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PAGE 10, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20,1989 Foi e in r less stress toy buying... It m ynothuzz, walk, tall or find a few of the best toys listed ana atfection to bring them a 'light u , but n infohnal game for their age groups in the that will prove dissappointin1 called Consumer Research could CTTC's report, in categories that The Toy Report is availa help make Christmas toy buying interest them. Also suggest they major bookstores for $8.95 less stressful for many Ontario look up ratings for the items on can be found in many libra: families- their own wish lists. Copies can also be obtainec According to consumer experts, The To Report rates more mail for $8.95 plus $2 vost the equipment required is mini- than 1,50 prc ucts, based on a and handling. Write to mal: your children s wish lists, a year-long, play-testing program. CTTC 950 Gladstone Ave., S few store catalo es and a copy "This puication is the defini- 110, ôttawa of the 1990 Toy port produced tive reference guide to Canadian As well as shopping for good F by the Canadian Toy Testing toys," Lentz says. "Not only does value, parents should check t Council (CTTC). it help with the selection of carefullyto be sure they are s The object of the game is to quality playthings, it offers a Lentz says. find toys that will thrill the great opportunity to show young Electrical toys that are children Christmas morning and people how to use product batter-operatd should bear still hold their interest long reports. Too often Christmas Canadian Standards Associati after, sJys Carolyn Lntz of the teaches children to overspend CSA officias also warn Ontario Ministry of Consumer and buy on impulse. Why not electric toys such as trains, n and Commercial Relations teach them goocshopping skills car sets, stoves and similar F (MCCR). instead?" ducts can be damaged and e Too often, children's choices Once a few toys have been made dangerous if they get v are influenced by hard-hitting selected from the report, the They shouid not be used outsic marketing campaigns, toy coun- consumer game can be aug- For further information ab cil officiais say. Tearful protests mented by com arison-shopping saftey standards for toys, cont of "but everyone else has one," skills and has the added benifit the CSA Info Centre at (4 are heard more often than of letting children see pictures of 747-4058. Christmas carols in some homes. the products they like, says General consumer advice Parents face the same dilemma Lentz. Trips to a few toy stores available from MCCRs inforr every Christmas-- how to fulfill to see the merchandise first- tion centre at 555 Yonge StrE their children's dreams without hand can also be a good idea. Toronto Ontario M7A 2H doing them the disservice of buy- The Toy Report does not include (416e%326- 8555 or toli free ng poor-quality playthings. photos. 1-800-268-1142. Ontario r 'Children may be responding Burtch points out that, despite dents with an 807 area code m to peer pressure, but as parents best efforts, parents may stili cail the 416 number collect. 7 we are victims of "tear pressure"- have to compromise in their final - fear of dissappointing our chil- gift choices to avoid dissappoint- speech impared is (416) 3À dren," says Leslie Burtch, direc- ment on Christmas morning. If it 8566. tor of evaluations for the council. is within the family budget, sup- etts'bly,Wealways seem to plement a good toy choice with n rourelves dealing with t*o one modestiy priced fad item ease lists-- our children's wish list and from the child's wish list. Recycle lMs our own list of toys we know will "Since advertising and peer be satisfying. The trick is to find pressure are here to stay, we Newspaper a toy that appears on both." have to get more creative in One of the best ways to do this responding to the problem," is to sit down with the family for Burtch says. "How about telling a game of Consumer Research children the truth - that Santa J I'à Lentz says. Challenge childaen tn holds them in too much regard Care or rf At first glance, at least in mçst parts of banada,'it may not seem like gardening weather, but enthusiasts know that just because most dys are dull, a d e te peratues o doest't ea adening as ceâed. : Accor1 ng to the Canadian Garden Council, most outdoor gardeners shift their activities indoors once the first frost hits. The council says that between now and Christmas, well over six million poinsettias will be sold in Canada. And, obabl ne y other ne miljon platswill e gown here in Canada for export to the U.S.A. Over the past few years, there have been a number of new cultivars of poinsettia introduced te the market, and while the solid red varieties are still the most popular (well over 3/4 of the market), the white and pink, along with the newer marbled tones of creamy-white and pink, and the speckled red, have proven popular in Canada. New for 1989 is a yellow poinsettia - yes, you read it right - a yellow poinsettia. It's called 'Lemon Drop,' but there will only be limited availability this year. The Canadian Garden Council points oüli that regardless of where you buy your poinsettia, it is important that they not be exposed te cold temperatures even for a minute or two on the way between store and car, or car and house. The council advises that poinsettia plants may well suffer leaf yellowing and the loss a toy e at and ries. d by tage the uite 3E6. play tois a e, not the ion. hat ace- pro- yen wet. de. out tact 116) is ma- eet, r6-- at esi- nay The ng/ 26- GRACE MORRISON, author of a series of books on six French-Canadian personages, under the general title "Vingettes d'histoire du Canada,' acted the role of each of the six in a presentation before grade 7 and 8 French immersion students at Leslie McFarlane public school recently. Peter Tomblin-Free Pre photo Christmas savings and safety tips While everyone else writes gift lists, the advisory elves at Ontario's Consumer Ministry 18 have compiled a roster of Christ- mas savings and safety tips. yof/sett ia The