Ways to save for the Holidays

Who doesn't need to save during the holidays?  6 years back, my close friends and I decided it would be fun to buy gifts for our kids.  Although it seemed like a good idea, fast-forward time and add a few siblings, and our gift-exchange among 4 is now among 10 children!  We like to keep the tradition of big smiles and a fun get-together, but have agreed to keep our spending at a minimum.  Although great for the bank, it's a challenge finding a great gift in the $10 range.

Seems like Toys R Us has made spending a little easier this year!  They've launched a FAB $10 for $20 Groupon  BUT only in the STATES on location (great for those cross-border shoppers).

So how can Canadians still spend on a budget yet buy and get great holiday gifts for the kids this year?  My solution was to create a WishGift.  I'm always asked by family and friends what they can get my children for the holidays.  Creating a WishGift allows them to contribute the same amount they would spend on one gift in a store, but allows everyone to come together to get an amazing gift.

This year I'm considering a LeapPad 2 or breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table for an upcoming Disney trip.  Both gifts are around $120 and having a WishGift makes it easy for those looking to buy my children gifts and allows my children to get something they'll play with and remember for a long time!  Both gifts are so great but I can't decide...

 

OR

 

Like the idea of giving-together towards a group-gift?  Follow my blog and join me on my Social Networking sites to share gifts ideas and inspire.

What to WishGift?!?

  The hardest part about having a WishGift, is knowing what to register.  Once that decision is made, contributing and purchasing the WishGifted item is simple and effortless.

  For the past year, we've had amazing gifts registered!  We've had items registered for 1-year-olds to 40-year-olds and everything from toys, to lessons, to gift certificates have been given as gifts.  Guests don't spend more and everyone comes together to give something amazing!

  With the holiday season quickly approaching, thought it'd be fun to share some of my favourite WishGifted items!


*Product links have been added for your convenience.  Wishgift.ca allows any gift to be registered from any store and is independent from all stores linked in this blog.

Outdoor WishGifts:

 

Little Tikes Endless Adventures Playground

Bayberry Outdoor Playhouse

Kidwise Castle Bounce House

Electronic WishGifts:

LeapFrog LeapPad 2

X-Box Kinect

Nintendo Wii

Little Boy WishGifts:

 

Melissa & Doug 60 piece Block Set

Hockey Night in Canada Mini Steel Set (with extras)

Melissa & Doug Workbench

Little Girl WishGifts:

 

Disney Princess 12 piece Dress-Up kit

KidCraft Majestic Mansion

American Girl Dolls: McKenna Doll & Book

 Ride-On WishGifts:

Classic Pickup Truck

Fisher-Price Power Wheels Harley-Davidson

Disney Princess Bicycle

 

Activity WishGifts:

 

  

Like the idea of giving-together towards a group-gift?  Follow my blog and join me on my Social Networking sites to share gifts ideas and inspire.

 

 

 

User Testimonial

R. Hargreaves, 1971

Credit: http://www.antisocialshop.com/skate/2010/03/page/3/

 

When it comes to new users using WishGift to register a gift, I love getting feedback.  Parents often relate to the problem of their children having too many toys and like the idea of a group-gift, while some parents like the idea, but hesitate cause they think their child will be upset by not receiving as many gifts.  Whatever the thought, I enjoy getting the discussion started and welcome feedback or comments.

  

Most recently, a mom registered a swingset for her daughter's first birthday.  Below is an excerpt of her thoughts after using the site.

"Hi,

 I just wanted to thank-you for creating WishGift!  
We really have soooo many toys already and hand me down clothes
 that there was really very little we needed as gifts.  
Having our guests chip in towards a swingset just made so much sense...."

In this mom's case, the gift registered was quite pricey and although the full amount wasn't covered, she received all the funds and went on to say

"We will be making up the difference 
but don't mind cause we will soon have a beautiful swingset 
for the kids to play with for a good 10 years at least! 
 Thanks again WishGift!"  
Steph L.

Thanks for giving us a try and thanks for the user testimonial Steph L.!

If you like the idea of simplifying gift giving and receiving, please connect with us through social media. I'd love to hear from you!

