With little Maggie-May's birthday recently upon us, conversation turned once again to present buying for kiddiwinks. I always procrastinate way too much on what to do for birthday and christmas presents for our little girl.
I want Maggie to grow up realising that toys and belongings are special, are to be valued and do not just get given willy-nilly to be then thrown away a month later when they become broken or get bored of it. I also want her to experience the joy that is had in making and creating toys, games and amusement ideas.
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Check out this blog the homemade dolls house. A mother pledges to "engage in one-on-one playing for an entire year" and they create the most wonderful little 'dolls house' world. When I read this I thought it was just so special, a real character building project. I think it's so important to feed our children's imaginations, let them experiment with their abilities and express their feelings in ways other than the obvious.
I always like to make Maggie a present and when the gift she receives from us is as cute as this upcycled rocking horse, I don't feel so guilty.
I want Maggie to grow up realising that toys and belongings are special, are to be valued and do not just get given willy-nilly to be then thrown away a month later when they become broken or get bored of it. I also want her to experience the joy that is had in making and creating toys, games and amusement ideas.
.jpg)
Check out this blog the homemade dolls house. A mother pledges to "engage in one-on-one playing for an entire year" and they create the most wonderful little 'dolls house' world. When I read this I thought it was just so special, a real character building project. I think it's so important to feed our children's imaginations, let them experiment with their abilities and express their feelings in ways other than the obvious.
I hate all those horrible plastic toys, particulalry those that have mass consumerism 'branding' plastered across them. I just don't think they're neccessary - like mosquitos! I'm also very concerned about the social and environmental issues in mass consumerism but that's a whole other soapbox:) But then I feel torn with guilt. Is she missing out? Is it unfair to put all this on her when she is still so ickle? But I guess she'll still get given all the 'plastic toys' that other kiddiwinks have.
I always like to make Maggie a present and when the gift she receives from us is as cute as this upcycled rocking horse, I don't feel so guilty.
Next time you head to your local charity shop, check out the toy section too and see the potential of those toys. It's such a good feeling to recycle and recreate.
6 comments:
Maggie's bday presents are such a good idea.
I love your thoughts on consumerism, I totally agree. I just love that little painted rocking horse.
I am going to check out the handmade dolls house, the idea of the mother with her child building towards the little dolls house for a year is something I will do when I have children!
Kate :)
I totally agree. I have avoided plastic toys like the plague. As a result I think my little one's playspace is much more inviting. If I do ever buy plastic it is always from the second hand shop and carefully thought through. xo m.
Great post Claire, I totally agree also. The Munchkin has toys that belonged to my Mum, aunty, sisters and I, and we have found lots of great oppie finds. The only plastic that comes into our house new other than lego comes from my in-laws, and some of that (inc. ghastly Bratz dolls) is put away to be redistributed.
So true. I often feel like an awful mum for rarely buying toys but between the lovely things we collect outdoors & 'hand-me-downs' from family we just don't have the need to! Our most recent addition was an enormous box of well cared for Duplo from my sister that included most of the pieces I played with as a child, and they were hand-me-downs back then, too!
I love that rocking horse! I'm trying to find time to make a little upcycled gift for my girl too...
Wow you are a mother close to my heart with this topic. I also agonize about giving or other people giving our daughter plastic junk disguised as toys. To waste all that money and resources on toys that are probably going to break and be tossed aside with boredom within weeks seems really sad and stupid. I love the rocking horse and those stacking boxes wow, where did you find them?
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