As the festive season draws closer, many parents are faced with the daunting task of finding the perfect gifts for their children within their budgets. Carlee Wengel, a mother of two from Washington, has developed a strategic approach to Christmas shopping that begins months in advance. Wengel’s method not only allows her to find significant bargains but also helps her avoid the stress that often accompanies last-minute shopping.
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Wengel, who balances her role as a stay-at-home mother with content creation and managing an Etsy shop, has been on the lookout for discounted gifts since her children were babies. With an estimated budget of around £160 per child, she often scours Walmart’s clearance aisles and thrift stores for toys. “Babies and toddlers don’t really care if a toy is new or full price,” she explains, highlighting a pragmatic view of childhood play.
In a recent TikTok video, Wengel took viewers on her quest for festive discounts, recounting how she began her shopping excursions as early as September to combat rising expenses. Her first stop revealed a five-in-one Paw Patrol puzzle reduced from £8.50 to £5.50. However, a subsequent visit to another Walmart proved to be even more fruitful, with her unearthing a toy originally priced at £36 now available for just £8. Additionally, she picked up a skirt priced at £3 and several other affordable items for future occasions.
To ensure she is getting the best possible deals, Wengel employs a helpful tip: utilizing the Walmart app to scan clearance items for potential lower prices. During her shopping trip, for example, she found a pool listed at £5 rang up for just £1. This approach not only enhances her savings but also demonstrates her commitment to careful budgeting.
Wengel acknowledges that the pursuit of finding the right gifts is time-consuming, particularly as her children grow older and their preferences may become more discerning. “I know as my kids get older, this will become more challenging,” she remarks. Starting her shopping early grants her the luxury of selection over scrambling for affordable presents closer to Christmas.
Living near two Walmarts, a Target, a Michaels, and a Hobby Lobby, Wengel frequently visits her preferred Walmart to explore the ever-changing clearance selection. Typically, she makes these visits weekly while her children are at school, scrutinising the clearance aisles, toy displays, and craft sections. While she typically seeks out popular brands such as Barbie, Pokémon, and Play-Doh, she is also open to experimenting with unfamiliar toys if the discounts are steep enough.
One of her standout finds was a Melissa & Doug Grill and Pizza Oven set that usually costs around £150 but was snagged for an impressive £22. Although she originally purchased it for her youngest child’s birthday, she has set aside another find—a KidsKraft four-foot dollhouse bought for £22 from a thrift store, originally retailing for over £160—for Christmas.
Wengel’s enthusiasm for bargain hunting extends to online platforms like Facebook Marketplace and eBay, where she discovers further discounted toys. Last year, she acquired a three-foot Paw Patrol tower for £32 through Facebook Marketplace, a significant reduction from its original retail price of £200.
While Wengel remains open to purchasing full-priced items should her children have their hearts set on something specific, she typically checks Target promotions and Black Friday sales beforehand. Rather than succumbing to the pressure of holiday catalogues, she focuses on what genuinely excites her children, ensuring that her purchases are both thoughtful and financially sound.
With a holiday spending plan that nears several thousand pounds, accounting for gifts for relatives along with expenses for food, travel, and seasonal activities, Wengel stresses the importance of starting her shopping early. She appreciates the distinctive advantage of spreading her purchases over a longer period, significantly reducing the pressure that often comes with last-minute shopping.
By implementing her proactive shopping strategy, Wengel is not only able to maintain her budget but also create an enjoyable experience for her children during the festive season. “You have to start early if you want good options and not be stressed as Christmas approaches,” she concludes, demonstrating that careful planning can lead to a joyous holiday without the financial strain.