Christmas Made in U.S.A.

Today, a radio program on NPR discussing the American economy featured one dismal and anxious economist and one devil-may-care economist. A caller suggested buying American toys this Christmas to help us get America back on track. The economists responded in the following way. (These are paraphrases.) Economist #1 said "No. Don't buy anything! We're heavily in debt! Get your kid a card or make something for Christmas. For the love of God, don't put anything on a credit card." Economist #2 said, "You'd be hard-pressed to find any toys made in America. You just won't find anything as good as the imports for the price." Both of these responses seem to be missing the boat.

Economist#1 would go a rather cheerless route. If you happen to be good at making something, go for it. And, yeah, don't go into debt for Christmas. Stay within your means. But a card? If your kid is grown up and away at college or trekking in Nepal okay, but little kids get excited about Christmas and if you haven't been spoiling them all year, maybe you have a little savings set aside to get them a few nice toys. It's Christmas for heaven's sake. Don't be a Scrooge.

I got the feeling that Economist #2 lives in a world where "Christmas toys" means Sony whatsits and I-Podlings or maybe he means cars. But there are plenty of genuine toys (not machines or gadgets) still made in the U.S. and his response gives them short shrift. Economists tend to think in big terms like publicly traded companies. In doing so they miss a growing sector of the economy. Sociologists think of it as part of the "informal" economy and see it as characteristic of Third-World or "undeveloped" economies. This is the bias of thinking in such large terms. Micro-businesses can grow. And some that don't, still produce a living or a buffer against want.

In the manufacturing vacuum where plenty of people are whittling instead of working in factories, some have started their own micro-businesses. I call this the artisan renaissance. One of the first places to look for unique and beautiful toys is at crafts fairs and online fair and auction sites. I recommend both Etsy and Ebay


Pictures:
At Etsy
"Carlton" by Morninglory
"Jingle Balls" by AppleBlossomBaby
Dumptruck by "Creative Wood

Castleblocks by Peter Dziulak at www.thevillageblocksmith.com






















There are still some classic toy companies in the U.S. Other new companies have revived classic toys or developed hip new toy concepts. Here are a few considerations.

Sunprint Kit by Tedco

The Ungame
by Talicor

Bird Bingo
by Channel Craft

Chakra Energy (a Yoga game) by Spiraling Hearts

Marbles by Channel Craft

Color Theory Magnets from Simple Memory Art (SMArt)

Community Playthings dramatic play collection

Imagiplay farm

Madame Alexander Dolls--STILL made in New York. The factory is in Harlem.

Many Crayola products are made in the U.S. check packages

Uncle Goose blocks

Many Melissa & Doug products are made in U.S., check packages

Vermont Teddy Bear

Erector Set

Dune Craft dome series of terariums

Fractiles-7 by Fractiles a magnetic design toy

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.