A little down......

[leonie]

My Grandma (who is 99–just bragging) gave me some money to Christmas shop. It was a very generous gift–$500. She has done this for the past few years since she inherited a nice chunk of money.

So, I went out last night to shop. I guess I haven’t shopped for toys lately because the prices of the toys seemed shockingly high. That $500 that seemed like so much is not going to go far for all six kids.

What really shocked me was the price of legos. My older boys had a nice collection, but it’s diminished to almost nothing over the last few years. My 7 year old is really getting into them, so I wanted to build up a nice assortment. But, wow. A decent building set is very expensive…

**Are you finding toys priced exceptionally high? **

Fortunately, my kids don’t get many toys, so they will be excited about getting any.

Oddly, I am thinking that I will probably be spending less on my older kids and more on the younger. The electronic things the older kids would delight in are way out of my price range, so they’ll be getting books, cds, and maybe a couple of board games to share.

 

[whatevergirl]

This is an interesting topic…I have nothing to add, since my kids don’t really want little kid toys anymore…well, dd wants a few things. lol But, I wonder why toys are so expensive? I’ll be interested to see the replies you receive.

That’s awesome that you have such a loving and generous grandmother.

 

[shannyk]

Yay for grandmas! 99!!?? Wow!

Leonie yes, i have found the same thing…I have a bigger budget than usual for the kids (100$ each) and though it would go far until I actually went shopping

BUT here is the good news. EBAY!!! So many people are trying to offload extra stuff right now seemingly due to the current economic situation, that there is quite a lot to pick from at better prices.

My son too, is recently into legos (the duplo size ones) and at Target a bucket of 75 pieces (which won’t make much of anything to build with) is like $30. I got a lot of 1000 pieces for $40 including shipping.

Going shopping for my almost 3 nephew has been CRAZY because the stuff he’s into, Geo Tracks and Thomas sets, like you said for any decent size set is VERY expensive, over $100 easily.

Same thing here the older one is going to be getting CD’s books, and maybe some Rhapsody downloads since she bought herself an MP3 recently (another good $5 ebay deal).

So yes I am finding the same thing and I can relate to that down feeling. I’m sure your kids, who you have raised so well, will appreciate whatever they get:thumbsup:

 

[Cat]

I think that toys are more expensive for the same reasons that many products are more expensive–rising costs for the manufacturers.

In the past, many of the toys Americans buy were made in China. Well, China got into a mess with the lead scare, and I think a lot of American retailers are not shipping China’s toys over here anymore.

So it’s back to American-made toys. Yay!

But…American workers want to be paid more than a quarter a day and a scoop of rice, and there are regulations that stop American company owners from hiring children and working their laborers until they drop.

Oh, well. That means that American kids won’t be getting many toys.

But is that really such a bad thing?

Hopefully you are not like this, but I personally think that Americans over-load their kids with toys. It’s difficult to walk through my SILs house, she has so many toys for her three children. Funny thing–when I babysat a few weeks ago, the kids spent most of the day playing with a length of rope. They had more fun with that cheap rope, and left all the expensive toys on the floor.

I suggest that rather than toys, spend the money on a memory-making expedition. Buy them ice skating lessons or some other kind of lessons, and then take videos to show grandma how much the kids enjoy her present. In many cities, you can still buy Learn To Skate packages for under $50.00.

Take the whole family to a show or sporting event, or skiing for the day, and again, take plenty of pictures.

Have a family party, cater the food so you don’t have to do so much work, and invite everyone, including grandma, and do some games together (we had a huge Guitar Hero thing at our family party last year–almost everyone joined in, including the elderly people).

Buy magazine subscriptions. I know that boys don’t like to read, but there are plenty of magazines featuring more pictures than copy. Cars, building things (my husband gets a magazine that shows plans for various home workshop projects), movies, outdoor life, fitness (I’m not sure if there is a fitness mag for kids), etc.–it’s always fun to get mail when you’re a kid.

