Ok so you’ve got your list keeping sorted thanks to last weeks post and reader suggestions… now it is time to figure out exactly what you’ll buy, and buy it!
I have a goal; to purchase all our Christmas gifts before December 1st.
I don’t like heading to the major shopping centres at the best of times, but I loathe the chaos that December brings to these places, so I’d much rather just stay away.
But since it is already November I need to get a move on if I am going to meet my goal this year.
So, what to buy the kids!?!?!
Our kids already have lots of cool toys, and I am determined not to add more ‘stuff’ to our house just for the sake of getting them something for Christmas. So I have a few main rules when it comes to buying for my kids…
Toys need to be ‘open ended’ – that is, they need to be able to used in lots of different ways, more than once.
Toys need to add to something we already have rather than making a new collection – so more Lego or more fairy figurines or more outside equipment or more art materials.
We’ll also fill their stockings with things they need like socks and summer clothes and books, lots of books.
I’ve already ordered some gifts from our preschool’s fundraising toy catalog. I love shopping from the comfort of my pajamas and having the items delivered to me, and it’s a bonus when it also helps our preschool get some toys and equipment too.
My passion for pajama shopping also means I shop online at lot at this time of year. There are a few sites that I’ve purchased from in the past and really like…
Entropy – this site has a fabulous range and great service. We really like their Gouache Paint Colour Cakes and their scrunch buckets, and this year I’m thinking of buying Morgan a castle!
Eco Toys – If you are after gifts that are eco friendly and ethically made I recommend Eco Toys. We really like their wooden birthday cake, and their beautiful natural wood baby rattles, and I’m thinking of buy these Gnome Blocks for Noah this year. You can also shop at Eco Toys real life shop at 651 Burwood Rd Hawthorn East Melbourne
Itty Bitty Greenie – Another lovely Aussie online store with eco friendly products. We love their Plan Toys Fruit Set and I’m thinking of buying the MakeDo Free Play set for the girls.
You can find more of the things we’ve either bought our kids in the past and loved, or things we are thinking about buying our kids on my Christmas Gifts For Kids pinterest board.
So how do you tackle the shopping?
Got any great tips on how to avoid the chaos at the shopping centres?
Can you reccomend a great online store to buy from?
Share your gift ideas, what are your kids getting this year?
[email protected] Little Bookcase says
My plan was also to do some Christmas shopping before December (before Baby #2 arrives). I tried doing a bit of shopping last week and I was exhausted after 10 minutes. Thanks for the online store suggestions.
My daughter has asked for a trampoline (I’m leaving that one up to hubby to sort out), which doesn’t leave a lot of cash for other bits and pieces.
Although I’m trying to convince hubby to let me buy the following items (or at least some of them):
– A keyboard (Cam is just so musical at the moment. There is never a time when she is not singing and/or dancing)
– A board game (I like My First Guess Who), but I also love what Global Kids Oz have available.
-A couple of books (of course)
-A personalised backpack (she starts kinder next year)
– Some post-it notes, pens, stickers etc.
That’s too much isn’t it?
[email protected] says
I normally buy for the Munchkin during the year as I see things, but I haven’t this year – only 1 book purchased so far. Amazingly, there will be no Lego this year (he got about 10kg of used bulk Lego for his birthday, when we had a Lego party). His Hobbit sword is on order, and the rest I am going to pick up at markets (if I get to leave my stall for 5 minutes). I’m also seriously considering making a “gift register” list so that WE don’t have to buy him much, and can make suggestions to grandparents, aunties, uncles etc. He doesn’t want or need a lot, and I really don’t want to fill up our house with junk.
leah says
I am commenting on all your xmas posts hehehehehe :) i love xmas!!
I am giving entropy a go this year. I am also going to hit up the book depository pretty heavily.
I’ve found that the skateboard I had planned for A is not at any nearby rebel sports but postage is only $5.75, which is well worth saving me the petrol and effort and coffee I’d inevitably buy.
my hot tip is to join the facebook pages of major retailers with online stores, to catch their free shipping deals and other offers. which reminds me – should go see if rebel sport has a page even though it’s cheap postage already. i have had free shipping from sportsgirl with a freebie also, was an ace makeup case, and some cosmetics, so I got more than I would have in the shop.
kate says
ooh sportsgirl- nice, am off to FB friend them :-)
Marita says
I did a fair bit of shopping through the parentdirect.com.au and one of the other toy catalogues that came home from school. Prices were about the same as in the shops but it all got delivered to my house within the week and delivery cost was only around $5. Best of all school got 20% of my shop.
kate says
I am done for the kids, i like to be organised by the end of October. Am super organised this year, hubby has annual leave booked on 11 december so we can wrap and stash the gifts ready for Christmas night! I have found a couple of great online shops ‘dreamtime nightlights’ and ‘name your dummy’ who both make great customised gear!
Jode says
Thanks for the online store links…i am doing my gift shopping more and more this way…especially since the twins came along! I am having trouble working out what to buy them as i don’t always want to buy 2 of everything as they have different tastes….but when i don’t there is so much fighting!!Any tips?
katef says
We tend to buy our girls similar but not the same things… but then our girls are very very alike and often ask for the exact same things without knowing the other has asked for it.
But we stick with things like an art/craft kit each (making sure the kit has enough to make two of things so they can share), a Sylvanian family set each, and Schleich fairy/elf each…. but this year they are getting new bikes and those are exactly the same which is going to cause some issues!
Nathalie Brown says
Thanks for this fab list, all my shopping is being done online this years I can’t drive for a while xx
Maxabella says
You said the ‘c’ word already!?!?! x
Stacy Menz says
Great post! I love open-ended toys but I think almost any toy can be used in multiple ways when kids (and maybe parents) get their imaginations involved!
cass says
For the en masse preschool gifts for my 3.5yr old’s class I have drawn up some big bold figures, photocopied them, then I bind them between some cardboard with a hole punch and ribbon. Next I raid my fabric stash for all the little scraps in the scrap basket, pop them into a small zip lock bag and staple it to the inside of the ‘book’. Voila! It’s a colouring book with a difference – gluing fabric ‘clothes’ on too. I’ve done it before with my DD when she was in preschool and it was a total hit.
As for good online stores, I go to the real life Flying Penguin store in Newtown – http://store.flyingpenguin.com.au/ – they are very VERY eco-conscious, everythign in there is examined by the owners for environmental credentials. Great store.