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Holiday shopping has never been fun for parents, but this season may take the cake. Our wallets have shrunk, and last year's toy recalls have us wondering if all toys are toxic. Remain calm. There are absolutely some safer toys out there, and fortunately, a parent-friendly web site has made finding them a whole lot easier.

HealthyToys.org is an ever-growing database maintained by the non-profit Ecology Center, which, along with other research groups, uses X-ray technology to detect lead, PVC (polyvinyl chloride, aka the poison plastic), and a few other heavy metals and chemicals, in both plastic and wood toys. Healthy Toys just released its latest tests on 1,500 toys and found that lead was present in 20 percent of them, with kid's jewelry having the highest levels, and PVC was used in 27 percent. On the positive side, the Center noticed a 50-percent reduction in toys with elevated lead levels in this year's tests over last year's.

TOYS

Come February 10, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act will ban the use of hormone-disrupting phthalates (used to soften plastics) and will enact tougher-than-ever lead standards for toys made after February 10. But, alas, February comes after December, meaning it can't protect our kids this holiday. While Toys "R" Us and other retailers have already started complying with some of the new rules (all products in Toys "R" Us stores currently meet the law's lead requirements), others may be providing deep discounts on unsafe toys that don't meet the new standards. Don't be tempted by rock-bottom prices, and consult HealthyToys.org before buying your kids their much-desired playthings.

Checking to see if something has been recalled at www.recalls.gov is also a smart move, especially if you're buying used (recalled toys may wind up for sale on eBay and Craigslist). Even better, why not buy from a local craftsperson? You can ask specifically if he or she uses lead-free paints and plant-based wood finishes—it's the toy equivalent of shopping at a farmer's market!

SITES FOR SAFER TOYS

Rosiehippo.com
Oompa.com
Moolka.com
Green Guide's Toys Buying Guide
Find local toy makers at GenGreenLife.com.

ELECTRONICS

If what your offspring desires with all of her little heart is something electronic, head straight to Greenpeace's most-recent greener electronics report (released in September: www.greenpeace.org/electronics) before purchasing. Greenpeace ranks companies based on how committed they are to making products free of toxic heavy metals (like mercury) and other hazardous materials, such as brain-damaging brominated flame retardants (BFRs), hormone-disrupting phthalates and PVC.

Nintendo (maker of the much-desired Wii) didn't score well on Greenpeace's list, mainly because of their poor recycling program and because the company hasn't phased out the use of PVC in all products. However, they have banned phthalates in everything, and both the Wii and the handheld gamer, DS Lite, are among their greenest products, free of BFRs, lead, mercury and other heavy metals.

Greenpeace gave Nokia its highest score overall, with Samsung not too far behind, making them good sources for mobile phones. Sony got fair rankings for chemical reduction, and most of their Walkmans are PVC and brominated flame retardant-free. Apple iPods are always good gifts for teens (and now even sophisticated tweens). Fortunately their latest Touch, Nano and Classic iPods are also free of BFRs, PVC and mercury. Just make sure to spend extra for PVC-free ear phones.

Once you choose your toys well, you can focus—with peace of mind—on the thrilled kid tearing open the (recycled-paper-wrapped) package.