Affording Toys for the Holidaysby Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 29 Oct 2009 09:03 AM If you are having a lean year, like many of us, you might have started getting concerned about the holidays and how you will be able to afford getting toys and other gifts for your children. Yes, we all know the real meaning of the holidays does not involve material gifts, but what parent doesn't want the pleasure of giving toys to their children? This will be a two part series on affording toys for the holidays. As I look around our living room, which has been turned into a playroom for the kids, I feel blessed that we are able to provide play things for the kids. At the same time, it is hard for me to pick out toys that we actually purchased new. About 90 percent of the items that we own, including toys, are second hand. Second hand does not have to be dirty words. You can get lovely, expensive, educational and fun toys that way. Second hand does not have to mean broken, either, although you may run into some of that. Of course, you can get new toys for less, too, if you know the strategies. Here are my favorite ways to get free or low cost toys. Your toys will "over floweth," so don't forget to share your bounty with others this holiday season. Promotions Carefully follow the store promotions and available coupon codes to get the best deals. I recently blogged about getting games and puzzles for buy one get one free. Some toy stores and mart stores are offering printable coupons and coupons in magazines and flyers that are good for dollars off of toys. Thrift stores There are usually a wealth of toys at local thrift stores starting in October and continuing into early January, as families clean out their toys to make room for the new ones coming in from the holidays. Check back to these stores on different days and at different times to get the best selection. Last year, we got my daughter a bike this way. Click here for more articles by Mary Ann Romans. Home Heating Costs: Have You Done the Snow Test? Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantfrugal tags User Comments Memartha (306) 29 Oct 2009 03:30 PMIn my part of the country, Pittsburgh PA, The Salvation Army offers a free toy program for qualified parents, the working poor, and those at or below the poverty level. You might want to call your local Salvation Army to see if they are doing the same. Here, parents register their children and they are placed on an "Angel Tree" for people to purchase age-appropriate toys. They are distributed the week before Christmas.  Michele Cheplic (37339) 31 Oct 2009 05:42 AMI just heard that thrift stores are cutting back on stocking toys this season b/c of the government's crack down on lead and other harmful chemicals found in children's books (the ink) and plastic toys. Still, you have some great tips here!  Mary Ann Romans (26876) 02 Nov 2009 02:56 PMMemartha, I didn't know about the free toy program. That is a great avenue for parents. Michele, Our local thrift stores just have signs saying that they so their best to provide safe toys. I'll have to call around and find out if they will be cutting back. Community Tags christmas, frugal living, toys Discuss this article
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