Amish offer another toy alternative

Since the recall madness broke out this spring, tens of millions of toys have been deemed unsafe, and lots of parents -- me included -- have been buying Christmas presents on Web sites selling handmade and US-made toys. But here's an alternative I hadn't considered: the Amish.

Groups of Mennonites and Pennsylvania Dutch are highly skilled at making things by hand, since they generally shun electricity. These toys don't come cheap, but they are exquisite. Check out handmade doll cradles, wooden puzzles, pull toys and hobby horses at these Web sites:

http://www.futureheirlooms.net/
http://www.artsinheaven.com/items/amish-toys-amish-wooden-toys/list.htm
http://www.squidoo.com/amishtoys/
http://www.crafttoys.com/