Or–you could divide up the money evenly between all your family members, go to the Mall AFTER Christman, and do a “shopping spree”–they can spend the money on ANYTHING (decent stuff, not sinful things) that they want. Woo hoo! Make sure they spend plenty of time before the spree reading the advertising circulars so that they have some ideas and don’t just buy wildly.

No matter what you do, keep in mind that it pleases your elderly relative to give gifts, and she wants you to use the money gift for your (children’s) pleasure.

 

[puzzleannie]

when we got checks from grandparents, or with checks I give our daughters, the goal was to find a good family gift that all the children could enjoy. Outdoor play sets, basic toys like legos, blocks, kitchen, dollhouse etc that could be enjoyed by all, sports equipment, art supplies, electronics and the like.

Past checks have gone for outdoor play fort (still there 14 yrs later and looks like new; their first video game, dollhouse and dolls (still in use by a new generation), basketball hoop, soccer goals, pitching machine, computer, telescope, used piano (still in use after 25 yrs), play kitchen (still in use, new generation, DD#1 just shipped it to her 1 yr old niece).

I don’t buy anything, let the parents buy it they know exactly what is wanted and needed, and how to get it cheaper, and no charge for shipping. SILs have pleaded “NO large plastic toys, Grandma”

girls tell me not to get legos, play dishes, trucks etc. they get that stuff at garage sales and thrift stores cheaper

 

[kevinsgirl]

If you’re on a relatively tight budget for Christmas gifts, I’d go with garage sales, Craigslist and Ebay for a decent amount of lego stuff–and then get a small, new set with the more recent lego people. I’ve found some good deals on legos used, so rather than spend $80 on a lego castle, maybe buy a $20 new lego set with mainly people and then spend $30 or $40 on a big box of used lego pieces.

Legos really are great, btw–I LOVED them growing up.

 

[Cat]

BTW, did everyone hear that the latest “toy” to be inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame is “the stick?”

No special stick. Just a “stick,” the same kind of stick you pick up in your back yard.

I heard this on the radio, and that very day, when I drove to the school for a volunteer project, I saw two boys walking home playing with…A STICK!

 

[shannyk]

when we got checks from grandparents, or with checks I give our daughters, the goal was to find a good family gift that all the children could enjoy. Outdoor play sets, basic toys like legos, blocks, kitchen, dollhouse etc that could be enjoyed by all, art supplies, electronics and the like.

this is a good idea…if I had that lump of money I might get something like an air hockey table or something…they can all use it. Did this with bithdays rather than getting a bunch of little stuff for each I got them all a trampoline, which they LOVE.

 

[puzzleannie]

Other Grandma got them a mechanical, not electric, air hockey table a few years ago, the one that works for several games, and it is still in constant use, a good investment, but ask the parents before you buy.

 

[leonie]

I’d *love *to get a trampoline. Dh thinks that they are really dangerous, though. Maybe I’ll talk to him about it again.

We have a small house, so I don’t want anything that takes up a lot of space inside.

I like the legos because my guys are engaged with it for long periods of time. But, I’ve never seen them at garage sales or Craig’s list. I’ll check ebay again, but last time I looked, the prices were just as high as buying new.

All the toys in my house could fit in a largish laundry tub, so my kids aren’t overflowing with toys. In fact, I’d like to get some more in hopes that the little guys will stop hanging all over us during our homeschool hours.

I know it won’t kill them not to get several toys for Christmas, but most kids like to some things, right? It seems kind of sad for them to have just one gift.

maybe this is God’s way of keeping me from spoiling them. I am sure that I’d buy way too much if I had unlimited resources.

I also like the idea of a family outing, but I’m not sure the little ones would appreciate no gifts under tree because we are going on a family outing later on.

 

[Appleby]

Spending $500 on toys at a time when people are losing their jobs and homes seems, well, a bit OTT to me.

We looked at the Angel Tree at Sears and saw that everybody wants iPhones, Segways, specific expensive brands of shoes and Nintendo Wii. We think that kids are expecting waaaaaaay too much when the whole world is heading into the tank.

