Aibu toy shortage at Christmas. No money to buy presents early.

[wingingit987]

Hi,

My little boy was 3 a couple of days ago and I'm on mat leave so money is super tight.

I just wondered what I can pick up for a 3 year old for Christmas? That I may be able to squeeze into the budget each month.

Is anyone panicking that there's no drivers to drive the presents to the shops.

There will be presents and toys available somewhere. Possibly some “must have” toys will be scarce or there will be less choice but at three your child won’t exactly have an idea of what this year’s “in” “must have” toy is. They will also have no idea how many presents to expect, so if you get them a packet of felt tips, some new play doh, a football and a few cheap die cast cars from the toy aisle of Tesco he’ll probably be very happy. Don’t panic yet!

Im trying to get a few bits early but to be honest I am being cautious about spending what I dont have.
I have got my 9 year old ds a new bike from a local swap shop it is immaculate and half the cost new.

Keep an eye on charity shops leading up to Christmas - lots of people do clear outs in December so you can get good bargains - I should say, like Rugsofhonour above, we are high earners and usually spend very little on Christmas, way less than many people I know who really can't afford it. As kids get older it's obviously hard to manage their demands but please don't fall into the trap of spending more than you can afford - a stressed out mum will be a lot less fun for them.

Everyone will be having a post lockdown clear out the charity shops will be heaving dont worry

If money is really tight, can you start looking on local Freecycle groups, ebay etc? My little one is nearly 3 and we often pick up things for her in that way.

Are you wanting to do "big" presents? We want to get her a scooter as a main present (currently watching Freecycle etc for one but we'll buy new if needed) but apart from that she'll get some little things like a new colouring book, some play food, some toy cars etc. Her favourite toy last Christmas was a little wind up dinosaur in her stocking so I'm also keeping my eyes open in charity shops for little bits like that. Right now they have no idea about value so I'd say don't build them up to expect loads, just go with little things you can afford and they will enjoy it.

Also look on FB marketplace locally, my friend has picked up an immaculate dolls house with a few accessories and a fire station with fire engines for her son for £10 each. Someone next street over having a clear out as they're extending.

I sold loads of DD's old toys just beore Christmas on Facebook a couple of years ago. I was surprised at how quickly everything was snapped up. So I would look on local Facebook pages, charity shops and Freecycle.

Yes, to what others have said.

A 3yo can have a bag of chocolate coins, a toy car, a packet of Postman Pat pants (that they needed anyway), a new toothbrush in their favourite colour (that they needed anyway), a couple of books from a charity shop, a bendy bit of plastic you have no idea what it's meant to do, a 25p packet of crayons and an apple.
Just wrap it up and act like it's the most amazing present when he opens each thing and he will believe you. He won't notice if things are new or second hand (if mine are anything to go by, then by the time that can spot that, they know that they get better presents if they're second hand).

Don't get caught up in competitive spending.

Mine are teens. A few years ago I sat them down and asked whether they wanted things like toothbrushes still in their stockings or would they rather choose them themselves through the year when they needed them. They all said to continue putting them in the stockings because they liked opening them.
It's at the point they can guess half the presents (they always get a toothbrush, packet of pants, pair of socks, chocolate coins and various other things they need, often for school) and it doesn't stop the excitement when they open them.

This would be the actual last thing I’d worry about tbh !

At 3, he only knows what you give him to be the norm. Charity shops have lovely things if you make it your business to check often.

At 3 my DC got classic things like books, puzzles, dolls, etc. One of the richest families I know always buys their children's gifts second hand when they're little.

As long as they're clean of course.

There is always a shortage at Christmas story out now. The want you to buy now knowing that
A..you will probably give the toys now or at least as soon as your kids find them
B... Will probably buy more/different toys as your kids will have changed their minds by December
C...forgot where you hid the toys...I found a pile of toys I was meant to get when I was 7...I was 15 when I found them

In other words concentrate on getting small things now, just in case, but don't worry too much

DS loves imaginex toys...I hold out till November and Facebook is teaming with people selling parts of cheap!

