A warm welcome to everyone coming from Moms Favorite Stuff! I hope you’re enjoying the festivities leading up to Toy Tuesday, December 8th.
If you’re just now joining us, we’re having virtual play time (or a blog hop) and sharing our favorite toys, toy trends, and places to buy them for the best bargains of the year.
After my tips on making Christmas Day more fun for everyone,
learn how to enter to win a $250 gift card
AND a $500 in products to your favorite charity or school!
I have 3 boys, two of which are only 22 months apart. There can be some serious competition and disappointment on Christmas morning if I neglect to keep a few things in mind while toy shopping. Therefore, I thought I’d share with you my philosophy on Christmas toy buying which makes Christmas morning more fun for everyone.
The Tip Junkie’s Christmas Toy Philosophy: Limit your gifts to 4-8 (depending on cost) for each child. Make sure there are a variety of good quality toys so nothing breaks and there’s plenty to do throughout Christmas day. This ensures no one is disappointed or is bored an hour after opening presents.
1. First, know what your child wants. I take into consideration my boys’ wish list and their likes and dislikes. You can have the best variety of toys imaginable but if it doesn’t cater to their special interests then it’s still a no-go.
2. Next, I like to make sure my boys each get:
- Something to build
- A video game to play
- A toy for their imagination
- An item to build on whatever they are collecting
- Something to play with outside
- A board game
- A big gift from Santa
Any of these qualities can be combined for one toy. For instance my boys’ favorite Christmas gifts have combined “something to build” with “a toy for their imagination”. Having a wide range of toys expands their uses, creativity, play time, and excitement throughout the day.
Things to Build: Marble Run, K-nex, Bionicles
Favorite Video Games: My Sims Agents, Star Wars Legos, Mario Kart
My Favorite Toys We’ve Collected: Anything Star Wars, Imaginext, Legos
From Santa: Santa gifts are usually large and go for the shock value. I don’t go overboard on price but I do try to make it fun and unique.
Other options to consider:
- Art supplies: to paint, draw, or create. Play-Doh, Pixo’s, and craft kits
- Electronics: MP3 player, DS, radio, spy gear, watch, Funkeys, computer game
Entertaining Toys:
5. I try to keep things fair:
- The same number of gifts or price range for each child.
- Size matters with boys! So I make sure each kiddo has the same number of “large” wrapped gifts. Even if I have to put a toy inside a larger box. {{evil laugh}}
- Same number of items in stocking and I try to have larger items next to stocking for shock value when the boys come down the stairs.
So what’s your toy buying philosophy? Feel free to leave a comment which automatically enters you to win a $250 gift card. Details below.
Huge thanks to Bill Me Later for organizing such an informative and fun play time. Feel free to check out all the blogs participating and their favorite toys and money saving deals. They’re worth the read.
What is Toy Tuesday?
Toy Tuesday will occur on December 8th and is a one day sale event held over on Bill Me Later’s website. You’ll find all kinds of amazing deals to wrap up all your holiday shopping from these stores:
| Toys R Us | Walmart.com |
| eToys | Mercantila (trampolines) |
| FAO Schwarz | Drugstore.com |
| Little Tikes | HP.com |
| Overstock.com | MacMall |
| Step 2 | and more… |
Bill Me Later wants to get YOUR attention and to do so they’ve not only come up with a really fun campaign that introduces you to some new bloggers and new toys, but they are putting up some serious CASH and discounts!
Bill Me Later has made it really easy to enter to win a $250 gift card AND $500 in products to the winners favorite charity or school. They aren’t messing around and are taking good care of everyone involved. They’re buying some toys from Wal-Mart for my boys AND they’re paying YOU some hard core cash to get your attention.
A $250 gift certificate to FAO Schwarz and a
$500 product donation to the school or charity of winners choice.
Share what toys you are most excited about giving this year
or your toy buying philosophy in the comments.
This giveaway will only last until midnight Saturday (CST).
P.S. Toy Junkie’s, tomorrow head on over to Bargain Briana for her toy tips and another $750 in giveaways.
Comments
I am mostly excited that we’ve all scaled way back this year and only purchased the few things the kids really want. I’ve tended to over-buy in the past which has only over-whelmed the kids. I’m excited about giving their gifts this year but happier that we’re not over-extending our wallets!
I’ve got an almost 2 year old and a newborn and since they don’t really care too much about presents right now, I’ll just be making most of their gifts for them. (quiet books, “I”-spy bags, a memory game, etc….) My son will be turning two in January, so I think I’ll just wait to buy him a wooden train set for his birthday.
I’m giving lots of board games this year, hoping families will spend time playing together and having fun.
I am most excited about the Handy Manny Lap top I am give to my 2 yr old grandsone he loves Handy Manny thanks for the great giveaway.
While I don’t have children (yet!), the gifts that I still cherish are the children’s books. I also have a whole collection of Christmas books from over the years too!
My boys are quite old enough for a toy philosophy, but thank you for the future tips!!!
