Versatile toys, gifts bring long-lasting fun
BY BETH ENGELMAN Mommy on a Shoestring December 5, 2011 12:33PM
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Do less, save more
As technology gets better, so does our ability to save money. Check out these websites and apps that help you save time and dollars.
Pricegrabber.com
Daily and weekly deals on new and used items.
Babygizmo.com
Daily deals, coupons and promotions on baby and
toddler products. Offers product reviews and
testimonials from real moms!
Camelcamelcamel.com
Amazon price checker alerts and price history charts help you separate the deals from the duds.
Savvy.com
Monitors the purchases you’ve already made, to
ensure you received the best price. If a price drop occurs, they’ll alert you so you can get a refund. Also monitors items at preferred prices and will notify you if an item reaches your target price.
Bradsdeals.com
Website offers deals and coupons for national brands and retailers.
Article Extras
Updated: January 13, 2012 10:40AM
Stick with tried and true
Remember Furbies? This year’s must-have toy can easily become tomorrow’s heap of junk, which is why Holly Schultz, founder of www.babygizmo.com and mom of three, recommends sticking with tried-and-true toys your kids are sure to enjoy. For little ones, Schultz recommends the LeapFrog Fridge Set and Little Tikes Discover Sounds Kitchen, which are two toys that are loved by children year after year. Another good tip? Read product reviews. Baby Gizmo is one of many sites where real moms review products they actually use. There’s nothing worse than getting a “deal” on an item that doesn’t work or quickly falls apart.
Focus on family fun
When it comes to having fun, Meredith Sinclair is an expert. The mom of two and founder of the popular website www.hoo-dee-hoo.com, recently served as “play ambassador” for the Chicago Toy and Game Fair. Sinclair believes families need to schedule breaks in their day to just have fun. Her motto? “Playtime is vital to our health and well being — not to mention it makes us way less grumpy.” When buying gifts, Sinclair recommends looking for games that are dynamic, intriguing and challenging while still being age appropriate. “You want to make sure your kids are challenged but not frustrated.” Sinclair also looks for high quality games that can be enjoyed by the whole family such as Reverse Charades, Quelf or Q-bits. Not sure what games your kids will like? Do some pre-shopping reconnaissance. Bring your kids to a toy store (such as Marbles the Brain Store) where they encourage their customers to play with the toys. You might be surprised to find which games engage and inspire and which ones don’t make the grade.
Look for versatility
Whether you’re buying a high-priced item or a stocking stuffer you want to get the most bang for your buck, which is why both Schultz and Sinclair feel you need to find products that are multi-functional and versatile. For example, consider buying your favorite newborn an infant swing that can quickly turn into a recliner or a high chair with a few, simple adjustments. Likewise, look for games and toys that can be played in a number of different ways or can be augmented with booster packs and add-ons.
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