Once they are wiped over with a antibacterial cloth and wrapped DS7 is always happy to have more figurines. I also wrap them for his stocking so he has no idea they aren't brand new 🤷🏻‍♀️

My son will be three just after Christmas, and all I'll do is one gift (prob £40) and a stocking of Poundland toys and pencils etc.
He's not got a clue, won't remember a thing, no one else (other than his younger twin bro's who will get similar) to compare with, so I honestly think this is more than satisfactory for now.

Please don't stress over things like this at this age, you've got a lot of years to come and three is just too soon.

If I were you I would absolutely agree with the charity shops or Facebook marketplace. I just cleared my house of really good stuff that looks new.

Stuff that's unboxed put a big bow on it.

I personally think it is another marketing strategy.

I have bought a couple of things in the Amazon sale thing and a couple of tops Sunday as they were in the sale- he likes specific brands but is 14 .at 3 most his gifts came from a car boot

A 3 year old would be happy with a bag of chocolate coins. Seriously, don’t fall for the social media trap of thinking you have to shower your children with hundreds of £ worth of christmas presents. Get some toys from a charity shop. At that age anything new is very exciting. Save your money.

Agreed.

The rumours about shortages are to get people buying now and cash flow in. It’s like toilet paper all over again.

We spend perhaps £50 per child at Christmas. Please don’t go overboard or worry that you aren’t doing enough. He will remember the magical lights, cuddles and special Christmas songs more than the ‘latest’ must have toy, I promise you.

@Rugsofhonour

A 3 year old would be happy with a bag of chocolate coins. Seriously, don’t fall for the social media trap of thinking you have to shower your children with hundreds of £ worth of christmas presents. Get some toys from a charity shop. At that age anything new is very exciting. Save your money.

I’m counting down the days until mumsnet is flooded with people asking how much they should spend on christmas. Every year I’m baffled by the amount people spend on kids.

We have a household income of £150k and always spend significantly less on our 4 year old son than everyone else on mumsnet and he has never had a bad birthday or christmas. Last christmas I spent about £30.

Remember they will also get heaps of gifts from friends and family.

I agree with all of this.

The actual presents are such a small part of Christmas enjoyment - especially for a three year old who doesn’t have any expectations. Ultimately children forget most of their presents, but they remember seeing Christmas lights, visiting Santa, making decorations, putting decorations up, buying a tree, Christmas baking, singing carols etc etc.

If you want to get him a 'big' present, go second-hand. There are always people selling play kitchens (often with lots of accessories), dolls houses, scooters, bikes and things like that. He won't care about it not being new when he opens it.

Small things which have been a hit here are slime, funny-shaped cookie cutters (useful for playdoh as well), bath disco lights, a second-hand pirate costume with a foam sword, a kaleidoscope, a frisbee, those water colouring in pads (useful for trips and cafe visits!) and dinosaur wind spinners.

There is no shortage if toys. Perhaps a shortage of BRAND NEW toys.

Get some things in your budget from charity shops or market places.

If you want new, playdoh. You can buy second hand cutters to go with it.

Im looking for games, puzzles and a bike (best thing about second hand is not being precious about scratches!)

He’s THREE.

Charity shops / reselling sites all the way anyway.

Facebook marketplace is brilliant, I could easily afford to buy new things but haven’t bought new toys for well over a year now. What’s the point? It’s absolutely diabolical for the environment and you can save money, win win!

Luckily your child is young enough to not have any expectations or really any idea what is going on. You can get him second hand things and he would be none the wiser. Or large but cheap items like a box full of balloons or a stocking full of little bits and pieces.

Previous posters are right about Facebook marketplace/freecycle/car boot sales that sort of thing too.

Also the article I read about toy shortages said that shops will not be empty, but if your child is after a specific toy then to buy it early if you can. If your child doesn't want a specific toy, then you will be able to find something around Christmas time. And 3 year olds are a really easy age, they like everything.

yes absolutely about not worrying but also have you seen this thread for budget buys? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/4331798-Thread-3-the-one-with-the-dinosaur-fingering?msgid=110231148#110231148