We love to buy the classics and avoid trendy toys that will be “out of style” in a month. : D Thanks for the giveaway!
I try to buy the same number of gifts and spend the same amount for my three sons.
I have a almost 8 year old who LOVES sports! All sports, but especially football! He has been harder to shop for this year, but am so excited to give him a Vikings jersey. He LOVES the Cardinals, but has been following Favre this year. My 3 year old is anything Toy Story, Cars, or Thomas the Train. He is so animated and will be magical to watch his face open his Toy Story “action figures”! He will watch the movie and then take the action figures and interact like they do in the movie. It is so much fun to watch! This is going to be a wonderful Christmas! Thanks for the contest! Merry Christmas to you all!
We try to spend the same amount on our three girls. We give each girl three gifts from us. We fill a Santa stocking and then give one big gift to each girl from Santa. Each year we also adopt a Christmas Angel to give gifts too. Our favorite toys this year is the Leap Frog toys.
My boys are still toddlers and are very excited by the little things. My 2 1/2 year old recently discovered trains though and his little brother likes them too. I can’t wait to get him more Thomas Trains. I do have a little story about FAO Schwarz. I have been to NYC and FAO Schwarz once in my life. I was expecting my first son and soooo sick the whole time we were there but we went to that awesome toy store and I bought my son’s very first toy there (a big Christmas bear that has FAO Schwarz on the foot).
I am the most excited to see the gifts that my kids bought for one another. They spent a lot of time thinking about what the other one liked. It is really the first year that they got a chance to buy their own present and I know they are so proud! Merry Christmas!
My kids have too many toys that’s my toy philosophy… This year my sons are after all thing legos!!!
I have a two year old son — so far, our philosophy has been to try to keep the true Christmas spirit alive even in all the chaos and excitement of Christmas morning! He gets to open one present on Christmas Eve (special pajamas to wear that night). Santa always leaves the big items for him with a big red bow on top, never wrapped – Santa’s much to busy to wrap all the presents he has to deliver! We get him the smaller gifts – always at least a book and a special new ornament for the tree next year. Other than that the gifts are usually whatever his current interests are — lots of Yo Gabba Gabba this year, I’m sure!
You have some great tips. I’m not a Grandma yet, but I look forward to buying toys again. Maybe I’ll pick up a few things for the nursery at church this year.
I super excited to give my boys their 1st bikes. They are 4 and 3yrs old and have been asking for them all year. I think it’s special because I didn’t cave in and get them earlier. I’m waiting till Christmas… as a child I loved opening presents that I had been wanting forever!
I’m so glad I checked skiptomylou’s blog. I have been disconnected form the blog world for awhile so it was great to come back and see such a great giveaway!
Merry Christmas!
I love the above philosophy. We try to give what my daughter wants, what I want for her and somethings in between. Her list this year is very mild, and includes art supplies, so how can I say ‘no’ to that?
WOW! What a fantastic giveaway! $500 could buy a lot of toys for a children’s hospital or shelter! This year we are trying to simplify Christmas, not just because the poor economy has forced us to cut our budget, but also because we hope to teach our children that Christmas isn’t just about receiving gifts. Our ‘simplified philosophy’ for purchasing gifts this year is just this… everyone will get a want, a need and a treasure. Thank you for this generous giveaway and for the message that it is better to give than to receive, especially during the holidays.
Hello, I have two kids. They’re 3 year old twins a little boy and a little girl. My son has been wanting one of everything in every commercial he sees, but he’s been asking me for a camera a lot. One of those, i think fisher price kiddie cameras. My daughter has been asking me for barbies, pricess and an e pod, yup an e pod, lol. I still haven’t decided what I’m going to buy them. I do spend the same amount on them and same number of gifts as well.
Thanks….
I super excited to give my boys their 1st bikes. They are 4 and 3yrs old and have been asking for them all year. I think it’s special because I didn’t cave in and get them earlier. I’m waiting till Christmas… as a child I loved opening presents that I had been wanting forever!
And I’m excited to get my daughter (15months old) some little kitchen pots and pans. She loves to help me out in the kitchen. She is so easy to please!
Having 3 kids all under 4yrs old I have to make a list throughout the year of things they have really been wanting, and just stick to that list. If I ever went shopping without a list I’d be in trouble$$!
I’m so glad I checked skiptomylou’s blog. I have been disconnected form the blog world for awhile so it was great to come back and see such a great giveaway!
Merry Christmas!
My husband and I were charmed to see that this year our daughter has two things on her wish list that we desperately wanted (but didn’t get) when we were her age.
We’re so excited to see her open her new kid’s metal detector(my husband’s wish) and Easy Bake oven!
My toy buying philosophy is to try to keep things as equal as possible. And I also don’t like to go overboard. Less is more!!
I only have one kiddo. But we always get her one “big” item, several medium presents, and little (fairly cheap) stocking stuffers. This year her “big” item will be a fish tank (with fish of course)….
I’m most excited about getting my little grandson a Handy Manny Workshop. He has been asking for it for weeks now.
I am mostexcoted about my mama made (sewn) gifts!
