The Radar has an hilarious list of the top 10 most dangerous toys ever made. This includes Lawn Darts…
Lawn darts were massive weighted spears. You threw them. They stuck where they landed. If they happened to land in your skull, well, then you should have moved. During their brief (and generally awesome) reign in 1980s suburbia, Jarts racked up 6,700 injuries and four deaths.
and the Fisher-Price Power Wheels Motorcycle…
Eager youngsters who gunned the throttle found that it often stayed gunned, stuck in a petrifying state of perma-acceleration. Presumably, the child on the motorcycle was then taken on a hellish, intestine-twisting scream ride.
I still haven’t sorted out my Christmas shopping. I ask my mum for helpful suggestions and she says things like “you being home will be enough.” Sweet, but not very helpful 
December 16th, 2006 at 9:10 pm
Darn–I’ve got some people who lawn darts would be perfect for (I know that’s not very nice of me, but I never pretended to be nice).
Mom’s are tough when it comes to shopping. What about a gift card for a local spa or salon so she can pamper herself? Or you could frame some of your awesome photos–that would be very cool, especially if you have some of your fam.
Apparently all my xmas cards are being returned to me for insufficient postage (what? it’s always been sufficient before!). You might get yours my midMay!
Meg
December 18th, 2006 at 1:27 am
WHAAAAT?! No BB gun?! Oh well, it’s still funny.
Speaking of Christmas shopping, I’m not especially proud to admit it, but one thing we sometimes do in our family is buy our own gifts and give them to the giver in exchange for reimbursement. The upside: The receiver always gets exactly what s/he wants, and the giver is spared the stressful experience of searching for that perfect item. The downside: The element of surprise is ruined, and one could say that the spirit of gift-giving is cheapened. Anyway you do it, however, the most important aspect of gift-giving is the conveyance of love and tidings of goodwill. As long as that gets through, all is well. That’s my two cents.
December 18th, 2006 at 10:28 am
Meg: I think I already have a card from you waiting at my parent’s house. I’ve been awful with cards this year and still haven’t managed to send ANY but hopefully if I send some today they will get to people by Christmas. Gift card could be a good idea…but my mum reads my blog…so I’ll say no more
Crandaddy: No BB gun, but they did have a toy cannon…that really would have been the greatest thing ever when I was a kid!!
You’re very right about gift-giving being about conveying love. I like Amazon wishlists – you can select a load of things that you want, and people can pick something from that…in fact I should have forced my family to create wishlists a month ago…there’s a plan for next year!