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