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.
On my last toy run I bought puzzles, coloring books, toy instruments, stuffed animals, balls and toy doctor kits. I tried to select items that would spark their creativity or get them up out of their seats. I have a good friend who is a master shopper. Years ago when her children were very young she would buy things for them at deep discount stores and then she would take those items to the department stores’ (when we had department stores Downtown) gift wrap department and have the boxes wrapped in an elaborate fashion. The kids were so excited by the presentation that they did not know or really care where it came from. She always supervised the opening of the gifts to see if she could salvage the ribbons and the boxes to be used for another gift giving experience.
I haven’t mentioned that I was doing my shopping at Walmart; you know while I was there I had to inquire about the Patti Labelle sweet potato pie. They still do not have them in. Doesn’t that seem odd to you? Was this a one-time item, never to appear again? Doesn’t Walmart know that Black people eat sweet potato pies year round?
Back to the toy shopping. Don’t give your kids all that they want; ask that they give up the toys they are no longer playing with to a child less fortunate.
Enjoy your holiday and remember if seeking coverage for next year email me at debbienorrell@aol.com and put “request for coverage” in the subject line.
(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
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