Dec 18, 2007 4:52 pm US/Eastern
Fed Up With 'Fort Knox' Toy Packaging
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Gift giving is one of the joys of the season, but sometimes getting those gifts out of their packaging can put a damper on things.
It's gotten so bad, Consumer Reports Magazine gives out annual Oyster Awards to the worst packaging nightmares. And there's no jolly good cheer for moms and dads on Christmas morning when they're confronted with toy packaging that's more Fort Knox than North Pole.
"It's a nightmare," said one parent. "Especially the Barbie. Some of them have so many wires and tapes, it takes forever."
Welcome to the house of horror, your local toy store, where the cost and the crowds are nothing compared with the agony of getting the darn things open. "I un-wrap them and put them together for the kids because otherwise, you just spend all Christmas morning trying to unwrap them, and its crazy," said a frustrated parent.
You see a warning sign about choking hazards on toys for kids under three? No need to worry. By the time you get some toys open, your little tot will be ready for college.
"I cut myself at least once or twice a year trying to open some of these plastic packages," said one man.
And get this, the toy industry now sells an array of cutting devices so you can open their airtight packaging.
This is insane. If the toy industry thinks I'm shelling out for a $10 tool to open a $1 toy, they're nuts!
Now you too can fight back against the packaging that stole Christmas. WBZ has created an online petition you can sign that we'll forward to the toy manufacturers, in the hope of taking this hassle out of the holiday season.
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