnt someone start up a website or a store called "made in america" I bet you it would make a killing.

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. Such stores are illegal now, thanks to Bill Clinton and the WTO

Under the rules of the World Trade Organization, programs to encourage purchasing domestically made products is illegal inhibition of free trade or some such. There was a big case before the WTO a few years ago on this very issue.

Edit Slight correction: Any government sponsorship of programs designed to promote the purchase and use of domestic products is illegal under WTO regulations, as it amounts to an "illegal subsidy." What got struck down by the WTO was earlier US regulations about what could, and could not, carry a "Made in the USA" label. I do not believe that private enterprises or movements would fall afoul of the WTO; the problem is that most American made products are merely assembled in the US using foreign-made components.

[fenriswolf]

5. that is so much crap!! I didn't know know about it

That is crazy, the fact that you cannot promote products made domestically.

[TechBear_Seattle]

9. It's more like the government can not regulate what carries a "Made in the US" label

See the corrections I added to my post above.

Case in point: Toyota sends Japanese-made parts to one of their US assembly plants. The resulting cars can be sold as "Made in the USA" because they were, in fact, made in the United States. That the only US component was the labor is irrelevant.

Previously, at least 60% of the components used to assemble something in the United States had to be American made to be able to legally use a "Made in the USA" label. That was ruled an "illegal subsity" and protectionism by the WTO, and so this set of laws was overturned.

[Swamp Rat]

4. www.stillmadeinusa.com

Toys:
http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/shoppingindex.html

[feminazi]

12. I'm buying the few gifts I need this year

from this site. They have tons of links.

[StarryNite]

13. Thanks!

Unfortunately I waited too long to be able to order anything for this particular toy drive. I hadn't bought toys in a few years and had no idea that there was nothing available in the dept. stores that wasn't Chinese. In fact, at the meeting where the toy drive was brought up, I made a joke to not buy Chinese toys. Little did I know that China has literally taken over in this market. This shit has got to stop!

[Swamp Rat]

14. Next time

At least you care about needy children. That is what's most important. ;)

Another poster suggested books - a great idea. You might also look for used books too, an even better alternative.

[hlthe2b]

2. Most states/cities have made in."..." shops and boutiques...

that's often a good place to find old fashioned made in the US toys, though obviously not as "sexy" to the kids as the mass produced crap.

[Horse with no Name]

6. It doesn't have to be.

Books are a great alternative.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2282239

[StarryNite]

10. Books are a wonderful idea!

[hedgehog]

11. Take a close look at any picture book you buy.

A lot of them are printed and assembled in Singapore!

[Basileus Basileon]

7. 。

圣诞 老人 进 城 来了!

[brentspeak]

8. Check out www.chinafreechristmas.info

Lots of American toy makers listed on that site.

[insanad]

15. Home Made Toys

http://www.happyfactory.org/about.html

This year I'm making many of the toys for my grandchildren. I'm making a growth chart, some wooden blocks, a doll and doll clothes, and my husband is making a wooden wagon for hauling toys in. I've decided the best way to go green is to make things from existing products or second hand revitalized things. If they need paint I'm painting them with non toxic latex paint and sealing them with a safe sealer to keep any chance of toxic stuff away from my grandbabies.

Some of the best gifts for kids of all ages are books. There's plenty of book manufacturers and producers here in the US, England, and Europe where they comply with the kind of standards we require in the US. Your local thrift stores often have some really cute books for very good prices and it's a way to recycle something that would other wise be thrown out.

Toddlers like simple things like a set of stacking bowls made from butter and whipped cream bowls (there's spray paint that will stick to plastic and brighten them up)or wooden blocks made from well sanded and painted 2x4 chunks. Little boys often like anything that resembles a gun. Theres some cool patterns for marshmallow guns made from pvc pipe and they're cheap to make. Older kids often like sporting equipment. I made a great jumprope from some heavy duty cotton rope from the hardware store and some wooden dowells.

Gift subscriptions to good kids magazines is the gift that lasts all year long and many of them are published right here in the US. They often have games, crafts, and lots of great stories that educate and entertain. Many of the illustrators are US citizens so it's a way to support our own as well. Go online and you'll find hundreds of these that are published right here in the US.

For more ideas e-mail me at insanad @cox.net

[StarryNite]

16. Those are great ideas.

I guess we all need to rethink how we shop for Christmas. At least I know I do.