This post is sponsored by Kohl’s. I was paid for this post and received the included toys as compensation.
Holiday season is here folks. And like any typical parent out there, you’re already starting to sweat over toy shopping, or you’re in denial about it and will wait till the last minute and throw your stress levels into overdrive.
Don’t be like Arnold.
The best way to attack holiday shopping is to have a plan. Don’t just glaze over after all that turkey and stuffing and start clicking to buy everything and anything – have a few starting points:
– start to build your list of items now so you can just get them all at once. Kohl’s is a great place to start because you can shop from your couch or actually go IN the store. This way if they don’t have it online, you can see which local store does or vice versa.
-cover your bases. I like to plan toys around what they WANT and what is going to make my life easier. So if I need something to keep them occupied in a cabin while we go skiing this winter or in the 6-hour car ride to Vermont what are they going to love the most for that?
– what’s hot? If they have been begging for the new American Doll since like March, well, make sure to get that before there are no more Molly doll’s to go around.
Here’s a sample of some of the holiday toy shopping I’ve already tapped into at Kohl’s:
SOMETHING EXCLUSIVE: Fisher Price Imaginext Batcave
As a parent, we know the pains of hot toys flying off shelves, so my advice is to try and snag them early as possible (as in July). Clearly, no one has time for that. But Kohl’s is pretty good about keeping a lot of things in stock in store (and if not in-store, online!). They also have these really cool exclusive toys only to Kohl’s like this Fisher Price Imaginext Batcave that will let kids know you put in your parenting legwork. Plus, who doesn’t want to pretend the secretive Batcave exists in their own bedroom?
A CLASSIC: LEGO
LEGO Never goes out of style. In fact, LEGO just gets cooler. If you have a little who is obsessed with these little bricks as much as I do, the original LEGO Creative Brick Set is always a great gift idea. Not only does it come with 790 rainbow pieces, there is an instruction manual inside on how to build lots of cool things from houses to bulldozers to cameras.
ROAD TRIPS: MELISSA AND DOUG
We have always been huge fans of the Melissa and Doug line with their educational toys, wooden and felt food sets and just overall pretty and clean designs. But my favorite thing about them? They make THE BEST road trip toys on the planet. From their Water Wow! messless coloring books to their reusable sticker pads, they are perfect for hours on the road.
One other cool item – the responsibility chart. I LOVE THIS. However, you might want to just get as an add-on item. It’s kind of mean to get them this as a gift, no? *Evil parenting laugh ensues.
One more cool thing: Kohl’s Cash
Everytime you spend $50 at Kohl’s you’ll get $10 back. CHA CHING! You can earn it online, instore – anywhere you shop and it’ll be sent as a coupon used towards your next purchase. Get more details here.
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