This not news but it is a sad commentary. Started Xmas shopping this AM.

[Paper Roses]

Went to several stores for goodies for the grandchildren. Adults are pretty to please but the kids hope to get a few of the things they ask for. Well, everything I looked for was over packaged, made in China trash. I could not get myself to buy any of it.

Maybe I was just not in the mood. I had hoped to find a few things right away so I would miss the crowds. Every store looks like every other. Except Macy's. There is so much stock and so many decorations, I was claustrophobic and had to leave.

Tomorrow is another day.I'll hit another mall. I can buy on line but I like to see what I am buying, not guess.

Bah Humbug. Maybe I'm too old and the fun is gone.

Adults have drawn names from a hat this year and we have all cut back for the kids. Santa is still a big event for them.

[dembotoz]

1. xmas stopped being fun years ago

Now i just duck.

[grasswire]

2. I made a similar comment last week.

The stores are filled with mounds of junk. Nothing is well made or in good taste. I think the Chinese must think we are crazy. Who would want this stuff?

PR, have you considered going to a bazaar where handmade goods are for sale? Like a charity bazaar or an artisans craft fair?

Or a good bookstore? I think I could do all my shopping at a bookstore, happily.

[Neecy]

4. A bookstore is a great idea

[MercutioATC]

3. Shop online.

You can do it in your jammies :)

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

5. I am going to be making most of the gifts for my friends this year. I've

already ordered a bunch of yarn and some nifty free patterns selected. I will probably bake as well.

[LuvNewcastle]

6. I just got back from a trip to the mountains

in Tennessee and North Carolina. We did some shopping in the old downtown areas in a couple of towns and found a good many things that were on our Christmas lists. There were a number of thrift shops and consignment stores as well as the more conventional small businesses. It felt good to patronize local shops and there were some bargains to be had. We stopped at a mall in Atlanta on the way back and didn't really find anything of interest. I realize you'll probably have to shop at malls for the kids, but don't forget about your locally owned stores.

[Tailormyst]

7. Try online shopping

And I find x-mas shopping at bookstores to still be enjoyable!

[mahina]

8. Check out your local crafts shop! We have lots of things here that are really made in Hawaii

I'm sure wherever you live there are handcrafters that do beautiful and affordable work. Some of the crafters toys are the sweetest, most fun, and cheap.

They have more valuable things too of course but usually try to have things in all budgets.

In the DC area there's Appalachian Springs.http://www.appalachianspring.com/ In Portland, Oregon there's the Real Mother Goose. http://www.therealmothergoose.com/

Here in Hawaii there's Nohea Gallery, http://noheagallery.com/

Only a little of the things available are online, usually the higher end things. But the shops themselves will have lots of affordable goodies inside. Hope there's a Made in the USA shop near you.

Agreed 100% on the plastic crap from China boycott. Aloha~!

[csziggy]

9. Get the kids books - most children today have far too many toys and crap

Find books that are interesting and engaging. That will encourage them to read.

When our nieces and nephews were young, we'd spend a few hours in the children's section of a bookstore and pick out books for each. Our criteria was the books should be interesting to us, a little above the child's current age and ability, and hopefully had something to do with subjects the kids liked, though the last two were hard for some of the kids we seldom got to visit. It was a lot of fun for us as childless adults to spend time seeing what was being written for children. The kids and their parents were always happy with our selections.

We also had fun, giving books on evolution and different cultures to the children of our bigoted fundie relatives. :evilgrin:

If you do not want to try to evaluate books yourself, the ALA lists notable and award winning children's books each year:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/childrensnotable/notablechibooks/index.cfm

As the kids got older, we gave them gift certificates to book stores so they could pick their own books. Once they reached sixteen, they just got money. I figured if they were not readers by then, they never would be.

[msanthrope]

10. Can I suggest some well-made, 'vintage' toys? Or new, well-made ones?

Vermont Country Store usually sells well-made stuff, even old favorites.

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/browse/Home/Toys/D/20100/P/1:100:10370

The Melissa and Doug brand are pretty well-made, too.

http://www.melissaanddoug.com/


good luck!

[spinbaby]

11. This outfit has some lovely things:

http://www.hearthsong.com/

I used to buy from them when my nieces and nephews were younger. Not much for older kids, but tons for the little ones.

[question everything]

12. Can you find a local arts and craft store?

Often made by seniors, or the disables. You can find some nice things and you know they were made in your backyard (but perhaps using material from China..)