Do you buy toys throughout the year?

[Caspianberg]

I think we have been pretty good with not going over the top with Ds toys and things so far. He’s almost 2.

I just bought him a few books and a tool set as we are in the middle of major renovations and he keeps wanting the actual tools, and I’m bored of some books so need some new bedtime reading for him ( and me!)

My mother has told me that’s appalling, he shouldn’t get anything until his birthday etc.

Isn’t it better he just gets a couple of main things for birthdays and Christmas he wants, and then other bits throughout the year?

As an adult, dh and I don’t wait for every item we want until Xmas . Ie I would just buy a kindle book now.

I used to top Dds toys up quarterly, DDs birthday is in September so it's 3 months till Christmas, 3 months untill Spring and and another 3 until the summer. Spring and summer would be a focus on outdoor toys, and her birthday and christmas indoorsy ones and crafty things.

Books we used the library as they go through so many at that age but you've said that isn't an option. I also used to get books from the book people website as they did cheap bundles but I'm not sure they are trading anymore. A big highlight for me growing up was my dad used to go out and buy a huge box of second hand books and I loved going through them, some of them were quite old and not always to my taste but the lucky dip part of it was exciting.

We do the same as you @Caspianberg 😊 my DS is only 15 months but I’ll continue doing the same for as long as it works.
DS has a November birthday so if he only got for birthdays and Christmas he’d be overwhelmed with stuff then be bored of it by spring/summer or have grown out of it. For his birthday and Christmas he got a few bits that were too old for him from family members so I’ve popped them away too and will bring them out when they’re developmentally appropriate.
They learn such a lot through play and I think it’s important to take each developmental window as it comes.
At his toddlers group he was obsessed with the toy kitchen so we got him one for Christmas as a “big” gift.

My parents have funny opinions on some of my parenting choices too 🤷🏻‍♀️ My own mum and my MIL were very puzzled as to why I’d bought my son a doll 🙄🤣

I buy through the year sometimes may be something small for like a tenner or a large wooden frame for garden. As what's the point in having a garden toy for Xmas.

When dd was younger I'd buy something almost weekly! It was nuts.
Then learned that she just had too much and it was over whelming.

So now it's occasional. Sometimes like a barbie like this week.

Until now I hadnt really thought about it much. But like you say, if he needs some
Crayons and pens now, it’s slightly bonkers to wait several months just out of principle when he could be getting use out of them

My DC are 2 and 5, I buy toys throughout the year (and just one couple of things for birthdays and Christmas). At their ages I think their interests and abilities change so quickly that it is better to buy things as and when.

Grief, bet your Mum’s fun at parties - imagine begrudging a small child some toys and books!

@Caspianberg

Until now I hadnt really thought about it much. But like you say, if he needs some Crayons and pens now, it’s slightly bonkers to wait several months just out of principle when he could be getting use out of them

Consumables get replaced when needed. So pens, glue, arts and crafts materials etc. Books I also have less of an issue buying in between but no longer go ott! But that said I buy Christmas presents, plus hold back a couple for New Year. Then there's a small gift at Valentines and again at Easter. Then birthday. Plus before we go away on holiday I'd buy a couple of new little things to entertain whilst away. Though I appreciate some people don't do this, but for me it means that I also don't get the continual requests for "things" that many other parents get.

Generally I tend to get toys at birthdays/Christmas, but things like books and art supplies get replenished as needed. We’re a cycling family so bikes get replaced as they’re outgrown rather than waiting for a birthday. As DD1’s birthday is close to Christmas, we might get outdoor toys (e.g a paddling pool or beach toys) at the start of summer so she’ll actually have a chance to use them when it’s sunny. Looking at it written down, that’s actually a fair few times per year!

@CoffeeWithMyOxygen - she’s definitely erm ‘difficult’.

Either way, I’m sure Ds will be delighted with his tools when they arrive. Does anyone have any good recommendations for toy ‘tape measures’? He doesn’t like the fabric loose type, but I’m afraid slightly he will hurt himself with the 5m Stanley professional real one when it pings back. Ideally something that retracts still

Yep i buy her the odd small treat, maybe a Barbie outfit/small Polly Pocket.
Always happy to buy books, she loved stories and likes trying to read them herself

@Caspianberg we have an early learning centre tape measure. It’s very good, you can pull it out and then have to wind it back with a handle in to retract.