Planning for toy and product shortages?
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Anonymous
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I just read an article in The NY Times about smaller retailers preparing to file for bankruptcy because they’re cancelling shipments ordered for next Christmas due to the cost of tariffs exceeding the value of products they planned to sell. The examples were a home decor company that sells tons of fake trees and decorations and a Manhattan toy and children’s store. The children’s store example discussed scooters (I assume razor scooters, since that’s what most kids in the city have) and the fact that the manufacturer already cut the size of the store’s Christmas order.
Are you buying anything ahead in anticipation of kids’ upcoming birthdays or Christmas? I’m trying to be cautious but also have terrible memories of celebrating my kid’s birthday during the strict COVID lockdowns and having to improvise everything. It was fine once but it won’t be heartwarming a second time. My kid is 10 now so I feel like this is one of the last years of her being willing to ask for toys, even though I know she’ll play with them for years to come. |
Anonymous
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My child doesn't know what he wants next week let alone in 8 months at Christmas, lol. Anything I try to prebuy will be a waste, no matter what it is.
When DS was little, his gifts all came from consignment sales and marketplace. As he got older, we started to replace them with experiences and electronics as he outgrew toys. At 11, he is no longer interested in any toys unless it's one of those ridiculously huge squishmallows from Costco that he likes to use as pillows/nest material to get cozy and read. |
Anonymous
| Nope - they are old enough to appreciate experience gifts at 5 and 9, and the 9 yr old will be thrilled with having an animal fostered/adopted/rescued in her name as a gift. |
Anonymous
| Nope. A toy shortage would not be the worst thing for our cluttered household. |
Anonymous
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OP and my kid actually doesn’t have a lot of toys, which is why it’s top of mind. We moved from a very tight space to a larger house last month, and the toys she has are suddenly getting played with a lot regardless of age appropriateness, possibly because she finally has space to pull stuff out and can clean up more easily. We did experience stuff for many Christmases and birthdays so actual stuff is more novel and exciting. She pulled out the baby doll stuff and wooden train tracks last week out of boredom or desperation. I’ve seen her carefully studying the LOLs and Monster High type dolls at Target.
I guess I’m feeling the pressure to seize this phase while I still can! She has zero interest in screens/video games nor do most of her girl friends. |
Anonymous
Yeah, we have a real live rescue dog of our own so I think that would not be appreciated. Maybe I can use that to get dog #2 past DH? “There’s a toy shortage so I adopted a dog in your name.” |
Anonymous
It's more like adopting a sea otter or penguin or something. Not a household pet. |
Anonymous
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There is no way to anticipate what your child will want in six months - especially at this age. I'm not worried. A toy shortage is probably a good thing.
- Someone who tripled their square footage with a new house purchase last year so I get it OP, but enjoy the wide open spaces and empty cabinets. I definitely am. |
Anonymous
OP and I wish you could see my face. Sponsoring a wild or zoo animal makes a lot more sense- no idea why I read this as “ceremonial adoption of a shelter pet that we could turn into the real thing”. Pretend otter adoption is probably not what DD has in mind. She did fish sit recently with great responsibility and success, so perhaps an aquarium setup would be a good alternative to toys and stuff. |
Anonymous
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I’m sure there will be shortages and prices will be a lot higher. A lot of this stuff is coming from China.
But kids don’t need 30 toys, they only need 2. |
Anonymous
| If you are worried, buy a few toys now and regift it to someone else if they no longer are interested in it by Christmas. It’s going to be a gift for someone… |
Anonymous
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This is the very, very least of my worries.
“Terrible memories” of celebrating your kid’s birthday during Covid? Are you for real? I have terrible memories of all the suffering of people whose loved ones died, including a coworker whose entire immediate family died of Covid: parents and 2 sisters. Sorry OP, something about the tone of your post has clearly rubbed me the wrong way. I’m pretty sure all of our kids are going to be just fine with less toys. Probably better off really. |
Anonymous
| I’ve been stocking up quite a bit but not on toys. Swapping and used will still be an option. |
Anonymous
on what? |
Anonymous
Shelf stable foods, OTC meds, shoes in the next size up for kids, hygiene products. There’s a huge thread in off topic. |