Christmas Toys, Trees, and DIY

Posted by Kelly Smith Dec 18, 2007

Have you finished your Christmas shopping? I know I haven’t! It’s a guy thing, I guess. But then I’ve got an advantage; as a writer working out of my home office, I’m my own boss. I can give myself time off during the week so I don’t have to mingle with thousands of “cheerful” consumers at the stores.

Christmas Toys!

The one thing that irritates me is all the lead-coated toys those conscientious Chinese have sent us. Even Toys for Tots is feeling the pinch as they throw away bad toys. Don’t misunderstand me – I’m all for free trade. But the Chinese simply don’t trade fair.

The upside is that some domestic toy makers have gotten a boost. They’ve been blacklisted by money-grubbing toy distributors far too long.

For instance, Don and Mary Hurley at D and ME Toys in Montana make their toys from wood and finish them with natural oils. And they don’t have any Chinese kids chained to the work bench!

Home Grown Christmas Trees!

The only other disappointment is that the local Christmas tree farm didn’t open its doors this year. Something to do with crop rotation, I think. We have a family tradition of cutting our own. It’s very cool for kids.

Progress on the PR (Perpetual Remodel)

Have any of you got any DIY projects in the pipeline? Since the weather has turned mild I’ve been spending some time working on the house. Yes, the wife is smiling! I’ve replaced a ceiling fan, finished most of the baseboard installation, and I’m about ready to start remodeling the bathroom.

I felt that morally I needed to crank things up a notch since my recent article on DIY New Year’s resolutions. Give it a read and start making your list!