Popular mum websites are going into overdrive this week as some of the major Australian department stores outline changes to their popular mid-year toy sales and Christmas lay by conditions.
I've personally never used these sales. My kids are little and I prefer to buy through the year from a variety of sources. I live in a tiny 2 bedroom semi but we still manage to stash enough away in the top of our built ins & at Grandmas to keep the kids happy.
If you're disillusioned with the toy sales this year, the good news is, there are alternatives that may save you money and are more sustainable options.
1. Reevaluate what Christmas looks like
My top tip for saving both money and avoiding over consumption and toys that end up in landfill 3 months after Christmas is to reevaluate how much and what you're giving.
Try resetting the kid's expectations, if they are older you can explain why. If they are little I doubt they'll notice. Many people now ascribe to "Something they want; something they need; something to play with; something to read".
Choose quality over quantity and look for items that can be used in more than one way. For example, play food can be used for shops, cafes, kitchens, healthy food discussions, cutting practice and more. Look critically at toys and decide whether it can be used for multiple purposes. If it can't they kids will get bored in no time and you will have wasted your money. Decide whether that toy is likely to end up in landfill within a short time; if it will, don't buy it.
Think about experience gifts; shows, zoo trips, aquarium, rock climbing, a family camping holiday. The possibilities here are pretty endless. Check sites likely Groupon and Scoopon for cheaper alternatives. Bonus there's no clutter in the house!
2. Shop local and / or support small business
Look for smaller, locally owned retailers and online small businesses. There are loads of great businesses out there owned by work at home mums and dads with old fashioned service and unique quality products. Some of them even offer layby and some have great sustainably made toys.
3. Go handmade
Jump on Pinterest (maybe make a coffee first, it's time wasting at it's best!) and have a go at DIY. In the past we've upcycled a free TV cabinet into a play kitchen, a free vintage gentleman's wardrobe into a dress up cupboard and sewn some basic dress ups.
If DIY doesn't appeal, take a look at Etsy, MadeIt or search on Facebook for small businesses, again you may be supporting work at home parents. There are even groups on Facebook where you can enter a lottery type arrangement called "dipping". You essentially offer to buy a "dip" akin to a lottery ticket to win expensive items for as little as $2. Two that I know of are "We've gone Dippy" and "Handmade Life".
4. Look at non-toy shops for alternatives
Shops like Kathmandu, Australian Geographic, Riot Art, Spotlight and the like often have great clearance sections both online and in store with up to 70-80% off.
Look beyond toys to find gifts the kids might enjoy for longer than the latest toy craze; good quality drink bottles, a sleeping bag, science kit or art materials may just keep them occupied longer.
5. Keep an eye out on your local Facebook buy / swap / sell site, Gumtree, Ebay and even op shops.
I often pick up brand new items for a fraction of the retail price. Just this week I picked up 4 brand new Melissa & Doug puzzles for $5 each (RRP $14.95) from a guy closing down his business.
As my kids are little and don't know the difference, I'm also comfortable giving them 2nd hand toys. Mr 8 months has a huge box of 2nd hand Duplo stashed away for Christmas; it's easily washed, and is a more environmentally sustainable option than buying new plastic toys. He will neither care nor remember that they are not in the original box.
I hope I've inspired you to rethink Christmas a little; I bet your kids will still be thrilled, and your wallet, local businesses and the planet will thank you.
This post is in no way sponsored or endorsed by any of the companies mentioned. These are purely my suggestions.
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