Did you ever wonder what parents worried about before there were all those dangerous, imported toys from China?
They worried about dangerous, imported toys from Hong Kong!
These guys are lethal. Tiny parts, sharp edges, who knows what kind of toxins in the plastic.
I found a box full of these toys at the Dreadful Dollar Store last week. I took a handful of them over to Pete. (It's a bad sign when I know the first name of the folks at the DDS.) I explained that as weirdly fascinating as I found them, I really didn't want to pay a dollar each for them. 
Pete agreed and suggested the very attractive price of four for a dollar. You don't think he was trying to get rid of them, do you?
It briefly crossed my mind to buy Pete's entire inventory. (Sometimes the dim light and the instant headache I get from the mold and mildew makes it difficult for me to think straight.) Thankfully, I came to my senses.
Still, I'm now the owner of $2 worth of these awful little toys. No wonder my parents refused when I'd beg them to buy me something like this. It's sobering to realize that I'm at the age where everything my parents did now makes perfect sense.
Becoming the owner of these toys has left me with the same feeling I get when once every four or five years, I break down and eat a Hostess Twinkie. You know, that kind of embarrassed, vaguely nauseated, why- did- I- just- do- that feeling? I'm not even sure I'm up for my weekly thrifting trip today.
*counting down the days til the yard sale season begins and I can bring home even more junk.
LOL
Now go thrifting! :-)
Posted by: Sarah | March 26, 2008 at 11:36 AM
The graphics on the packaging are great!
Posted by: Kristin | March 26, 2008 at 12:36 PM
My mother-in-law used to buy toys like these (80s versions) for my daughter. It drove me crazy. I kept saying, just get her a coloring book and box of crayons (if you want to be cheap). Ha! I didn't say the last part. LOL.
Posted by: Julie Fredericksen | March 26, 2008 at 01:34 PM
love. love, love these toys! I mean where can you get tiny scrubbing brushes and dustpans anymore? I don't know why I love them so but I probably would have bought the entire inventory and then carefully put them all in a box on a shelf. It is an illness.
Posted by: pasha plum | March 26, 2008 at 03:54 PM
I remember getting little doll house sets like that too. I just have to know, what do you do with this stuff?
Posted by: lisa | March 26, 2008 at 06:33 PM
I had that very first set you showed! Oh my goodness, seeing it brought back all these warm, fuzzy feelings. I used to love little treats like that. Of course, I had pet rocks too so go figure! LOL
Posted by: Lea of Farmhouse Blessings | March 28, 2008 at 02:34 AM
But, who can resist their cuteness? Look at those graphics. My take is that most of us grew up with lead paint all around & in the toys probably & we are still around. It's obviously better to not be doing that today. I always wonder about that old lead paint on the chippy painted shabby vintage furniture so popular.
Posted by: tammyCA | March 28, 2008 at 11:29 AM
oh i think they would be sweet in little frames or shadow boxes with some adorable vintage fabric or paper in the background! then you can keep them or sell them on etsy!
Posted by: susan | March 30, 2008 at 09:26 PM