The toys set to top Christmas wishlists, and how you can spend less

Dare we say the ‘C’ word?

It’s only September, but Christmas is already creeping into the shops, and retailers are getting ready for the festive spending rush.

The hunt for this year’s must-have toys has already begun, with Argos revealing the toys it expects to be popular on Christmas wishlists.

Retro-inspired toys are making a comeback, with a mini vinyl record player and a wooden train set featuring on the list.

The toys range from around £15 to £150, with everything from soft toys and wooden toys to Lego sets, gadgets and interactive games.

But before you start filling your basket, you don’t need to buy the latest or most expensive toys to give your kids a great Christmas.

If money’s tight, there are plenty of ways you can cut the cost of toys without taking the fun out of Christmas.

What toys could be popular this Christmas?

Argos has picked out 20 toys it expects to be big this Christmas, including:

• Mini Brands Really Works Vinyl Playset Series 1
• Lego Donkey Kong Arcade
• Hot Wheels City Ultimate T-Rex Garage
• Chad Valley Alfie and Jo Wooden Train Set
• Chad Valley Wooden Classic Kitchen Set
• Tonies Lite
• Little Live Pets Skye My Magical Dragon
• Primal Hatch Megalodon Hatching Egg Shark Toy
• VTech Kidi 12-in-1 Guitar Superstar
• Projector Karaoke Machine
• Lego Pokémon Smart Play: Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle
• Armorsaurs Armor-Up Dinosaur T-Rex Ajax
• Giftie Badge Maker
• Jupiter Workshops Four Storey Wooden Doll House
• Flutter Monster 40cm Soft Toy
• Toy Story 5 Bullseye Jumbo Plush
• KPop Demon Hunters Singing Doll
• Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie Megasaurus Dino Vehicle
• Peppa Pig Ready Pedal Peppa Activity
• Minions & Monsters Fart Blaster Pro

You don’t have to buy the ‘must-have’ toy

It can be tempting to feel like you need to buy the toy everyone is talking about.

But you don’t.

If your child has their heart set on something expensive, look around before you buy it.

You could find the same toy cheaper somewhere else, or find a similar toy that costs much less.

And remember, children don’t need piles of new toys to have a good Christmas.

Five ways you can spend less on toys

Set your budget before you shop

Before you start buying, work out how much you can afford to spend.

Make a list of every child you need to buy for and give yourself a spending limit for each one.

Once you’ve reached your limit, stop.

This can help you avoid getting carried away when you see all those Christmas deals.

Shop around

Don’t buy the first toy you see.

Check different shops and websites to see if you can find it cheaper.

Prices can vary, particularly on popular toys.

You could also look out for sales and special offers but only buy something if you were planning to buy it anyway.

A ‘deal’ isn’t a saving if it means spending money you don’t have.

Buy second-hand

You can save a lot by buying toys that have already been loved by another child.

Try places like eBay, Vinted and Facebook Marketplace, as well as charity shops and local selling groups.

You could find toys in very good condition for a fraction of the original price.

For younger children, always check that second-hand toys are safe and complete before giving them to your child.

Borrow instead of buying

You don’t have to own every toy your child plays with.

See if you have a local toy library where you can borrow toys instead of buying new ones.

You could also swap toys with friends or family.

This can be a great way to keep things feeling new without constantly spending money.

Spread the cost of shopping but not with debt

If you have some money available now, buying one or two presents each month could make December easier.

But be careful about using credit cards or buy-now-pay-later services to pay for Christmas.

You don’t want to start January with a pile of debt you can’t afford to repay.

With a bit of planning and some shopping around, you can give your children presents they’ll love without spending more than you can afford.