Yet another recall of a Chinese-made toy due to dangerous levels of lead has been issued: this time for the Curious George plush dolls manufactured by Marvel toys of New York, New York.

The dolls, which have been sold since December 2005, have been found to contain more than .06 percent of lead in the surface paint, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Aquadots and toy cars are among the many toys yanked off the shelves after they were found to contain dangerous amounts of lead. No illnesses have been reported, but unless the major toy companies step up to the plate with safe, non-toxic toys that will not harm children, I’m not buying.

Yes, it might be easy for me to say that right now with a 5-month-old who doesn’t know the difference between a new toy and an empty box, but I am quite sure I’d rather spend a bit more for a quality toy made of environmentally friendly materials than jump on the holiday band-wagon and hope that the majority of my child’s Christmas list will not make her ill, or heaven forbid, even worse.

Hmmm. Maybe there is a reason the mass-produced toys are so cheap.

According to Toyinfo.org, the toy industry is currently working with members of Congress to ensure that mandatory testing is performed by accredited labs. But it seems too little, too late. Children have already been poisoned.

So what is a parent (or well-meaning relative) to do for the coming Christmas season? Why not skip the toys and go for books, gift-certificates to a favorite restaurant, theme-park or museum, or encourage your children to focus on the spirit of the season, instead, with time donated at a local soup kitchen or shelter? More ideas for parents and their children are available in this New York Times Letter to the Editor.

You might also want to take a look at this list of lead-free American-made toys at The Daily Green. Yes, they might be a bit pricier, but what parent out there is going to say that their child isn’t worth it?

For more up-to-date information on toy recalls, you can sign up for email alerts on toy recalls from the Consumer Products Safety Commission.