Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Toy shortage?
How this could affect your holidays
Many popular toys may sell out long before the holidays, thanks to ongoing pandemic-related disruptions. This could be a disaster — or a great opportunity to reshape how we celebrate.
1 Why toys may be in short supply
Holiday shortages are nothing new. Most years, some trendy toy or gaming console becomes the hot, hard-to-find item when manufacturers and retailers misjudge demand.
What may be different this year is the number of toys in short supply. Most toys and electronics are manufactured in Asia, but bottlenecks at ports are delaying deliveries, while shipping costs have skyrocketed.
Higher costs are often passed along to consumers as higher prices. That, and the potential for shortages, should encourage people to start shopping as early as possible, says Jillian Wahlquist, vice president of Tom’s Toys, an independent retailer with three locations in California.
2 How to avoid the mad scramble for toys
Of course, panic buying early can be just as destructive to your budget as waiting until the last minute. Consider drafting a holiday budget now that incorporates all your expected costs.
If you’re buying a gift for a child and not sure what they want, or are concerned that their interest will wane by the holidays, consider some alternatives.
The first substitute is to choose classic toys that retain their appeal over time. Board games, art supplies and building toys such as wooden blocks are some possibilities.
Another option: handmade gifts. If you aren’t crafty, you can buy wooden toys, stuffed animals and other handmade options at crafts fairs and online marketplaces like Etsy.
Giving experiences is another option, especially for teenagers. Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found that kids ages 3 to 12 prefer material gifts, while older children get more happiness from experiences, like baking lessons or amusement park visits.
3 Play the memory game
Speaking of memory, try this: Ask your kids what their favorite gift was last year, and the year before, and the year before that.
The point is to share the memories you have, which likely have more to do with the time you spent together than with what you gave each other. Together, you might create a list of what you want to do as a family during the holidays.