toy-buying addiction

[crunchy_mommy]

I had no problem not buying DS toys for his first 1.5 years -- he had no interest in them! I got a couple things on Freecycle & he never touched them, and I bought him only one small toy his whole first year.

Fast forward to ~16-17mos old, and suddenly DS ENJOYED toys! (He's 19 mos now... he still doesn't play for more than 5 minutes or so but he enjoys those 5 minutes!!) I think it helped that we purged all the cheap crappy toys & mostly have nice quality, creative toys now.

So I'm always in thrift stores & discount stores because there are a few specific (non-toy) items I've been on the lookout for. And of course I can't help but look at the toys while I'm there... AND I CAN'T STOP BUYING THEM!! I'm not usually an impulsive spender but when I see an inexpensive quality wood toy (i.e. a $95 block set for $6) it's just hard to resist -- especially since it won't be there if I 'go home & think about it' first. Plus I've sold hundreds of dollars worth of the cheap crappy toys on craigslist, so I guess I feel the need to replace it all???

And the other problem I have is, I don't know what he'll like in a few months vs. what's better to let him have now. I could save some of my purchases for Christmas (we'll probably do 1-3 main gifts plus we do a 12 Days of Christmas stocking, 12 small inexpensive items). So I just picked up these awesome little wooden toy animals that bend. I know he'll love him, he's totally into animals right now but only has 1 or 2 that actually are broken pieces off another toy. So do I save them for Christmas? What if he's not into animals anymore in a few months????

Anyone else have a toy-buying addiction???? I've been trying so hard to simplify but it's not working out in the toy dept.!!

[ellemenope]

I am not a toy-addict. No. I am a minimalist. But, I have really high standards for toys. I only buy toys that will last for generations and toys that I would want to actually keep that long. I am a toy snob . We also only give DD a toy on holidays.

I would give the blocks to him for Halloween in exchange for his candy (if you celebrate this) and one animal a day for the 12 days of Christmas.

ETA: I am jealous of your awesome find. I think we have spent 200 dollars so far on blocks.

[crunchy_mommy]

I think part of the problem is I hated all the toys he had before. I didn't know I could find the types of toys I've been finding, at prices I can afford, so it's like I'm making up for lost time. I feel like a lunatic though... My DH is always like, MORE toys?!?!?!

Oh yes the blocks are beautiful, I knew they were a great find but I was shocked to see the $95 retail price when I looked them up online later! I already gave him the blocks... and one of the animals... But I am going to try to save the other animals for his Christmas stocking. Good idea on the Halloween thing, we don't do trick-or-treating (I guess we don't celebrate Halloween at all really) but maybe next year if he asks...

I always had that same mentality and only gave DS toys on birthday/holidays too, actually I didn't give him anything for his 1st birthday (well except a little birthday party, but I didn't give him actual gifts) so I don't know what has come over me.

[Nicole730]

I would probably give him the toys now. It's not like he knows you are giving him toys now, you know? He probably won't be looking forward to Christmas this year because he doesn't get it yet.

I am like that with good quality wooden toys too. And certain brands of clothing. If I find a good brand of jeans for my son and they are $1, I have to buy them. Even if he already has 10 pairs. I cannot pass up a good deal - and by not passing up a good deal, I'm sure I've spent way more than I need to. Oh, and TCP sleepers, if I find one of those used in good condition, I have to buy it. No matter what size, in fact, I recently bought at 0-3 month one and my daughter is 6 months. (sorry for the hijack)

[physmom]

Yep... me too. Although, DD has been interested in toys since... birth? I don't know, she really likes playing. That and books. I CAN'T go to a book store. DH bought me a kindle this past year for Christmas and I don't even want to think about how many books I got since then and I'm just as bad for DD. I just picked her up this book last week: http://www.childtrek.com/magnet-toys...gnet-book.html because I saw it half off at a toy store.

But for toys... well, I LOVE pretend play toys and DD's got a number of outfits for her doll. I pretty much never buy new/full price but try and get it on sale or used. I had to make myself put back the cutest vintage dress ever for her doll because even on sale it was pricey. I'm also guilty of checking craigslist often. However, now I need to put a lot of toys up there that she's grown out of/never uses/ or I hate.

We are still on the lookout for a balance bike for her. She's INSANE about bikes and has been bothering us for months. We finally had found the perfect one and when we went back to the store they were sold out!

ETA: we normally give her the toys right away unless we bought them specifically for a plane ride. The one exception was this doll: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html...t_adv_XSG10001, which I had been drolling over FOREVER and then I found it for less than 20 EUR at a store in Germany. We've stored that away for DD'S 2nd birthday (although she's caught a few glimpses of it and has gone insane asking for us to open it ) because DD's drawn all over her current cheaper doll and DH has chewed on the hands and feet of it.

[OkiMom]

When it comes to thrift store/flea markets I do tend to do some impluse buys when I know its something they will like. Its usually something Ive been looking for though. Like once i got a large set of blocks for 2.00, they love blocks and my oldest had been asking for more so she could build really big castles with them. Another time we had been looking for a rocking horse for my youngest for months but couldn't find one that was within budget and nice. At the thrift store they had a rocking dragon my youngest fell in love with that was 5.00 and 50% off so I got it for 2.50. I was going to save it for her birthday but she loved it so much I didn't have the heart to take it away.
The one thing that saves me is I don't do impluse buys all the time. Usually when I buy something its something Ive been looking for. If I haven't been looking for it I try not to get it. Generally i have a list of what Id like to get the girls and gift ideas that I look for. I also only go to thrift stores/flea markets maybe once a month, saves us from getting a little at a time and not realizing how much it equals. I just wish they didn't have puzzles and small stuffed animals right were the kids could get into them, then I feel bad when I tell them to put it back and if its cheap enough a lot of the time I say "sure you can have it".
I do have a book thing though. The thrift store i go to charges .25 cents per book and first saturdays at 50% off days so I go and get a bunch of books first Saturdays. I do try to be picky, I only get ones Im sure my girls will love and I make sure they are in really good condition before I get them. I keep wishing I was near a good library though so I could get away with having less kids books at home. I love books (so do my girls) but they do make a mess when the baby gets into them.