This Season, Depend on Your Creativity as Much as Your Credit Card

FIVE EASY WAYS FOR FAMILIES TO STRETCH TOY BUDGETS AND GET IMAGINATIVE, BELLY-LAUGHING PLAY IN THE BARGAIN

CHICAGO, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Now that family budgets are tighter than ever, how can families stretch their shrinking wallets to give kids a memorable and safe holiday season?

Select toys carefully, go for quality over quantity, make homemade gifts, and focus on spending time rather than money, advises the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA).

"Of course kids love getting toys this time of year, and grown-ups love seeing the excitement on children's faces when they open something new. But we all know that the season means so much more than brightly wrapped packages," says Kathleen McHugh, President of ASTRA. "This year, it's all about quality, safety, and depending on your creativity as much as your credit card."

Here are a few tips from ASTRA for stretching your toy-buying dollars:

1. Pick toys that have staying power over toys loaded with technology. Heavily advertised toys with lots of electronic features may be what kids say they want, but often those products lose their appeal for children after they try out all the features. "Smart shopping means selecting a toy that's about what the child can do, not what the toy can do," says McHugh. "Electronic razzmatazz with pre-programmed play is more expensive and less interesting to kids over time. Toys that let kids use their imagination are your better value because kids don't get bored with them."
2. Match the toy with the child's developmental level. If you have less to spend this year, make the most of it by buying toys that are a good fit with the child's abilities and interests. If the toy is a good match, you can expect the child to spend more hours playing with it and you will need fewer toys, suggests McHugh. While big box stores generally do not have experts available, the staff at small locally-owned toy stores understand child development and specialize in helping customers choose safe, developmentally appropriate toys. To find stores that can help you select toys to fit your child -- and for a handy list of toys by age group and interests -- visit the 2008 Best Toys for Kids List at http://www.astratoy.org.
3. Choose inexpensive gifts with "extended play" opportunities. Sometimes an inexpensive gift can deliver hours upon hours of meaningful play for kids. A good children's book, for example, creates wonderful cuddle-up reading time, and also can be the launch pad for acting out the story, writing and illustrating a sequel, or using the main character as the subject of an original silly song. Package the book with art supplies or scraps of material that can be used as costumes.
4. Make gifts rather than buying them. The art of hand-made gifts is begging for a revival, and this is a good year to start a new tradition: a family gift-making party. You may have many of the supplies you need around the house, or you can pick up craft kits with everything you need -- including expert advice -- at your local toy store.
5. Focus on spending time, not money. If you trim your budget this year, you are probably cutting back on time devoted to shopping. Why not spend that found time enjoying loved ones? This could be a good time to introduce a Family Game Night that can remain a weekly or monthly tradition long after the holidays are just a memory. Rediscover the old classic games or find fresh new soon-to-be classics when you visit a local toy store.

"There are so many ways to economize this season without cutting back on the fun or the safety or the warm memories we give our kids," maintains ASTRA's McHugh. "To help you, the people at your locally-owned toy store can be a useful -- and free! -- resource. They are from your community and they are raising families, too. They are experts on toys and play and sticking to tight budgets. They hand-select a wide range of safe, highly creative toys that may not be the heavily-advertised ones your kids bug you to buy them, but they will be the ones your kids play with over and over. And that makes them a terrific value during these penny-pinching times."

About the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA)

With more than 1,000 members, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is the largest association promoting the growth of the toy industry by delivering products that serve children's best interests. For more information, visit www.astratoy.org.