I can’t wait to see our 2 1/2 year olds face when she sees her playhouse on Christmas morning. She has been begging for one for months:)
I try to find toys that fun as well as educational and that my child will use for a long time and often.
A Lil Enchanted,
~LaShan~
Love your tips! Tinker toys, Lincoln logs, trains, puzzles & books for boys – I grew up surrounded by boys – brothers, cousins, neighbors. Then I got married and had two of my own. I don’t think I’d know what to get for a little girl! I agree with others above, and you – same # of gifts, same general price range. And I really like the older toys that made children have to think and use their imagination.
That philosophy works on adults, too! My daughter is only 3 and my son is 6 months, so money doesn’t matter, but the number of gifts definitely does!
I got my daughter a furreal cat– I’m excited about her reaction!
Yay! I hope I’m not too late!
I’m so excited for my 3 year-old to really remember all the warm feelings Christmas brings.
Love to get creative with toys. They each get 3 from Santa and love to be surprised. When giving I try to think of something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.
I am very excited to see my daughter’s face when she opens her American Girl Doll, which was generously purchased by “Ms. Clause’s” BFF as a suprise for both daughter and mother!!!
Although I could do a lot more, like you do, I opt for something simple. A wise friend told me what she did for her kids and I’ve followed suit. The kids get 4 gifts: A clothing gift, a gift from mom and dad, a big Santa gift, and a gift relating to their current hobby/sport. Keeps perspective and spending in check.
We make sure there are equal number of toys per kiddo, but not equal amount spent per toy. I tend to spend a little more on my older kids. My 2 year old is happy with a smaller toy whereas my 11 year old gets something a little more elaborate.
Honestly, Everything my kids are getting this year are giveaway wins. I did get excited to win a thomas Dvd my kids were going to be given, but the grandmas ended up getting that! good thing my kids have boy cousins!
anne molino at hotmail dot com
I’m most excited to give my little boy a blanket I’m making him.
I always spend the same amount on my 2 girls, but personalized to their interests and wants. One girls always wanted one or two big items while the other one liked lots of presents so she would pick a lot of little things. They were both happy. Stocking gifts are usually all the same gifts.
My girls are 28 month apart so I know exactly what you mean. You have the same general shopping plan as me. I also have to have something pink or princessish and usally at least one doll each. I love getting Legos or other building toys since thsy play with them so much. Now being girls they are usually building stuff for princesses. Today they built a giant and very tall carriage out of megabloks for their dolls
We try and buy a gift we can all use together as a family. Family time is hard to find and if we can make it easier, it is better.
I just love the look on little faces when they open any gift; the excitement they get from opening a gift I have taken great pains to select is a real joy. My philosophy is – MAKE IT FUN!
I can’t wait for my dd to open her 3 wheeled Princess trike. She’s gonna go crazy!! :)
I try to buy a mix of toys that will let the kids have fun, learn, and encourage family time. Same dollar amounts per child, and if one asks for something really out of the ballpark, it just doesn’t get purchased – it can wait until their birthday.
I guess my case is a little different. I don’t have any children but I do have alot of neices and nephews in my life some of who are half and steps. At this time a grand total of 17 kids. I don’t make a diffence in how the child is related to me. It does not matter that there is not the same “blood”. I give the same amount to each child. It may mean a little less for each one so the money I have will go around.
I used to love buying toys and bought oodles and oodles. Now that we have 3 kids, I’m a little more thoughtful about which toys to buy. I like to buy toys that will: last a long time, encourage creative play, and not take up too much room (unless it’s something really special). I also try to pay attention to how much noise toys make– volume control and on/off switches are a must!
My kids are teenagers now so their “toys” are a lot different and usually more expensive! I am really excited about buying toys for my 2 nephews. One of them loves Legos and I always reminisce when I buy them since I bought so many Legos fore my son when he was a child :)ff
My toy philosophy is basically to make a list of what I will be getting early! This way I won’t start getting too sucked into all the deals and get more then needed. It also helps with saving money.
I am most excited about giving my daughter my old doll house. I am redoing it to make it look new and modern!
We buy or children three gifts and one shock value gift from Santa. Of the three one is always pjs and they can open that on the 24th. We’ve chosen three gifts to represent the three gifts the wise men brought Jesus.
we also go with three gifts- something to play with, something to wear, something to read. Christmas jammies the night before, of course!
We like to give one big gift for our kids, too, and try to make it the Santa gift. We are especially excited about my 12 yr old daughter’s “big” present this year: a digital camera of her own. I think that it will provide endless opportunity for creative growth, analytical experiences, artistic accomplishment, and technical skill in this medium. We scour ads — online and off — and read reviews (expert and novice) of technical equipment we are interested in getting.
My favorites this year are the Lincoln logs for my son, a first baby doll for my youngest and a sewing machine for my older daughter. We try to avoid trendy gifts (especially those things with characters or made from cheap plastic!). We like to get gifts that will last and encourage play and immagination or creativity…..as well as stay on a budget!