Hacks on how to save money on the most sought-after kids presents this Christmas
If only Father Christmas was real and parents didn't have to fork out a fortune every year...
While it doesn’t get much better than watching children opening their presents on Christmas day, the latest must-have toys can come with a hefty price tag. However, with a bit of forward planning, it’s possible to save money on gifts this Christmas.
One of the simplest ways to save yourself some pennies on must-have kids' toys at any time of the year is to shop around. But don’t worry, as we've done the hard work so you don’t have to. According to John Lewis, one of the most in-demand items this year is the Gabby's Dollhouse Girl Doll which you can pick up for £9.99 from Amazon (free delivery if you already have Prime) or £11.50 from Tesco. While it's not a huge saving, every penny counts especially in December, right?
Furbies are back in fashion in time for Christmas 2023 (Hasbro)Shop around and buy second-hand
Following the success of the Barbie film this summer, the Barbie Convertible Doll Car is also likely to top many children's wish lists. And the good news is, eBay has a used Pink Barbie Convertible 2020 Car and Barbie Doll for sale for £13.20 while the newest version will set you back £34.80 from Amazon. That’s a big price difference if you’re happy to buy second-hand.
The Melissa & Doug Barber Role Play Set also looks like it will be a best-seller this year, but where can you purchase it for less? You could spend £27.99 at WHSmith or £29.99 at Very. Then there’s the Fisher-Price Mix and Learn Music Table which is £38.49 at John Lewis or £55 at Argos, a huge saving of more than £16.
Shop prices 'are yet to peak and will remain high' as inflation hits new heights
This year Furbies are back in fashion again and the Hasbro Furby is on sale at Jarrolds Dept Store for £52 or get the secondhand version for just £15.99 on eBay. Meanwhile, B&M has a deal on at the moment where you can buy two toys for £18 - not all toys are included in the promotion but you could pick up a Chaser Racer Transporter and a Character Junior Laptop for this price which would cost £27 normally saving you £9.
Sites like eBay and Facebook are great for bargains as they are full of people selling gifts they received last year that they haven’t used. Facebook Marketplace is great because it will show you toys that are available nearby, so you won't have to trek to the other side of the country to grab a bargain. Some people even give away toys for free because they are having a clearout.
Last but not least, it's worth considering getting a cashback card to use for your Christmas shopping. Moneyfacts recommends the American Express Platinum Cashback Card where you can earn 5% for three months (up to a maximum of £125), but you will need to pay the balance off in full every month so that you don’t wipe out your cashback earnings with interest charges. See the website for full Terms and Conditions.
You can save a fortune on Christmas stocking fillers (Getty Images)Best shops for stocking fillers
Try Kids Stuff For Less for your stocking fillers - you can buy a for £1.74 instead of the RRP of £3.74 or 48 stick on Christmas tattoos for just £1. There’s something for everyone here including a Barbie Light Up Bouncy Ball for £1.74. It’s free delivery if you spend £70, or £3.99 if you spend less so it might only work out as a saving if you order a few stocking fillers and gifts.
Poundland is usually great for stocking fillers too and it's currently offering 10% off your first online order. How about these touch screen gloves for £1 so kids can use their new phone without their hands getting cold? Or a pack of two Nitro Legends Toy Cars for £1? You could even get a Squeaky Bone Dog Toy for £1 so the pooch doesn’t feel left out on Christmas Day. And this Urban Blazers Pull String Helicopter should keep toddlers busy while you prep the dinner.
Save money on beauty
You can save a fortune this Christmas by shopping around and looking for discount vouchers (Getty Images)Buying for older children can be tricky but if they’ve asked for perfume, you can save a small fortune by shopping around or trying a perfume dupe. Poundland sells some good copies - Lily Petals is a polar copy of Marc Jacobs Daisy, which sells for £59 for 50ml. You can also save money on beauty by buying a beauty calendar - the Boots Macmillan one is £44 and contains £90 worth of products including the Botanics Peaceful Night Pillow Mist Lavender & Sweet Marjoram and a Champneys Moisturising Face Mask. What’s more £2 of every purchase goes to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Look for coupons and discount codes
Once you’ve found the cheapest gifts, it’s always worth doing a quick online search to see if you can find a coupon or discount code for that particular retailer. Mirror Discounts is currently offering 10% off at Smyths and sites like MoneySavingExpert and Voucher Codes are good places to start. You may even be offered a discount if you pop the items in your shopping basket and then abandon it.
Happy shopping!
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
