Main gift buying - how early is too early?

[WaitingfortheTardis]

Dd would love a Barbie dreamhouse, we've told her it is probably too big, but we actually do want to get one for her as a Christmas surprise as we know she'll love it. I've seen it on offer recently, but it is still August and even for a planner like me it feels really early to be thinking about buying it. On the other hand if I don't buy it there is always the chance it could sell out/go up in price.

What would you do in this case? Will I regret going for it? Have you ever done similar with something your child has wanted, or am I being silly and this is just too early?

It comes down to how likely they are to change their minds!

A secondary worry would be if they are on offer now... are they planning another updated release between now and Christmas?

Thanks @PuttingDownRoots those are good points. Changing her mind is a tiny worry of mine, though I don't think she would. She actually wants an older version so an updated version wouldn't matter too much - unless it looked even better I guess!

I would get it now, I got my first stocking filler present the other day! As long as you've got somewhere safe to hide it.

If its a good price then get it now. Spreads the cost of Christmas, and means you definitely have something she wants. My son has been talking about santa bringing him a new scooter and I know he won't change his mind so I got one on sale a couple of weeks ago. I'm also picking up bits as I see them from now on.

Lol I've already got my DD and husband's main presents stashed away in the loft. If you're sure it's the one she wants I'd just get it now. With the Barbie movie coming out this year I feel like closer to Christmas all Barbie products will have prices hiked and be selling fast.

Thanks everyone, really useful to hear what others have been thinking.

@xyz111 I do have somewhere to hide it, though I'd probably have to unpack it a bit to check it's as should be as it will be too late to return by Christmas.

@Raggeo Glad to hear I'm not the only one considering this, spreading the cost is another good point, especially with everything that's been going on this year.

@VeridicalVagabond Yes that's my worry, it's been so popular and seems to be everywhere so I imagine many young children may be hoping for one this year.

Do you have the patience to resell it in December if she changes her mind?

How susceptible is she to toy advertising and peer influence? The Barbie house is very now, but there will be other hyped things between now and Christmas.

I probably bought my first present for this year's Christmas in January.

I’ve almost finished shopping for my dc. I’d say get it!

Does she mind being f it’s the very latest barbie dream house? I would start looking now on marketplace/gumtree if she didn’t mind and you could probably get a bargain. Might depend whether it’s from Santa or you.

No, it doesn't matter if it's the latest, there's an older one I've seen her gaze at adoringly and she would definitely want it to have a pool and lift. I was looking at some wooden ones by Kidkraft or second hand ones, but although they are lovely and she'd be grateful for any house for her Barbies, I worry it wouldn't be as magical for her.

I have already brought 2 main gifts as they were on offer, and it also let's me relax a little, knowing I've got them and I can concentrate on getting smaller bits ...never too early for Xmas shopping lol...I'm a Xmas fanatic 🤣🤣

Look, year after year the Dreamhouse sells out at Christmas, and little girls don't actually care if that one lampshade is pink or yellow (i.e. whether it's the newest one), they just want a Dreamhouse to put their dolls in and play amazing games. I've had my eye on doll's houses for about two years, after I missed an incredible deal on a cheaper Barbie house a couple of years ago in ASDA and it's never come down in price again. Offers on the Dreamhouse are almost nonexistent, that is to say, they NEVER happen, especially at Christmas. I'd go for it! I'm stockpiling Duplo already for my 3 year old because Smyths had a great offer in July.

Never to early my dd has been on about the Barbie dream house for the past month... I've got a few bits so far I would rather get it early as I have 2 birthdays to get for 5 days b4 Xmas and 5 days after x

A couple of year ago my son wanted a PS5. They were hard to come by. I found one in stock in July and had to have a conversation with him to make sure he was 100% certain he wasn't going to change his mind. My main concern was that when he opened it on Xmas Day, we'd discover a fault and 5 months down the line, the retailer wouldn't help. Anyhow, I got advice online and was told to go for it because of the stock issues and where best to store it. 12 month warranty alleviated some concerns.

DS was thrilled Xmas morning, even though he had seen it sat on top of the wardrobe for 5 months 😆

Thanks everyone for the advice, I've gone for it, it feels really naughty to be doing it so early but I really didn't want to miss out on it!

I think you’ve done the right thing. They’ll be difficult to get hold of nearer to Christmas.

We bought a Thomas track thing for £80 a couple of months ago. It’s now £120, so they may have increased the price only to drop it again closer to the time, but I’m just relieved it’s a job done and out of the way.

Thanks @Nagado , I do feel I've done the right thing in the end, especially as looking today the ones that were available at the cheaper price have sold out and the only others of the same style that I can find are £55 more expensive!

I think you’ve done the right thing OP.

DD1 has asked for the LOL Surprise house of surprises and I noticed on Smyths it was out of stock for home delivery. Seems that they are phasing it out to be replaced with the Fashion House one. So I’m going to go and buy it at the weekend in case they don’t restock that one.

A lot of other places are only selling the Fashion one.

Good for you, I've got a fair few presents already. Playmobil was 25% off site wide a couple of weeks ago so that's one DS main presents done.