Our older kids (6 and 4) enjoy giving gifts to each other and us for the holiday. Usually these gifts are things found around the house and they are perfect. But this year, we wanted to try something different. They are using their lemonade stand money to buy a few presents. Here is our plan - a guide to holiday shopping FOR KIDS with less than $10:
1. Skip the mall and big-box stores!
2. Local free-sales
Does your town have a local Free-Giving and Buy-Nothing group on Facebook? Most towns do and occasionally families will hold a “free sale” or “free garage sale” - like a garage sale, but everything is free! A good source for free sales are local community groups on social media or posters around town, so keep your eye out!
3. Local Garage Sales
Hitting up local garage sales is the best way to reuse, recycle and upcycle while allowing your kids to participate in the buying/selling process and learning how to budget (hello math and basic economics). Like free-sales, a good source for free sales are local community groups on social media or posters around town.
4. Holiday Boutiques, Bazars, Etc.
Support local! These local events are usually just the right size for little ones with local vendors selling things in various price ranges. They might be set up at a local school or other nonprofits and sell items from candles to jewelry and knits. Usually a portion of the proceeds go to the hosting charity. There are generally low-cost options (a pair of earring for mom for $8; a mug for dad for $5), but I recommend inquiring in advance what the price range of items will be just in case. You can find listings for these events in your local PTA websites (or ask a high school parent) or communnity calendars.
5. Thrift Stores
Best kept secret! The bigger thrift stores will have something for everyone: children’s books and toys for sibling to sibling gifts; jewelry (watches, fashion jewelry) for parents/grandparents; ties for dad. But even small stores can offer a wide variety of items - when in doubt check websites or call.
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These are our area’s favorite low-cost shopping options:
Community Giving groups - note these groups are hyper local and you have to live in the respective towns to join.
- Buy Nothing PW/SandsPoint/Manhasset
- Community Giving Port Washington NY
- Community Giving Roslyn, Albertson, Williston Park & Searington, NY
Thrift stores
- Twin Pines in Port Washington
- St. Stephen’s Church Consignment Shop in Port Washington
- Junior League Thrift Shop in Manhasset
Local Facebook parent groups (for garage sales)
- Port Washington Parents
- Roslyn Moms
- Manhasset Moms
Your local non-profit organizations and PTA website for holiday boutiques or book sales
