It’s almost July and for me, and many other savvy Mum’s out there, this means Christmas shopping at the July Toy Sales. This is how I have survived many Christmas’s since being a Mother, I hit the July toy sales and lay-by everything in one hit. Then slowly over the next 4 and a bit months pay it off picking it up sometimes on Christmas Eve. If you have’t done this in the past, I’ll give you the hot tip, this way saves money and so much stress at Christmas time. I have to be extra organised as I have Little Miss 5’s birthday six days after Christmas and then two days later Mr 2s birthday so it gets nuts. Without the July toy sale I don’t think I could afford Christmas and two birthday’s in one week.
GIVE AWAY 3 $100 Big W GIFT CARDS TO WIN
To get your Christmas spirit juices flowing (no I don’t mean alcohol) Big W have given me three $100 Gift Cards to give away to my Australian readers so you can make a healthy start to your Christmas shopping. How awesome is that? To win one, leave a comment below and the three comments that I think are the best will be chosen. This is a game of skill!!
Here are some of the toys sitting in the top 10 list from the Big W Giant Toy Spectacular
BIG W has commissioned a survey to celebrate the launch of its annual toy sale. One of the leading stats to come to light is the funny fact that 68% of Aussie parents admit they play with their kid’s toys when they’ve gone to bed or are not around. It seems Mum and Dad’s top favourites include, Mr Potato Head, Lego, train and car tracks, Nerf Guns and gaming consoles…I can back this one up, last Christmas my son and nephew got Nerf guns, they didn’t get to touch them my husband and his brothers (the uncles) went to war shooting anything that moved.
I’ve been a bit sneaky and taken the kids to Big W one night after school and let them loose. Just watching what they gravitate to tells me what they are in to, with me following along making mental notes of what’s going on lay-by next week!! I am having trouble believing that Cabbage Patch dolls turn 30 this year, that means I was Little Miss 5’s age when they came out, yeah that makes me feel OLD!!! 
The Big W Giant Toy Spectacular Sale has already started online, and starts in store 27 June. Get savvy this year, get organised and shop at the toy sales so you do not need to go near a toy store in December when everyone is going nuts.
Don’t forget to leave a comment below to be in the running to win one of three $100 Big W Gift Cards to spend on what ever you like.
Sorry this competition is closed now.
Renee
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Toy quality control by Parents!!!!
I was a toy sale layby-er – if only to save the space of having to store all those toys for 5 months!
My nephews are all older now, so I tend to buy them a small gift to have under the tree (varying from hair products to fishing lures and books) then take them shopping at the sales. They come in handy for carrying my bags too!
I still have friends little ones to buy for (and my own now) so I’ll be stalking the mail box waiting for my catalogue so I can head to the shop somewhat prepared!
Gee I would love to buy my son a new gaming console. Of course I would never ever touch it (whilst he is around)
I would love to buy my precious little girl her first little dolls house just like I had growing up.
My husband loves building the toys because then he gets to be the first person playing with them 🙂
Our twins are too small to select toys for themselves,so they get toys with which dad wants to play ( dad never checks age recommendations ) and the toys that makes mum happy.Its a win win for everyone during Toy sales at our place.
My hubby loves that my 6yr old is into Lego. Gives him the excuse to also play and build with it bringing back childhood memories.
This year, my three children have requested outdoor activities. They have asked for bikes, scooters and helmets. I have decided that we will exercise as a family, as I definitely need some extra motivation in the exercise department and what better way than to participate in a light and fun activity together. Think of the adventures you could have with your kids on an outdoors adventure. I am thinking about a nice summer afternoon picnic along the riverside bike tracks with my three gorgeous kids and hubby!
$100 toy gift voucher – oooh a mother’s dream come true! Might actually inspire me to start my “Santa” shopping early rather than leaving until the week before Christmas!!!!!!!
I have a little cupboard,
that I now wish had a key,
filled with treasures just for me.
With skin care, makeup and fragrance galore,
I love to treat myself that’s for sure!
But this is a story of earlier today,
involving my two year old gone astray.
I left her alone so I could wash,
got out of the shower – and ohh my gosh.
My favourite lipstick was no more,
it was used to draw on the wall.
Chanel No.5 I could smell,
the bottle was empty – just a shell.
For she had sprayed it into a bowl,
to bath her doll – bless her soul……
My blood was boiling, but it doesn’t end there,
I go to the loungeroom, and more despair.
A white leather lounge suite with red nail polish,
my daughter thinks she’s quite accomplished!!
This certainly has taught me a lesson,
don’t leave two year old’s alone for a second!!
So now I need new toys to keep her amused,
anything with music should keep her enthused.
Now cleaning and scrubbing will comprise the rest of my day,
after I LOCK my remaining treasures away!
Hubby and I also took our 3 kids to Big W before the Toy Sale to see what they liked! We always make good use of the Lay buy as our daughter and nephew have a birthday right around Christmas! Looking forward to heading there with my list and making my lay buy knowing its one less thing to worry about come Christmas time. The looks on their faces Chrissy morning is priceless!
