You can throw out labels like "eco-friendly parenting" or even "cheap as hell," but whatever you do, don't throw that junk mail out. And for God's sake, don't put those Thai food take-out containers in the recycling bin! Those things are toddler gold, way better than the $50 singing light-up vibrating plastic ball thrower that blares out the ABCs to the tune of Old MacDonald. And much better than the Elmo doll thingy your mother-in-law was on a waiting list for eight months to buy for your child.

You don't have to be one of those crazy coupon ladies to admit that stuff meant for the trash can actually make great toys for toddlers. I love this article with quick and common-sense ideas on how to create toys for your kids out of toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes, margarine tub and frozen juice can lids (not that any of you buy juice from concentrate or fake butter...the horrors!), among many other items ready to be tossed or recycled.

These tips are not only great for home (as evidenced by the untouched bath toys sitting sadly on the side of the tub for months and hastily, happily replaced by hummus tubs and the perineal squeeze bottle) but are also wonderful ways to avoid packing tons of toys on vacation. The hotel room can become a place to scavenge for toys-to-be and the best part is, the plastic cup "drums" and ice bucket "swimming pool" for shampoo and conditioner "people" all get replaced tomorrow! But whether you're at home or away when you whip up a fabulously entertaining shoebox and rubber band "guitar," do remember that once played with, this trash -- I mean toy -- is destined to become just as prized and permanent as all the other cluttery, crappy toys you actually paid money to store.