That being said, they still like toys. We recently bought Apples to Apples – and the kids are having a ball. It’s a board game, but it all revolves around words, phrases and what they mean to the players.

I don’t like to buy games that are going to lose their pricey little game pieces within a week. But I have to admit, I did buy them the newest version of OPERATION. We’ve been having a ball playing that, too.

I’m disappointed in many of the building toys of today because most are themed. I love the vintages sets that just included lots of blocks, bricks, or connective pieces. Why do they have to have a set that builds a fort and another one that builds a pirate ship? I say give them the raw materials and let their imaginations go wild.

Then again, there are toys for all kinds of movies that I would think would be too much for little ones. I’m only twenty four, and the things kids are seeing on TV and movies have certainly changed since I was wearing diapers and picking my nose.

My Toys R Us carries books and even has an end rack of “signed by the author” titles. I was intrigued until I opened one and the “signature” is a sticker with the author’s signature pre-printed on it and then stuck in the book.

As for my personal buying policies, I’ll consider buying what my child wants if I can see some other intrinsic value to it – encourages interaction with others/imagination/a life skill (ie. handling money), etc. Add to that doesn’t-need-batteries/will-play-with-for-more than-two-weeks/isn’t-a-huge-lump-of-plastic/doesn’t-fit-up-the-vacuum-hose and eventually I find something we can both appreciate.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!