Top tips for buying the right present for your kids this year
When money is tight it's important to spend what you do have wisely. This may mean spending more time and thought on gift planning than ever before. When you have to make every penny count and want the kids to have a fantastic Christmas you have to be more creative.
Decide what budget you've got and do not spend over this. The first rule of budgeting is to be able to make decisions and stick to them.
Ignore the kids constantly changing wish list. It'll change every week. Don't buy something for Christmas that they're begging for now. They'll have forgotten about it by December so stay focused on picking them the right gifts.
Making a small budget go further is as much about buying something big and bulky for them to unwrap as anything else. If part of your budget has to go on clothing then wrap this up for them to undo too. Make sure they open these before any toys though! It'll add to the suspense of what they're getting too.
Buy them something that they will play with a lot and get a lot of use from. Buying them something that they will quickly get bored with is a waste of money. When you have plenty of cash to fritter away you can afford to make this sort of shopping choice, but on a tight budget you've got to make it a great toy!
Buy something that relatives can buy add-ons for. This is a good way round being skint - and helps relatives who are often stuck for ideas what to get. Give them specific items to get so they don't duplicate - but be aware they might be on a tight budget too.
Buy one big present and a couple of smaller ones. Buying a big mix of sweets can be quite a cheap gift and something they can really enjoy on Christmas day! Don't forget the old traditions of a satsuma in the bottom of a stocking too! You could put some other bits and bobs in the stocking too. Small bits of stationary or cheap toys they'll love playing with.
By spending wisely and thinking carefully about the main gift you can ensure your child still has a great Christmas with some brilliant toys!