I agree that the best thing you can do with that money is build memories for your children. My Daddy died last month and believe me, not a one of us girls spends any time talking about what he bought us. We are talking about where he took us for Sunday drives, what he told us when we went for walks, the times he read to us from books that turned out not to be nearly as interesting when we read for ourselves (think Princess Bride); and the incredible fun of having our own motel room on vacation and 25 cents to put in the ‘magic fingers’ bed.

Maybe your kids would enjoy buying something for children in shelters who don’t even have a bed to sleep in, or visiting a nursing home or hospice where people never get to go visiting and long for company. When Daddy was in the hospice his favourite visitor was his one-year-old great-grandson, who had just learned to toddle and who always took the grand tour down the hallway (with great-grandmama) to look in the doors and greet everyone with a happy smile, before he came to sit on Grandaddy’s bed and make sunshine for him. The world is full of so many people who would love to see your children and that would give them something to talk about years from now, when the Lego Castle has long been scattered to the winds.

 

[ack]

I’d *love *to get a trampoline. Dh thinks that they are really dangerous, though. Maybe I’ll talk to him about it again.

If you have homeowners insurance, make sure that you check with your insurance company before doing this. Some homeowners insurance companies will cancel your policy if there is a trampoline on your property, and you don’t want to be unpleasantly surprised…

 

[Island_Oak]

…Maybe your kids would enjoy buying something for children in shelters who don’t even have a bed to sleep in, or visiting a nursing home or hospice where people never get to go visiting and long for company… The world is full of so many people who would love to see your children and that would give them something to talk about years from now, when the Lego Castle has long been scattered to the winds.

While the charity angle is not bad in and of itself, it also is NOT what was intended by Granny. Get the kids gifts with the $ and make sure she gets a chance to see them at play in person or in photos you send with a big thank you note. Add some outings/efforts or your own $ to be charitable if you wish, but don’t misappropriate the funds.

And for what it’s worth, I see nothing to be down about. You have been treated to a great windfall from a very generous grandparent. I see nothing but an opportunity for gratitude. Make SURE that is part of this experience for your kids!!

 

[AHapka]

Legos really are great, btw–I LOVED them growing up.

So did I, but I really don’t like some of those Lego sets today.

They are pre-shaped, and there is only one way to correctly put some of them together because the pieces are unique and won’t go together any other way.

It seems to me that takes some of the creativity and imagination out of it. I had a lot of fun making boats out of various regular Legos and floating them. Some of the new boats only go together one way, and that’s it…no creativity or imagination there.

It’s not all bad, but to me it takes away part of the experience.

 

[lenni]

**Are you finding toys priced exceptionally high? **

back when i was a kid, i remember barbie dolls were getting expensive. and also the happy meal at macdonalds was also getting expensive - not that a happy meal is a toy but part of it was…

 

[joamy]

Good thread… . I have a 4 1/2 month old niece and have been racking my brain to figure out what to get her for Christmas… . She is the first and only grandchild on my side and the first (only by a day) grandchild on the other side too - so lots of stuff already.

I’d love to wrap just a really big empty box, cuz she will have more fun playing with the paper anyway. ( I really won’t do that)

I found a huge Raggedy Ann doll that she is going to get, plus a book and some odds and ends. I’m also thinking about a savings bond

 

[VivienneJ]

Spending $500 on toys at a time when people are losing their jobs and homes seems, well, a bit OTT to me.

As I read the OPs statement, the $500 was given to be spent on presents for her grandchildren. As long as Granny still has money for her own living expenses I don’t see this as OTT. As a very new Granny, I know I can afford things for my granddaughter which I could not afford for my own daughters. I enjoy being able to give her what I couldn’t give my own because I had to budget for so many more expenses and was in a very different financial bracket. Also $500 between 6 children is not such a huge amount.

Maybe your kids would enjoy buying something for children in shelters who don’t even have a bed to sleep in, or visiting a nursing home or hospice where people never get to go visiting and long for company. The world is full of so many people who would love to see your children and that would give them something to talk about years from now, when the Lego Castle has long been scattered to the winds.

