Local is Beautiful: Making Conscious Choices to Support Our Communities

Where and how you spend has direct impacts on the economy, environment, and your quality of life. Our society has been living a throw-away lifestyle, resulting in massive impacts – global warming, wars, and economic strife. We have treated our atmosphere, our water, and our land, as dumps. Chains and big box stores have replaced downtowns and locally-owned businesses across America. Boulder has fared better than most, giving us more opportunity to choose where we spend. This is a critical choice. It’s time to calculate the real cost of where we shop and what we buy.

I admit to a strong personal stake in this argument. Five years ago I gave up a successful career in ecological research to own PlayFair Toys, a long-established Boulder business. One reason behind my decision was a belief that business could be a positive force in a community, a part of the solution to the problems I was studying.

Small changes in spending habits can have big impacts. A recent Michigan study concluded that if the 600,000 residents of Kent County redirected just 10% of their spending to locally-owned businesses, it would create nearly $140 million in new economic activity and 1600 new jobs! A similar study here would not yield precisely the same result, but if we could extrapolate directly it would mean $66 million in new economic activity and 750 new jobs. Even if we’re off by an order of magnitude, that’s an enormous impact. How simple this is – change where you shop just one time in ten – and take a step toward changing the world.

I imagine you thinking, “Yes, but I need to save money by shopping the discount chains.” I understand your concern, but is it accurate? Chains are perceived to be inexpensive due to economy of scale. They frequently license a brand but have it manufactured to a different standard. They keep costs down through questionable business practices that often bypass environmental and human rights standards.

Purchasing products made close to home is one of the most powerful actions we can take to improve the environment and community. Energy is at the core of the economic and environmental mess we are in. Purchasing toys made close to home saves energy through less transportation and helps maintain control over environmental impacts. 80% of toys sold in the US are made in China. People were incredulous when certain large toy manufacturers stated they were not aware lead paint was being used to make their toys, but unfortunately they were probably being truthful. They had probably never set foot in those factories nor even knew their exact location. Ethical toy makers work closely with their factories, wherever they are, to maintain humanitarian and environmental standards. They have a personal relationship with the factory managers and owners.

Large corporations spend many ad dollars to convince us they care deeply about people, communities, and the environment. Target is often cited as a “good” chain store, and they do a better job than some other chains in some areas. Yet Target was fined by the EPA for failing to disclose critical environmental information, has done almost nothing to reduce solid waste despite high profile claims, and was given an “F” by the NAACP for its lack of commitment to people of color.

As you watch your budget, know that toys and games are great values for family entertainment. High quality family games cost less than a trip to the movies, constantly offer new choices, and will provide years of family togetherness. Richard Gottlieb recently wrote in Playthings magazine:

“I think playing games with a parent, siblings, or one's friends leads to social literacy. We learn how to interact with other people using a set of rules about what we can and cannot do. …They provide a way for people to cluster and offer life lessons.”

My investment in PlayFair was an investment in Boulder and in the values of fairness and conscious buying. Founded in 1982 as the first toy store in the US dedicated to offering toys based on fairness to all children, we continue our deep commitment to this core value. In June we were featured as a magazine cover story on Green Retailing, because of our commitment to the environment - from the toys we stock to how we operate.

PlayFair carries many toy and game lines made in the US, from Colorado and elsewhere, that cannot be purchased in chains and big box stores. We can help you with specific information about the toy companies and lines we carry, their safety records and commitment to the environment, wherever their toys are made. Target has an aggressive campaign going to create the image of a specialty toy store within a store. Take a close look at the realities of selection, service, and price before you decide where to spend. I am always available to speak directly with you about any aspect of my business.

PlayFair Toys is here for you, Boulder. We remain 100% locally owned. Our children attend local schools. We donate generously to local schools and family organizations. We know that many of you share our values. I urge you to support locally-owned businesses as one small step toward saving the planet and ourselves.

Top 5 Ways to Save Money on Toys

Is it that I've gained, or did someone put the economy in the dryer on high? It's feeling a bit tight!

Whatever is going on in the world, we all understand that childhood comes but once. We want our children to have rich and happy childhoods, no matter what. We want to be able to offer them great toys, we want them to attend birthday parties, and we want them to have fun. So what can you do when money is tight? Whether you are shopping for birthday gifts, something to make a trip go a bit better, or just planning ways to keep the kids busy this summer, we've got ideas that we will help you save money on your toy purchases.

Consider a group present for birthday parties - It's true that all children are different, but I can't count how many times I've attended a birthday party only to watch the birthday girl or boy quickly become overwhelmed by the number of new things they were presented with, each gift needing and deserving hours of attention. Although it might take a bit more planning on your part, having multiple guests give one present that will be truly appreciated can not only save money but will also make for a less overwhelming and less stressful party experience.

Make a budget and stick to it - Decide what you can afford, and then take only that much in cash with you when you shop. That sounds obvious, but how many times are we swayed by kids who want that next better one? Paying with cash can help them understand the finality of it. Money isn't magical - I have a $20 bill, and that's all I have. We have to find something that fits what we have. So you save money while imbuing a habit for a lifetime - living within our means. Now there's a gift that your children can use!

Consider organizing a toy club - This works mainly for babies and toddlers, but it can work wonders for them. This takes about 4-8 families with similarly aged children to work well, although if you have good organizational skills it could be bigger. Each family has an agreed upon number of toys that they contribute to the club, while they are participating in it (your toys remain your property). It works best if that number is equal to the number of families in the club, so that, for example, in a 4 family club everyone puts in 4 toys. About each 4 weeks, clean and sanitize the toys, get together, and swap, so that the sets of toys rotate among the families. When you get your own toys back, you might consider rotating a new set in. Toy rotation can also be practiced in your own home, but what a cost savings to do it this way! Make it a play date and everyone will look forward to this special day.

Take your time to find the right toy - Take the time to pick out toys that are durable, open-ended, and age appropriate. I emphasize that last point because often we are influenced by what our children may have seen on television or at a friend's house, etc, but if that toy is not developmentally appropriate for our child at this point in time, then it may well end up being a complete waste of money. Once a toy is relegated to a corner because it's either too complex to figure out or too simple to hold interest, it's unlikely to come back out, even when the child is ready for it.

Shop your local, independently-owned toy dealer - This tip really brings all the others together, and it is ultimately the one that makes them all possible. Where else will you find someone who can find the right gift at the right time at the right price? They will spend the time necessary to shop with you. Rather than pointing you to one section of a giant store, "Toys", instead you will be presented with nothing but toys, each carefully selected by an expert in toys and child development. Compare prices, and I suspect you'll be pleasantly surprised at how affordable your local toy store is.

So yes, the economy is very tight, if not downright recessive. But we buy toys because we love our children, plain and simple. Keep your toy buying plain and simple, too, and you'll still be able to help your children have great playthings without breaking the bank.