 

 

Sport WishGifts

Photo Credit: Lounge Park/Getty Images; from Redbook

For some, Saturday is the chance to sleep-in.  It's the preferred day of the week with no alarms, no lunches to be made and no rushing.  It's just a day to unwind and relax.  If your Saturday morning resembles this, clearly you don't have children.  A typical Saturday morning with children involves an early wake-up, a speedy breakfast and a mad dash to either hockey practice, swimming lessons, gymnastics practice, dance lessons...  (and if you're not doing this on Saturday, chances are this your typical Sunday).

It's no secret that exposing children to activities and a healthy lifestyle is crucial in developing long-term healthy habits.  It's good for their development and self-esteem AND they have the energy to spare.  Despite the endless list of positives, Canadian parents invest an average of $1,658 per year on their kids’ sports activities (Peters, D- http://www.ratesupermarket.ca/blog/kids-sports-the-true-cost-to-canadian-families/).  This includes the cost of the activity, the equipment, gas and food.

One of my favourite things about using WishGift for a child's birthday present is being able to register beyond toys and sport lessons is a perfect alternative!  To date, WishGift has been used to group-gift gymnastics lessons, karate lessons, skiing lessons and skating lessons with Dynowear equipment.  We know that guests are often looking for gift-ideas so registering lessons and/or equipment for your child's favourite sport makes the perfect group-gift.

So the next time you're wondering why you don't have money to spare, consider creating a WishGift for your child's perfect gift.
 

3rd birthday WishGift included:

skating lessons, skates, helmet 

and protective pants and gloves from 

Dynowear

WishGift.ca: The ProMist of Registries

Have you ever cleaned your floors with a Vileda ProMist?  As a working mom of toddlers, it's my go-to, quick tool to clean my floors.  Sure mops are great, but in my fast-paced lifestyle, I want something quick.  Furthermore, I'm in love with the convenience, style and most of all, freedom to choose my preferred cleaner.

Like the ProMist, WishGift.ca is a tool built on convenience.  It's my "modern day" form of a registry.  By registering a gift through WishGift, I eliminate limiting my options to a stores' inventory and save time by not having to scan the items.  For my guests, I eliminate gift guess-work and shopping.  And since everything's done online, it really is the quickest, simplest and smoothest gift-giving transaction.

WishGift is based on group-giving.  The idea is that a gift is registered as an option that guests can contribute towards.  To receive online contributions, Paypal is used however guests can pledge to contribute an amount by cash or cheque and the funds are given on the day of the event.  With the funds received, the gift is purchased.  Furthermore, since guests spend different amounts on gifts, WishGift allows any amount to be contributed.  We don't "suggest" a gift amount and respect that all dominations received is a valued gift.

Best part of WishGift is the freedom to choose!  My husband taught me that the best gift is buying someone something they wouldn't get themselves.  Although, that's true, they probably haven't bought it themselves because it's too expensive.  There are so many great gifts for children, some not even toys, but they often come with a high price tag.  WishGift allows for anything to be contributed towards leaving options like sport lessons, music lessons, instruments, RESPs etc.  We know that guests probably won't come empty handed so just imagine what can be purchased if everyone chipped in to a super special item...and that's a WishGift!

**So if I had a trendding blog with lots of readers this is where I'd offer the "Chance to Win a FREE ProMist" but since I'm new to blogging,  the best I can offer is a link to Vileda's $5.00 off coupon.  Hope you enjoy!!

http://www.vileda.ca/en/vileda/promotions.aspx

Yup...We're Free!

  
  There's not much in life that's free.  Maybe that's why I'm often asked, re-asked and then asked again if we really are 100% free!  I'm pleased to say that "YUP, we are!"

  Making WishGift.ca a free service was at the forefront of my decision making.  My mission with the site was to create a service that communicates a gift-option to make gift-giving simpler and convenient for guests and recipients.  I want to encourage the giving of great gifts and promote items that will be enjoyed for a long-time. Charging a user fee or withholding a percentage of ones' contributions would only discourage the use of the site. 

We're really quite simple:

1- You register the gift
2- You get the funds (either through Paypal or from guests at the event)
3- You buy the gift

  So relax, register, and enjoy a great gift for your special someone!  We're not gonna take your money! 

 

**Please note: When receiving contributions though Paypal, Paypal standard usage fees apply.