This is all very commendable, but if I gave either of my children money to spend on my grandchildren and they used it to ‘perform charitable deeds’ I’d be both hurt and angry. I perform my own charitable deeds with my money and that money would have been given to my children in good faith that they would spend it wisely for me, because I was no longer able to go shopping myself.

That said, yes, toys do seem very expensive. I have now started buying ‘bargains’ of good quality toys that I see at reasonable prices and putting them away for when there are children of the right age.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Just a thought- I’m finding toys cheaper online, and I’m looking for the best possible rock-bottom price, live or online, before I purchase. Like the Frugal Zealot, Amy Dacyczyn, I am not above shopping at flea markets and thrift stores for Christmas presents. Some of my best finds have included those doll houses I showed everybody when we were talking about them last year, doll house furniture, another doll house that is bigger and folds to store, LEGO, Barbie clothes including shoes.

I once found a bucket of Legos, unopened, still shrink-wrapped, for $2. I also collected a bunch of pieces of Lego over a year’s time, well over 1,000 pieces, at thrift stores. I sewed a little reg bag, a lot like a Santa sack, in which to store them. Nobody was the wiser. For a group of young nieces (at that time about 8-11), I collected every Nancy Drew, Babysitters’ Club and books of that style in decent shape, again over a year’s time. I had over 150 books. It was the hit of their Christmas, to the point where they STILL talk about it every Christmas, and they are in their early 20s.

We were walking through Goodwill one time, and found a LARGE wooden rocking horse, a huge thing, to the point where a thin adult could ride it. It was a little banged up with nicks and dings, but otherwise in beautiful shape. Daisy pleaded for this as her birthday present. I went back and got it unknown to Daisy, sanded out the dings, painted a new face on it, and “girled” it with ribbon in its mane and tail. She still rides it.

The girls are getting out of the toy stage, although they still love Legos. We are down to 5 presents each, and because they are only 21 months apart, they are getting a lot of Scholastic books, and a MP3 player with a gift card to buy more music.One of them wants a certain journal.The other wants particular sports equipment.

As a complete aside- I guess when we were younger, my parents used to celebrate Christmas a day late, to take advantage of the post-holiday sales. I never even knew they did it until an aunt and uncle told me a few years ago. If I had younger kids, I think I might stretch out the gifts over a few days time, kind of like Hanukkah, and take advantage of those markdowns. I still might do it.

 

[shannyk]

I’d love to get a trampoline. Dh thinks that they are really dangerous, though. Maybe I’ll talk to him about it again.

I thought so too, and for wee ones they are, and if you’re going to misuse them, they can be, but I found a very good quality STURDY one, with the safety net, at Sam’s Club, for about $300.( they do NOT have the same $300 one online just an FYI) Once it was set up I really could see that they have come a long way in making these things more safe. I’m totally comfortable with my 11, 9, and 4 year old using it, supervised, one at a time, and they LOVE IT. Can we say energy outlet

 

[HouseArrest]

I don’t see anything wrong with spending $500 on six kids for Christmas. Especially since you have one basket of toys. They’re going to be sooooo excited! How kind of your Grandmother!

You know what toys I think are expensive - are the ****** toys that will break the day you get them! All those matchbox car tracks and other plastic things at Toys R Us. You know, the toys on the commercials. Although I do think a Lego bucket is a good deal, kids love those. They are on sale at Target on Black Friday for $10 a bucket!

How about crafts? Fill a box with pom poms, glue, scrap fabric, scissors, rick rack trim, glitter (if you can stand it) and the like? If you find a few things you can get for less you can afford a few expensive toys that will last - like Thomas Train and all that. Do you have a TJ Maxx in your area? They have soooo many toys on sale there. Do your kids have sleds? (I don’t know where you live, if it’s in the south ignore that). I just bought 2 there for $6 each.

Good luck! I’ll let you know if I get any more good ideas as I am trying to buy for 7 and keep the spending to a minimum.