| Christmas is fast approaching and as parents | | | | sweets. |
| you will be starting the annual round of | | | | |
| shopping searching for the latest gadgets and | | | | For other relatives and friends you can cut |
| electronic toys, Christmas gifts seem to get | | | | costs and also get the children involved in |
| more expensive each year. Understandably, | | | | making gifts such as mince pies, sweets, |
| parents want to give their children the best | | | | biscuits etc and packing them in pretty boxes |
| they can afford. But, there has to be a | | | | or bags tied with ribbons. After all, it's |
| limit. Set yourself a budget and stick to | | | | the thought that counts - not the cost! |
| it. I know that is easier said than done - | | | | |
| when you are faced with the all too familiar | | | | Christmas Shopping |
| longing pleas from young children and the | | | | |
| emotional drive of a unique baby gift. | | | | Christmas gift shopping can be a nightmare |
| | | | unless you are well organized. Take some time |
| Children don't need lots of money spent on | | | | out to plan things before you leave home. If |
| them. You don't need to go deep in debt - | | | | you plan your trip wisely, it is possible to |
| there are other ways to cope and unique | | | | do most of your shopping all in a day. |
| Christmas gifts need not cost a great deal | | | | Remember personalised gifts are not just for |
| whilst at the same time they will be | | | | the children, adults appreciate them as well. |
| treasured and last a lot longer than many | | | | |
| gifts bought at this time of the year. . | | | | · Make a list of all the people you need |
| | | | to buy presents for. |
| If children are old enough to write a list | | | | |
| for Santa - ask them to put items in order of | | | | · Decide how much you want to spend on |
| preference and, depending on price and your | | | | each person |
| budget, pick from the list to suit your | | | | |
| pocket. If your child is under 4 they aren't | | | | · Think of at least two gift ideas for |
| yet aware of the monetary value of things and | | | | each person. |
| you can get away with wrapping up some old | | | | |
| toys which have been pushed to the back of a | | | | · Get your Mum or Partner to baby-sit - |
| cupboard and forgotten about. A lot of young | | | | this is one trip you need to do without kids |
| children have more fun with the wrapping | | | | in tow. (Although another adult would be |
| paper! | | | | handy to help carry some bags) |
| | | | |
| Another source of toys and gifts can be found | | | | · Decide where you are going to shop and |
| in Charity Shops or car boot sales. I know | | | | plan your route between department stores and |
| from my own experience that you can pick up | | | | shops where you will be able to buy the bulk |
| some decent stuff. Lots of children grow out | | | | of your presents - leaving the heaviest gifts |
| of their toys or have too many, their parents | | | | till last! |
| give them away to Charity Shops. They feel | | | | |
| good because they are helping out a charity | | | | · Don't waste your time comparing - |
| and you feel good as you too are helping out | | | | browsing isn't practical at this time of |
| the charity by buying from them and in turn | | | | year. Go for the first one that fits the |
| your child is happy as they get new toys. | | | | bill. |
| Everyone's a winner! Charity shops are also | | | | |
| an excellent source of books for children at | | | | · If you have access to the Internet you |
| bargain prices. | | | | can save a lot of hassle and time by doing |
| | | | some of your shopping online. |
| Car Boot Sales can still be found - lots of | | | | |
| towns have indoor sales at this time of year. | | | | · Keep a note of everything you spend as |
| People make use of them to have a clear out | | | | it is so easy to run your Credit Card bill |
| before Christmas and you can usually find | | | | up. It is not like spending cash - you can |
| some good bargains if you go early. Please be | | | | get carried away far too easily. Think before |
| sensible and remember to check for small or | | | | you spend. |
| loose parts and check the toy is suitable for | | | | |
| the age of your child. | | | | Get Your Wrapping Organised |
| | | | |
| With older children, tell them they have a | | | | · Sort out all your presents into piles |
| limited budget for their main present - say | | | | for each person and then use one kind of |
| £50 - so they know to choose an item under | | | | paper for each person, that way family |
| that price. If they really, really want | | | | members can easily spot their gifts under the |
| something more expensive, encourage them to | | | | tree. |
| contribute towards it from their savings. | | | | |
| Alternatively, you could ask other family | | | | · Write out all your gift tags before you |
| members to put together to buy a bigger | | | | start. |
| present. | | | | |
| | | | · Any tubes or bottles can be wrapped |
| In an ideal world you should start gathering | | | | cracker style - it looks great and saves on |
| stocking fillers early - like in the January | | | | fiddly folding. |
| sales! All through the year stock up on | | | | |
| goodies like chocolate, biscuits and booze. | | | | · If you have any leftover fabric you can |
| Keep an eye out for buy one get one free | | | | use it to wrap presents instead of paper and |
| offers and use one now and put the other away | | | | tie together with ribbon or curtain ties. |
| (remember to check the sell-by dates). Shops | | | | |
| have sales all year round so keep an eye out | | | | Shopping Online |
| for a bargain. | | | | |
| | | | The Internet can provide a solution to the |
| But now that Christmas is approaching, try | | | | perennial problem of Christmas shopping |
| shopping at the bargain supermarkets with a | | | | especially when you want that something |
| more limited range - if they don't stock it | | | | special - you can find personalised gift |
| you won't be tempted. | | | | ideas by simply typing in 'personalised gift' |
| | | | (without the quote marks) into your search |
| Get organized, that way you can avoid | | | | engine. |
| last-minute panic buying. If you plan ahead | | | | |
| you'll also be able to give yourself more | | | | No queuing, no crowds, no wasted time looking |
| time to make things at home, such as mince | | | | for parking spaces. In fact, no hassle at |
| pies, Christmas cake, biscuits, sweets. It | | | | all. A lot of shopping can be done over a |
| is a great way to include the children - they | | | | cup of coffee in comfort without leaving the |
| will love getting involved with helping by | | | | warmth of your living room. Much better! |
| doing little tasks such as cutting out | | | | |
| different shaped lids for the mince pies | | | | Some Christmas gifts that can be personalised |
| using pastry cutters. You can also get the | | | | include: |
| children involved in making decorations and | | | | |
| cards. | | | | Pendulum Clocks; Height Charts; Coat pegs; |
| | | | Jewellery Boxes; Rudolph toy; Santa Plate & |
| Just because it's Christmas you don't have to | | | | Letter; Christmas Breakfast Set and many |
| go over the top with sweets and crisps. | | | | more. |
| Encourage children to eat fruit and nuts | | | | |
| which will help to keep sweet cravings at | | | | Christmas is a time of hassle frustration and |
| bay. Try to buy from markets as they are | | | | overspending but with a little bit of |
| generally cheaper than supermarkets. Kids | | | | planning Christmas day should be and can be a |
| will be much calmer if they are not fizzing | | | | day of great joy and happiness. |
| with'E' numbers. They don't need to be full | | | | |
| of crisps and sweets to be happy. Don't feel | | | | Purely tots offers a wide range of unique |
| you are depriving them, as well as keeping | | | | personalised gifts for babies and toddlers. |
| the fruit bowl stocked, there are plenty | | | | Our newsletter is full of ideas, tips and |
| alternatives that you can buy. Try cereal | | | | recipes for the busy parent and doting |
| bars instead of chocolate, or dried fruit | | | | grandparents, aunts and uncles, for your copy |
| packs or yoghurt covered raisins instead of | | | | just send an email to admin@purelytots.co. |