I'm interested in going to dollar stores to buy inexpensive children's birthday gifts.  All the birthdays in a given month can really add up!  However, with the recent lead-in-toys scare, I'm nervous to buy any toys from a dollar store. 

 Does anyone have any tips on avoiding dangerous toys (i.e. ones with lead) in dollar stores?  Or other sources for inexpensive birthday gifts?

 Thanks!

 Another member here (sorry, don't remember who or which thread) made several unisex gift boxes with back-to-school supplies. Right now, the prices are right!

When the sales start, she stocks up on school boxes, crayons, scissors, erasers, watercolors, markers, etc., then stores them for the birthday. When the birthday rolls around, she adds a gender-specific coloring book and has a nice gift for about $3.

I started this a few weeks ago. This week Target has washable Crayola markers for $1 a box, which is the last thing I need for my gift packs. 

I wish the children I buy for were of an age for that to be a good gift. I love that idea.

Possibly this is a variation on the theme.  I make surprise balls for children, mainly out of crepe paper streamers.  I put a trinket or a piece of candy (the trinket could be one of a pair of earrings, for example) in the middle of he first wrap-around, & keep adding trinkets(such as the other earring)  & wrap-around's till I get a nice solid ball of about 4" diameter.  It was an appreciated & hallowed gift to my brother for many years into his adulthood ....  You just need to be imaginative about the tiny things that you put in.

orangeleaf:

I'm interested in going to dollar stores to buy inexpensive children's birthday gifts.  All the birthdays in a given month can really add up!  However, with the recent lead-in-toys scare, I'm nervous to buy any toys from a dollar store. 

 Does anyone have any tips on avoiding dangerous toys (i.e. ones with lead) in dollar stores?  Or other sources for inexpensive birthday gifts?

 Thanks!

Have you thought about puzzles and board games? Dollarama recently started stocking old favorites like Snakes and Ladders, Checkers, etc. and they have always had boxed puzzles. My kids are both grown, so I'm kind of out of the loop on the lead in toys thing. What kinds of toys have lead in them? Is there lead in plastic? Dollar stores have lots of chunky plastic trucks and other vehicles for the younger set.

I love the surprise ball idea !  I think I might try that idea for birthday party favours.

 This is a list of recalled toys for various reasons:  http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html

Many toys that have been manufactured in China have been recalled for containing lead. One article on it can be found here:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070822.wchinatoys0822/BNStory/International/home 

I think the concern that relates the recalls to dollar stores is the high number of toys or items carried in them that have come from China.

I heard on this morning's radio news that China has exported gazillions of NON-SANITIZED, USED chopsticks ....  &, the reporter said that China is well on its way to supplanting the USA as 2nd largest exporter in the world.  (I wonder who is No. 1 - Japan still?)

Sorry that this could be on the wrong thread - since you ae talking about toys.  BUT I can see those chopsticks being sold at Dollar Stores ....

I am finding our trade with China very disturbing.