Savvy shoppers could save a decent amount during the October toy sales; check out my hints and tips!
It's October, so many supermarkets (and other retailers) are offering discounts on toys to attract super-organised Christmas shoppers!
It's not a terrible time to buy if your wallet allows, as there are some good deals. There will almost certainly be other deals as Christmas gets closer, but if you want/need to buy now, then the October toy sales are out there!
Which retailers are having a sale, and when do they end?
As per the chart below, several retailers are offering a toy sale at present, ( If you click on the yellow links, you'll be taken to the toy sale pages for each retailer): Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, B&M, and Smyths Toys.
Retailer | Up to how much discount | Sale prices ends on |
Tesco | 50% | 03/11/2024 |
Asda | 50% | 09/10/2024 |
Morrisons | 50% | 27/10/2024 |
Smyths Toys | £5 0ff £50 spend & £10 off £100 spend | 09/10/2024 |
B&M | 2 toys for £12 /£20 offers | not advertised |
PLUS:
Until 9th October, Amazon is offering £5 off a £50 spend on these toys and £10 off a £100 spend on these toys.
Remember that these sales are always UP TO 50% off, and obviously, not everything is super cheap. Use Google Shopping to check for prices elsewhere on something you want to buy, just in case you're not getting the best price!
Top tips for buying during the October toy sales!
Prioritise Needs: Before you start shopping, make a list of any toys you specifically want to purchase. This will help you avoid impulse buys and stay focused on essential items; it's very easy to get carried away!
Set a budget: Set a clear budget and stick to it! Again, like the above, it's so easy to go overboard and then look at your bank account and get a nasty shock! I like to write down what I've bought people ( I put it on the notes on my phone), as I have a terrible memory and forget if/what I've bought someone, this way you can easily keep track of who you have an haven't bought for, what you've got them, and it doesn't hurt to add how much you spent too, so you can keep a track on your expenditure on that person!
Involve the Kids: Have your children create their Christmas wish lists now to understand what they truly want, ensuring you don’t miss out on popular items, but the risk is that, if your kids are anything like mine, they'll likely change their minds as to what they want next week!
Cashback: Gift card cashback apps such as JamDoughnut will give you cashback on all of the retailers in my chart, apart from Smyths, so do make sure you are using cashback to shop savvy!
Wait for Prime Day! : Amazon Prime Day is from October 8th to the 9th, and there are bound to be some toy deals in there too, so maybe hold out if you can, until you see what Amazon has on offer.
Amazon Reminder: In regards to Amazon, remember to use the price checker Camel Camel Camel to check if an Amazon price has been better in the past, as not all deals are as good as they seem and this handy site will tell you if the product you're looking to buy has been cheaper in the past, and shows you if the deal is a good as it seems!
Check the return policy! Before making purchases, check the retailer's return/exchange policy to ensure you can return items if they don't meet expectations or you need to change the gift. This is especially important for Christmas gifts; double-check the return expiry date. Although most retailers extend their returns for Christmas buying, this may not have kicked in yet, as it is only October! After your shopping spree, keep all receipts in one place to streamline any future returns or exchanges; there's nothing worse than not being able to find the receipt for something, so maybe take a photo of all the receipts as backup, and if you use a receipt scanning app, you'll be able to see the receipt there, which has been a lifesaver for me in the past!
Utilise Loyalty Programs: Join loyalty programs from your favourite retailers to earn points on purchases, which can be redeemed for discounts or future purchases. As most of these toy sales are supermarket deals, make sure you're signed up, and scan your loyalty card, just in case you can earn extra points or grab extra savings!
Factor in Shipping costs: When shopping online, consider shipping costs as they can negate savings from discounts. Look for options that offer free shipping or consider in-store pickup to avoid extra fees. For supermarkets, you can likely get the toys delivered at the same time as you groceries, to save time and money!
Combine Purchases: If possible, combine your purchases with friends and family who also want to purchase from the same retailer to meet minimum thresholds for free delivery.
Consider Similar Products: If a specific toy is sold out or not discounted as expected, look at similar alternatives that may be available at a better price. Often, there are comparable items that can satisfy the same interests/toy theme!
Money is tight and so to finish this post, here are 5 handy quotes that I think are worth remembering when worrying about the cost of gift buying and Christmas in general...
"It's not the price of the gift that matters, but the thought behind it."
"Gifts should be a reflection of love, not a burden on your wallet."
"True generosity is not measured by how much you spend, but by how much you care."
"A thoughtful gift can be worth more than an expensive one, especially when it comes from the heart."
"In the end, it’s not about how much you give, but how much love you put into giving."
If you haven’t already, use my referral code PPUK to sign up to JamDoughnut, and you'll get a £3 bonus to start your cashback savings!