I’ve got 2 reason why I’d love to win a voucher …. my super cool little dude is an absolute Thomas fan. He calls him “Toot toot!” He talks about Thomas in his sleep and chuckles away. All his Thomas toys are second hand as we can’t afford to buy Thomas stuff brand new (too pricey!).I would love to get him a brand new Thomas the Tank Engine and to get my little girl her first brand new Cabbage Patch doll – just like I had when I was 5 years old and they first came out. I’m giving away my age but I cannot believe that 30 years has passed!! They’re too expensive to buy brand new on one income 🙂 Hope I win a voucher …. Cha -Ching!!!! 🙂
My nephew (lives in India) love the toys I brought for him every year from Australia. Last year I bought him lot of stuff from Big W and this year he demanded for Buzz Light year and John deere toys. If I win this voucher i will buy those toys for him and let him know this is from aunt Renee…:)
My first toy sale was when my eldest daughter was 7 months. I bought her a vtech fly and learn globe because I thought it was really cool. Turns out I was a bit ambitious as we have only just got it down from the cupboard for her to play with now and she is 3 & 3/4! I now have a second daughter and both of them have birthdays coming up – 2 and 4 years old and I would really LOVE a Big W voucher!! 🙂
I would love to get my 5 year old a cabbage patch doll. I loved mine so much when I was younger. I would love to get her one and see if she loved it just as much as I did
Unsure if my last comment went through. I would love to check out th ecabbage patch dolls. I loved mine and would love to get one for my 5 year old and hopefully she would love it as much as I loved mine
Hi, please pick me!! I was super organised two xmas’ ago and hit the toy sales. Hid the toys in the house for the remaining 6 months, job well done. Last year i thought i’d skip it and wait til xmas time WHY did i do that???? big mistake! So with little space left in our house to hide anything i’m thinking about trying the layby option. I need some motivation though as i work in retail and avoid the shops as much as possible after work hours! I’m a sure a voucher will do the trick!
Once I was lady with a big round tum, who was just about to become a new Mum
After a day filled with delight, I settled into bed on Christmas night.
But it seems my bubba was in a rush, as out came my waters with a big gush!
So to the hospital we made a mad dash, where my early-bird bubby was born in a flash.
A perfect Christmas present for me and his Dad, but the thought of ignored birthdays did make me a bit sad.
So instead of making kiddo wait a whole year, the toy sales are an excuse for a little half-birthday cheer.
And their layby helps spread out present costs, because birthdays near Christmas hurt the budget a lot!
Thanks to the toysales for helping us afford, to spoil the little one we so adore.
(And the catalogues also deserve a thanks alright, for giving hours of silence while kiddo devours pages in delight!)
Sorry I somehow accidentally posted twice!
Once I was lady with a big round tum,
who was just about to become a new Mum.
After a day filled with delight,
I settled into bed on Christmas night.
But it seems my bubba was in a rush,
as out came my waters with a big gush!
So to the hospital we made a mad dash,
where my early-bird bubby was born in a flash.
A perfect Christmas present for me and his Dad,
but the thought of ignored birthdays did make me a bit sad.
So instead of making kiddo wait a whole year,
the toy sales are an excuse for a little half-birthday cheer.
And their layby helps spread out present costs,
because birthdays near Christmas hurt the budget a lot!
Thanks to the toysales for helping us afford,
to spoil the little one we so adore.
(And the catalogues also deserve a thanks alright,
for giving hours of silence while kiddo devours pages in delight!)
PS. I feel for you having two birthdays close to Christmas, I find it tricky enough with 1!
I’d love to win this competition from “Belle Amie Mother of Three”,
So I can choose the kids pressies and get them for free!
There’s plenty to pick from using this fantastic gift card…..
A Cabbage Patch, some Lego, or a slide for the yard.
If I was to win, I’d be sure jumping with glee,
As toys are so much more fun than watching TV
And Big W’s Toy Sale has some spectacular buys,
So thank-you Renee for offering this fabulous prize!
Early christmas laybys are a life saver, especially having to buy for 3 little ones this year. Last year I messed up and laybyed more than I could afford and didnt leave much of a deposit, sadly it was cancelled and I did the mad rush 2 weeks before christmas which just made the whole experience stressful. 100 dollars would be an awesome layby deposit. I agree lego is the best I enjoy building the little friends stuff with my daughter an duplo with my toddlers, would also like to get my kidlets some outdoors equipment this year all be have is a few ride ons and a cozy coupe they constantly fight over lol
My youngest daughter Kayla, aged 3
Thinks the Dora Kitchen is cool as can be
Nikki, aged 5 loves Barbie the best
The Barbie Limo pack is what impressed
And for Penni, a tomboy, aged 8
Thinks that the Nerf Laser Tag toy is great
Would love to buy more Lego,
it’s just so great,
something I do appreciate.
Keeping the kids entertained(sometimes) happily for hours,
(A chance for me to have a shower!)
Thank-you Lego you can’t be beat.
For allowing a toilet break in peace!
A boy of 3, a girl of 6, a little girl who’s 1,
nothing makes them happier than sunny backyard fun.
But then along came winter and with it so much rain,
being stuck inside they squabble and complain!
Some new chalk, textas and puzzles could make these days more fun,
saving the ears (and the sanity!) of this sick of winter mum!
When the kids are fast asleep
A tiptoeing in I peep
To ‘tidy’.. perhaps tinker with lego
or mold something out of playdoh
But shh it’s all in good fun
& the little one’s don’t know once I’m done!
We don’t much extra cash at the moment, so the best way to afford Christmas is to spread the cost over the whole year! The Big W sale is awesome for this, I will be going and trying to get some shopping done, it’s great as I go in just looking for things that people will love, not anything specific, that way if I see a great deal, I buy it, and hopefully the person I buy it for will love it, and it’s saved me money!
I like you on facebook too (kim maree)
My daughter really wants the latest Lego Friends sets; she’s been in love with Lego ever since that theme started. Now, her brother’s castles and pirate ships are becoming pink palaces and cruise liners; it’s an eclectic combination of styles. Winning this prize and buying toys for her would blow her and the rest of the family away; it would be awesome.