How do you tell people (family) that you only want "green" toys for DS

[Loula]

I am really trying to limit the things DS plays with to those that are BPA/PVC free and not made in China. I am not 100% successful, but I'm trying - and since I wasn't focused on this initially, many of my initial purchases don't meet my "new self-imposed rules".

My concern is, what do I tell well meaning friends and family who buy gifts that I really don't want to use (esp. as DS is entering the phase where everything goes into his mouth). I could accept the gifts but then not use them but this seems silly as it's such a waste.

Any suggestions?

Interested to find the sites you are buying from?.......pm me please hun

[buliej]

Bug's Mom - that's a good idea - but I forgot another part of my dilemma (if you can call it that) - usually "green" toys (that's what I'll call them for ease) are more expensive which is an added burden for those who are being generous in the first place by buying gifts...for example, just today, my inlaws said "oh - we need to get some toys for [DS] so he has things to play with when he comes over" - so nice of them, really, but I know the toys will be plastic and not ones that fit my idea of what DS should have - meaning they will have chemicals etc in them that I want to limit his exposure to. I guess I could beat them to the punch and buy toys to leave there but I know it also makes them happy to buy things for DS.

Loula - I can post or PM the brands I've come across and some other info - need to pull it together though. Some of the sites with information are under "likes" on my FB page though.