It’s started. I was in our local Spar and there were the selection boxes. I checked my watch, still October, still not even past Halloween. Halloween was supposed to buffer us until the end of October! Holidays are coming, as the song says. This brings up the question most parents dread: when to start Christmas shopping? I know some that have already started, Argos 3 for 2 sales have been on periodically, as have the Smyth’s toy sale (RIP Toys R Us) and so it’s a good opportunity when these sales come along to grab what you can, and what you can afford. Of course, the sensible of us have been saving all year, the less so (me) have not, and so usually it’s just after payday in November is the sweet spot for me. The other issue is, of course, the fickle nature of kids tastes, a month ago Alex and Max gave not 1 jot about Thunderbirds or Paw Patrol, now they are fanatical. – who’s to say what they could be into in 2 months time? It makes timing a crucial element. Final bit for consideration is the actual practicalities of getting to a shop without kids, but this is where online shopping can be a godsend.
So taking all that into consideration, I think the formula is thus:
Money availability + Shops sales (price) – Children’s fickleness x When you can find the time to shop without kids = The perfect time to start shopping
And somewhere in amongst all that is your answer. So, good luck everybody!, and if you do see a good sale on Thunderbird 3 (the red rocket one) please do let me know!