hectic holiday can enhance careless spendng and dangerous beha or, sys Minister of Con- sum& and Commercial Relàtions arrive in your home if they are your hand ,over a piece of paper.. Gme aySorbarm R exposed to temperatures of 10 As soon as you get the plants lom f orbha. ds t degrees C (50 degi-ees F) Ã"r less. if honio, water them' well sÃ" water', by phony charities, this other- they happen to sit outside in runs through the hole in the wise joyous season is dotted with temperatures just above freezing bottom of the pot. About 10 pitfa Is for the unwary," Sorbara foî several hour, awai ng sale, migutes after watering, pour says. "But with a littie foresight yo are almost ranted thes awdy any !and all excess water and planning, the risks of mak- plants will suffer once in your that ran through the hole. As ing mistakes can be cut down home. with most houseplants, without cutting into the fun.» poinsettias do not like to grow in Ministry staff offer the follow- a pot that is sitting in water. ing tips to help make Christmas So, a most important point Check poinsettias daily for safe and satisfng: about poinsettias is that if the water. When the soil in the pot - Don't drin and drive, drink temperature is below 10 degrees feels dry, water well as suggested. and ski, drink and operate C, be absolutely sure that your Since the plants are at the peak machnery....basically don't drink plant is wrapped well for of their output, a liquid or soluble and do anything potentially transport between the store, your fertilizer should be applied hazardous. y car nd our ome Inverycol di- When buymng a natural car and yourhome. I nvery cold according to package directions. Christmas tree, be sure it is termperatures, or windy condi- Poinsettias prefer tem?.eratures fresh by doing the "drop test." tions, well wrapped means an between 16 and 22 degrees C (60 Hoid te dee u ight, a few outer co-er oflgreen or fancy and 72 degrees F) in the daytime, inches in the air, tlen thump the paper and/or plastic with layers with a reduction of 4 to 6 degrees stump on the ground. If needles of newspaper inside as well. celsius at night. One final fallmo in abundance, the tree is The care that the plants in the important factor is to make sure not fresh. store receive before you buy them your poinsettias are not in drafts - To set up a natural tree, is also an important factor. of any type. Avoid strong moving always cut about one inch off the Plants allowed to dry out between air near entrance ways (cold) or trunk butt to allow the absorp- watering will not thnive in your hot air registers (hot). Drafts tion of water. Stand the tree in a home regardless of how well you cause poinsettias to drop their plentiful supply of water, taking treat them. foliage and coloured bracts care to refill the container as When you buy your poinsettias, prematurely. required. Trees may use from keep in mind that by following Unfortunatley, due to an old 500 ml ( approximately 1 pint) to the suggestions given here, you myth that occasionally gets media two litres (about two quarts) of will easily be able to keep them coverage, some people still think water daily. Properly treated thriving and looking terrific at that the foliage of poinsettias i natural trees can be kept indoors least until Easter! (Say, maybe poisonous. No part of poinsettia - Do not hang stockings above that new yellow poinsettia will be plants is poisonous, according to a a firepace that bas been in use just the plant for your Easter, major research work carried out within the last 12 hours. too!) in the early 1970s at Ohio State - Befoe donating, check out Care of your Christmas University. Consumer and Cor- chanities carefuy by asking poinsettias is simple. The porate Affairs Canada removed questions. Who benifits and what Canadian Garden Council says the poinsettia from its poisonous percentage of proceeds actually they require at least six hours of plant list 15 years ago! Still, as go on to the charity? Cet bright light (indirect sunlight) with all plants it is advisable to addresses and phone numbers of each day. Judge the light by keep them out of the reach of canvassers and charity head- whether or not you are able to children, as insecticides may have quarters. Reember, the exis-g read fine oint. You should be been used on the foliadi tance of a federal-income-tax gurantee that the charity is legi- timate. - Don't burn gift wrap or other trash in fireplace or wood stoves. - Place Christmas trees - natural or artificial - away from all sources of heat and avoid putti g them where they obstruzt exits! - A •few days before they are .needed, turkeys should be put in the refrigerator to defrost. Don't defrost poultry or, for that mat- te, any large amount of frozen foods by leaving it sitting on the counter for extended periods. Consult kitchen guides to deter- mine the amount of defrosting time required or calLthe Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food's Consumer Centre at (416) 326-3400. - Check store refund-and- exchange policies before buying anything, especially gift items. Keep all receipts, tags and pro- duct packaging untilsure the merchandise is suitable. - Check all outdoor and indoor Christmas lights to ensure they bear the. CS approval mark of the Canadian Standards Associa- tion. Don't leave tree lights on when the family is asLep or away from home. - Don't give live animals as presents. Too many gift pets end up unwanted, neglected and homeless. Never let your credit card out of your sight or give the number out by phone inless you initiate the call and are certain of the company's honesty. Destroy all carbons.from credit card slips. For information about con- sumer rights and responsibilities at any time of the year, contact the ministry's Consumer Infor- mation Centre atn555 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario MTA 2H6-- (416) 326-8555 oritoll free at 1-800-268-1142. Ontario resi- dents with .in 807 area ode may call the 416 number collect. The TDDT1' line fiqr the hearing injiredin (416>326-8566 r .~uqTu~mruu - 9