McDonald's Cash Register. When the buttons are pressed, you hear sayings such as "french fries" and "hamburger"

A while back, I wrote an entry on some of my recommendations on gifts for children (Holiday Gift Idea: Gifts that keep on giving… for children only).

The general theme of that piece can really be applied to folks of any age although I highlighted children because they are the most impressionable, for better or worse.

While strolling around Oakridge Mall here in San Jose, California, I took a double take on this toy at Target, the “McDonald’s Cash Register”.

No, do not be fooled for one moment – this is not a toy to teach a 3+ year old child math skills or money management. A quick push of any of the buttons and one can hear an audible computer voice state things such as “french fries”, “hamburger”. Where are the salad options which are still high in sodium but much healthier by any comparison to the regular fare at McDonald’s?

I stood there trying to come up with one redeeming quality and came up empty-handed. The toy was on sale for $7. I would not buy this toy for anyone even if McDonald’s was offering to pay everyone $7 for buying it. In fact, I think that is the least they can do. If this is not an advertisement for McDonald’s and the fast food culture I don’t know what is.

Loni Says: Stay away from this toy and anything resembling it. If not for yourself then for the future goodness of this world’s healthcare systems.

Loni Kao Stark

Loni is a self-professed foodie, adventure travel seeker and aspiring artist. It's been said her laugh can be heard from San Jose all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge. She's been known to dance and spin across Napa and the Baja. The former Ms. Global Petite runner-up is host of WineTube TV, SSC Presents and The Artist Diaries. In a former life she was simply: "sushiweakness." More »

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