Times are tough, but that doesn't mean you can't make this Christmas better than ever. Even if you have less money to spend than usual, you can still give your kids everything on their lists. In fact, by doing a little planning and making smart buying decisions, you might even have a little extra for yourself.
Free Shiping at Child BasicsWhether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, there is plenty you can do to save this season. Here are our most helpful tips for getting more bang for your buck:
Plan ahead. This seems like common sense, but you’d be surprised at how many parents put all their faith in a paycheck that is coming their way, only to panic when it falls through. Even if you have a Christmas bonus every year, do your best to put a little aside just in case. With so many companies struggling, those bonuses may not be as large as you expect; if they aren’t cut out altogether. Your savings doesn’t have to be a significant change in your budget. Even if you can only save back ten or twenty dollars a week, that will really add up by the time Christmas rolls around. To make room in a tight budget, consider not eating out as often or giving up your morning latte. It will only be until the holiday's are over, and it will be well worth it when you see the joy on your child's face Christmas morning.
Buy toys that work well for multiple age groups, and let them share big ticket items. Things like indoor playgrounds, play tables, and drawing materials can be enjoyed by kids of any age. This not only gives you more years of use from each item, but you can usually save a few bucks by buying one large item for your kids to share rather than several smaller ones.
Don't take your kids with you while you shop. Even if they have their lists written out and ready to go, when they look at all the toys NOT on their lists…there are sure to be some additions (along with plenty of tears and tantrums if you have to say NO). Let them make out a list of a specified number of toys or games, and then you make your own list of things you'd like for them to have. Ask each child to highlight the item that is most important to them. This will also help YOU from making impulse buying decisions. Better yet, shop online. It’s much easier to stay on track when you are able to narrow down your choices based on age group or category; ensuring you don't get too overwhelmed.
Featuring
KidKraft, Guidecraft, Levels of Discovery, and Teamson Kids.
Have an emergency buying fund. This can money you set aside out of your Christmas savings that you do not include in the initial budget. Lets face it, sometimes you run into that perfect last minute gift that you just HAVE to get. This will allow you to make the purchase without blowing your budget or feeling guilty.
Labels: christmas-toys, kids-toys, toy shopping
by: Child Basics
