Well, this weekend before Christmas marks the second annual World Wide Christmas Toy Drop organized by the Toy Society. (You may recall my posts on the group from January and February of this year: one, two) Their Australian based blog is headquarters for a worldwide, pay-it-forward style street project in which members create handmade toys and disperse them anonymously - leaving them in public places to be found and given homes by complete strangers. I’ve become a regular visitor, reading about the various ‘toy drops’ in places near and far and loving the accounts by those who have discovered and given homes to these toys. It’s such a simple act of kindness and some of the discovery stories are really moving.

In December of 2008, Christmas Drop participants distributed 104 toys around the globe and of course this year they’re hoping to exceed that numbers. As of this moment, it appears that there are 102 toys posted on the Toy Society blog - with, I’m sure, many more to come. I’ve selected a few images showing various drop locations. People are so ingenious and thoughtful, not only in the creation of these handmade toys but in their drop locations - everywhere from the safety seat of a frozen shopping cart to the toy hanging out in the manger of a nativity diorama (both shown below). I can’t tell you how much I love this idea and so have decided to give it a go - scroll down to see my toy.

I’ve been making Sock Elves for my shop this holiday season and decided that one of these fellas should be part of the Toy Society’s Christmas Drop.  I left him just a few minutes ago hanging from the fencing that surrounds a child development center playground in my neighborhood.  The TS has downloadable labels that read simply, “Take me home, I’m yours!”  and a letter that explains the project and encourage the finders to report back  and let them know the toy has been claimed - you can see the label mounted on a card in my picture and the letter is affixed inside.  Part of me wanted to hang out and see who picks it up, but I also don’t want to be that weird guy loitering around the playground luring children with free toys - so I’ve resolved to just drive by later this afternoon and see if he’s still there or hopefully has gone to a good home.

If you’re interested in participating in the Christmas Drop or the Toy Society’s on-going, year-round toy drops - sign up on their site (scroll down the left hand column fr the sign up form) for complete guideline and instructions.  Spread a little handmade love.

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