Each year I do the shopping for our annual toy drive. The toys are donated to Achieving Greatness and they are given out the Saturday before Christmas. When I go shopping I try to buy items that I think the kids will enjoy and be happy to receive. I know they want high-end items, but I want them to have items that stimulate learning.
This year the prices seemed to be quite high. I had a budget of $300 and if I was not careful I could have blown the entire budget on a few items. As I was shopping I was watching parents shop for their children. Their carts were full and I’m sure they buy items like this more than once a year. These did not look like wealthy people. I’m wondering if there are places to buy gently used toys or where you can do a toy exchange. I took a quick look on the Internet and found the stores Once Upon A Child and GameStop. There were several other choices including eBay. This time of the year, when I have been at the local thrift store, I’ve seen parents buying toys there. If the toys are clean and in good condition, why not? Why spend so much money on something that will be soon tossed aside? If your kids or grandkids have an overabundance of toys when you give them new ones they should be asked to donate some of their old toys. My niece has used this method and it teaches the child how to give.
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