Toddler sale haul

I love love love sales, you can pick up some great bargains and pay a fraction of the price. This time of year is the best time to pick up things for next winter and Christmas. Yes I have bought things for next Christmas! I just put it all in a box and stick it away but it saves me a fair amount of money on things I would have ended up buying for Michael anyway. 

Mothercare

I was quite late to the Mothercare sale this year, a lot of the things I would have wanted for Michael they ran out of his size in my local store. However I did pick him up a pair of red pumps in a bigger size reduced from £10 to £3. They also had a range of other colours. I love these on Michael, they look great with jeans and shorts in the summer. Hoping they fit him when we go away in May. I also picked him up a pair of cute snowman socks for Christmas 2016. At 50p they were really cheap and he would have got a new pair of Christmas socks anyway.

Next

I really like Next clothes, I think they are a great quality and wear very well. However they can be expensive, therefore I do try to take advantage of their sales. This year I picked him up some really nice long sleeve t-shirts for next winter in the size 3-4 years. At £3 reduced from £7 and a double pack at £5 reduced from £14 they were a great price for good quality. Hopefully they will also do him good for two winters since Next is quite generous with their sizing.

In my post on a Christmas Eve box, you would have noticed I also give Michael new pjs on Christmas Eve. From Next I also picked him up a very cute pair of minion Christmas pjs that were £5 reduced from £16. He really likes the minion films and since he will be 3 in September, I think the size 3-4 years will fit him by the December. 

Asda

My local Asda reduced all their Christmas bits really quickly so all of the stuff I picked up from Asda are Christmas related. A snowman t-shirt reduced from £3 to £2, snowman socks reduced from £1.50 to 50p (I forgot I already picked him up a pair!) a Santa key that was 50p reduced from £2 and a letter writing set that was just 25p. I didn't bother doing many Santa things with Michael in 2015 because at 2 I just didn't think he was quite there with understanding it all but 2016 and at 3 years of age, I think he will understand and really enjoy the key and letter. 

Not for Michael I also bought Lego Darth Vader in Asda reduced to £10 from £25. That is the cheapest I have seen them and will be a really good birthday present for my partner in July. He loves Star Wars and Lego so two birds with one stone. Star Wars mania is everywhere! 

Primark

Last but not least was Primark and these bits I just picked up today. I am not the biggest fan of Primark for children's clothes but I had to go in there for vests and they had a lot reduced so I had a look. I am really pleased with what I bought and pleasantly surprised at the quality. Fleece pyjamas at £3 a pair, needed this week it's freezing! A tracksuit  onsie at £3 reduced from £7, a rain jacket at £5 reduced from £9 and a really cute rugby style long sleeved top at £2 reduced from £5. All bigger sizes, while I don't think they will last Michael two winters like the clothes from Next, they should last until next year.

I don't think I spent too much on the sales but I must admit that I do try and buy Michael's clothes in the sales and at a cheaper price. I have also been looking for a new coat for him next winter at a reduced price but have not yet found one I like. Perhaps when Next have their sale in the spring. All of the stuff I bought should still be available online/in store.

Let me know if you found any great bargains in the sales, or if you know of some nice coats for toddler boys let me know in the comments below.

H. 

Favourite clothes stores for children

I love buying clothes...for my son. For me nothing seems to fit fantastically and I always question too much if I need that fabulous pink shirt. Then when I decide to actually buy that shirt, they have sold out. Sigh.

Anyway Michael has more clothes than he will probably wear in a lifetime but I love buying for him and like him looking smart. Here are some of my favourite clothes stores for toddlers.

1. Asda George

Now this is probably because Asda is the only large supermarket within a 10 minute walk but I do like the clothes Asda has to offer. They are affordable and fit well. 

I just bought these two shirts for Michael recently in the Asda sale. For £3 and £4 for decent quality t-shirts you can't go wrong. I also bought Daniel two Star Wars shirts for £4 each! Total bargain. 

2. Next

Love love Next clothes for toddlers, hate them for women's clothes but their children's clothes are the best quality I have found for high street stores. They look lovely and last for ages. I do however find them a little expensive for clothes, especially for a mucky toddler. So I tend to only shop there during sales or for special birthday/Christmas outfits.

I have already wrapped it but I recently bought this shirt:

We bought a similar one last year for Michael's first birthday and it looked really cute in the pictures. I wish they had kept the same design as last year but I do think Michael will look great wearing this for his second birthday in September. It was only £6.

3. Mothercare

I recently spent £40 on clothes in the mothercare sale and I got some great clothes. I don't always shop in mothercare because I find some of their clothes a bit plain and boring. However I have found some nice clothes in there and they are affordable. You just have to dodge the toys first before your toddler grabs one!

Just some of the clothes I picked up in the mothercare sale, they were priced between £1:50-£4. 

4. Primark 

Now I have to admit I am not a massive fan of Primark for children's clothes. I find their clothes come up small and do not wash as well as some of the other stores. However they are ok for some bits. I mainly buy Michael's vests, pants, socks and his more casual clothes like tracksuit bottoms and some cheap t-shirts just for running around at home and when we go messy play. That way I am not fussed if they get ruined.

5. Ebay/Charity Stores

Now some people will not put their child in second hand clothes and that is fine. I personally have no issue with them, once I have put them on a hot wash. When I was younger, we were often dressed in second hand clothes and it did not bother us at all! Michael has had some lovely Ralph Lauren shirts that have cost me £5 and he has a leather jacket that was £1:50! 

So you know, go with an open mind. You can find some great bargains. Also toys and books are pretty cheap in charity stores.

Toddler clothes don't have to cost the earth, shop around and shop in the sales! I already have a lot of Michael's clothes in the next size up where I pick them up cheap and put them away.

H.