I'm not paranoid.

In light of the many many recent toy recalls, I've vowed to be extra careful in my selection of Christmas/birthday gifts for Jeremiah this year. I check the ChinaFreeChristmas site regularly, and inspect everything I consider buying, to determine its country of origin. Good plan right? Shouldn't have to worry about anything Jeremiah gets from Santa this year, right??

Well, turns out, it's a pain in the neck to not buy from China. Most of the toys that are popular are made in China, and those that aren't are really really expensive.

This, for example, is something I thought about getting for Jeremiah.

It's cool, made of wood, and will help him learn his colors, as well as learn to stack things (I'm big on stacking or building--something that actually gets him thinking as opposed to just being amused.) Best part, it's from Poland! "You'll love the price!" CFC said. I clicked on the link to check it out on Amazon--$39! Okay, now, it's cool, but it's not that cool. So I ordered the cheap plastic version from BabyCenter for $5--and it's not made in China. I forget where, I think Italy, but I just remember it wasn't China.

Not that buying China-made toys will mean you're home free of recalls. But I do think twice when something is.

One toy I was interested in for him was the Maxi Modo Blocks by Chicco. They're giant legos, basically, and they were on sale at BabyCenter (tried to order a bunch of stuff to get the free shipping... yes, I will shop somewhere just because it's free shipping [if Amazon doesn't carry it, that is... You can't beat 2nd Day!]) Well, I looked and I couldn't find any info on where it was made. I checked their website, and they're an Italian based company, so I thought they'd be safe, but gave 'em a call anyways (I thought, "What the heck. It's quicker than email.") Customer service answers, and I kinda cringe as I ask, "I was wondering if any of your toys were made in China...?" You could almost hear the gal on the other end rolling her eyes and smiling as she said, "Yes, most of them are." I asked which toys weren't, she told me, and then added, "If it makes you feel any better, Italy has very high standards on what chemicals are used in the production of our toys, even higher than what we have here in the US, and in the time our company has been around, since the 40's, there's never been a recall." Yeah, that does make me feel better. And the blocks are so big, I don't think they'll be going in his mouth (he doesn't chew on the big stuff, just the little stuff.)

I will say this; I'm sure that woman has heard that question a thousand times by now, and lots of people are probably rude about it (she didn't say that, but she implied it.) But she was the nicest gal I've ever talked to at any Customer Service (well, besides Nordstrom. The chic that helped me out when the zipper on my bag was busted was really sweet, too.) So Chicco toys are okay with me!

Thomas the Tank, however.... buyer beware (too bad, too... was thinking about getting this for Jeremiah someday, but not if there are babies around... Maybe Brio's safe...)