How to Buy Bargain Christmas Gifts for Children

Find Inexpensive Quality Children's Presents at Christmas

Oct 13, 2009

Buy Traditional Toys at Christmas, Yorck Project Wikimedia Commons

Christmas gift buying can be stressful and expensive, especially in a recession. But here's some ideas for great fun gifts that won't cost the earth.

Being upfront and telling friends and relatives that this Christmas money is scarce will probably be a relief to everyone. It means mutually agreed limits can be set concerning amounts to be spent on presents for children. In fact, the challenge of buying presents within a limited budget can be fun, putting the shopper in control by looking beyond expensive retail outlets.

Communal Present Buying

It’s only natural that children will want the latest toy fad that they’ve seen at the cinema or on TV, and parents don’t want to disappoint. Older children will often be desperate for sporting equipment, bikes, computer games or music centres. But these are expensive. How about clubbing together with relatives or friends so presents like these are communal gifts? Spreading the cost of the big present is less painful, but ensures the child or teenager won't be disappointed.

For those without a large extended family to help with the communal buying, consider selling the children’s old toys (with their permission of course!) and any unwanted household items. Have a good clear out. Try selling stuff at a boot or yard sale. Here’s a link to local UK boot sales. It's something children would enjoy. E-bay is another outlet, but not as much fun. Remember- one person’s reject is another’s ‘must have’!

Buy Traditional Toys for Children

Old-fashioned games and toys come into their own in a recession. These can still be found in toy stores; they are inexpensive and children love them. They teach social skills, counting and reading, logical thinking and just plain enjoyment! Examples might include:

Chess – even young children can learn.
Draughts – makes a brilliant introduction to chess and is fun in its own right.
Dominoes – encourages children to match numbers.
Card games such as Snap and Happy Families – exciting, develops quick response mechanisms.
Jacks – grab the metal pieces before the bouncy ball hits the floor!
Pick-up-Sticks – a game of skill requiring concentration.
Snakes and Ladders, Ludo, etc. – never fail to impress.
Skipping rope - dance rope and learn rhymes.
Table tennis set – just as much fun as Wii games (and cheaper!).
Dressing up costumes – Superheroes and Superheroines available everywhere at reasonable prices.
Hobbies – stamp albums and a starter pack of foreign stamps are attractive but cheap, as are car and football cards, knitting and sewing sets and paints, brushes, crayons and paper for the budding artist.
A joke set or a beginner's magic kit.

The above list is a small sample of the many inexpensive, traditional gifts that give children pleasure and engage families in communal activities.

Buying Children’s Gifts at Charity Shops and Boot Sales

The variety of good children’s toys that can be found in charity shops and boot sales is astounding. Bags of wooden bricks, train sets, Lego, boxes of mixed cars and lorries, dolls, jigsaw puzzles, Monopoly sets, books, stuffed toys, toy soldiers – the list is endless and the prices are rock-bottom. Do a thorough tour of all the charity shops in the area – careful though, it’s addictive!

At UK charity shops there are strict legal guidelines that are adhered to when selling children’s toys so that customers can buy with confidence. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that all such items should still be carefully examined to ensure they haven't slipped through the net and are safe. If necessary, they can be washed carefully or sterilised in Milton fluid.

Boot sale buys are not so strictly monitored, so care should be taken when buying items – but there are some fantastic bargains. The pleasure a huge box of mixed cars (that only cost £3!) or a Barbie doll's house (a bargain for £5!) can give to a child is priceless.

So, planning for the big present is vital. But pad out this necessary expense with superlative but inexpensive toys and games, beautifully wrapped, for a really creative and stress-free Christmas.