I published this earlier this month, but I thought I'd bump it up to the top again. Remember everybody, there will be great deals AFTER Black Friday as well!
Here are a few tried and true tips for saving BIG this holiday season:
1. Kids don't need very many toys. As parents, we want to shower them with goodies, but it's sooo not necessary. If you feel like you might be overdoing it, you probably are. Also, kids could care less if an item's gently used, so check kiddie consignment stores, Craigslist, Freepeats.org and Freecycle for big savings. Inspect used toys carefully and check for recalls.
2. Try to buy at 40% or more off list price. Sound like a lot? Many of last season's most popular toys went to 50% off during the second week of December (still in plenty of time to arrive by December 25). Prices will drop, you can be sure, but how long you hold out before buying will depend on your tolerance for risk.
3. Black Friday will rock, especially for those of you who enjoy the sport of it. I predict, though, that toy deals will peak on or around December 6. Order by December 17 or so to be sure that gifts arrive by Christmas. Expect many stores, including Target and Toys R Us, to offer free or cheap expediting shipping for last minute shoppers.
4. Clearance sales on winter clothing traditionally start late in the third week of December through right after Christmas day. Inventory will be best at this time, though the sales will continue long into January and perhaps through February, with the very deepest discounts at the end of the sales. Look for sales at The Children's Place, Old Navy, Crazy 8, Gymboree, and more.
Readers: What are your best toy shopping tips?
Nov 25, 2009
4 Holiday Toy Shopping Tips for Serious Savings
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My best tip is, buy toys that can be played with in a variety of ways so kids don't get tired of them and you don't regret spending the money. For example, kids can get a lot of mileage action figures or dolls. Giant playsets cost a lot, take up a lot of space, and might only get played with for a few weeks.
Love it! Susanna. Last week's "Toys that Get Played With" posts really support that idea.
I'm wondering how you make your predictions. You're like an oracle. They're so spot on!
Thanks, Andrea!
I have four years of archives. You'd be surprised how predictable this stuff is.
I did all my toy shopping at kohls.com mid-November of last year. You can always use an online coupon (I believed I used an extra 30% off on top of sale price with free shipping). Best thing is, easy store returns and no crowds to deal with.
I have done GREAT at Kohl's so far- got the Little People Lil Movers airplane and school bus for about $9 each. They're $17.99 each at Target!
Do you have any specific "price watch" websites that you recommend? The couple that I have found only list a few stores. Are there any that cover all the big box stores (wal-mart, target, amazon) etc?
i suggest stocking up whenever a good sale is going on throughout the year. especially if you have a multitude of kids to purchase for! set a monetary limit to each gift and list of names, as you purchase items throughout the year, cross off names from the list. this way you wont be hit all at one time...less panic and stress and less money to spend all in one month!
We only give our kids 3 gifts (that's how many baby Jesus got after all) and Santa fills their stockings. It helps take pressure off of us and keeps them from expecting a mountain of presents. We try to give them nice things (although we have given them at least one second hand toy every year). But, we try to keep the season more about the reason and tradition instead of about the greedy gimmies.
What do you suggest for specialty like stores? I have my eye on a couple of toys from Pottery Barn that I think (hope) will be favorites. I'm looking for more wood and less plastic. Any tips? Thanks!
This is probably going to sound kinda Grinchy, but here goes.
My son turns 1 on December 20. Wow! So, with a birthday so close to Christmas, we're definitely going to downplay Christmas this year (and probably the ones that follow) just to keep the holiday focused on Jesus.
That said, since my son is so young (and is the only grandchild on both sides...) my husband and I aren't going to get him any toys for Christmas this year.
We figure he'll get plenty from relatives, and he won't know. Then, in the spring (or sometime after Christmas) if he still *needs* some sort of toy, we'll go get it.
He's easily overwhelmed by having too many toys out at once.
When he's two, we'll get him things, but I do think we'll keep it simple.
Like Kacie, we too didn't get any toys for our 1st daughter...she got enough from everyone else in the family. We did get her a Christmas book, which we try to do every year for the girls.
Kids do have too much!
I find that Kohl's toy deals on Black Friday are pretty hard to beat. Especially if you have a 15-30% off coupon. They also will have the spend $50, get $10 Kohl's cash deal.
I have picked up toys on sale or clearance all year. My best buy was a LPS set for only $11 at Kmart, down from $42.
Also, check out the game sale at TRU. With the sale, rebate and gift card, you can get games for pretty cheap!
I struggle with my toy philosophy for my son.
The wood toys, "unusual" brand (like Selecta, Spiel, etc.) are not on sale or available thrift NEARLY as often as stuff found in every box store.
And their prices seem to be significantly higher than the "retail" price of equivalent plastic-ized toys.
But... they call to me anyway.
I do see some good deals, but nothing that I would go crazy or get up early for this year... last year was my 1st black friday shopping and I felt like things got cheaper closer to christmas... I also felt afterward that I was only buying items because they were a good deal, and in my daughters age range.. and not because I would nessesarily pick them out myself. I am trying to avoid that this year! I have a list for her, and I am sticking to it!
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