Deck the Halls, Not Your Toys

We've all had those moments when we're trying to open a new toy and we just want to throw it against the wall because it would be easier to break into Fort Knox than into Hello Kitty. Plastic that doesn't cut, wire ties that don't loosen, and my personal nemesis on earth: clamshell casings (why! why?) These packaging hindrances don't get anyone into the festive spirit. That's not me in the photo above, but somewhere her mom is screeching, "Don't use your teeth! Do you know how much I paid for those teeth?" Just like my mom always says to me when I'm gnawing on the child-safe lid of an Excedrin bottle or biting into a new electronic.

Alas! Amazon is offering products delivered in "Frustration Free" Packaging! (cue Angels Singing) They even have a section where you can upload photos or videos of your "wrap rage!"

Seriously, I'm thrilled about this initiative not only on a personal level, but on a global level for the fact that Amazon's new packing eliminates a lot more than headaches and toothaches. Environmentally friendly packaging means much less waste of cardboard and plastic we don't even need! Now all you need to do is recycle the cardboard box in which your package free item is delivered.

Kudos to Fisher-Price, Mattel, Microsoft and Transcend for pioneering this effort with Amazon. It's Jeff Bezos' (Founder and CEO of Amazon) goal to eventually offer every single item sold via Amazon in "frustration free" packaging.

Now, if only Amazon could spread some "frustration free" goodness into a few other areas of my life...