The Toy Insider shares tips for smarter Holiday Toy Shopping
The Toy Insider is sharing its expert advice to help shoppers find popular toys, secure deals and make the most of their holiday budgets as Christmas approaches.
The toy resource for parents and gift-givers is offering practical tips to help consumers shop with confidence as wish lists take shape and retailers introduce seasonal promotions.
Ali Mierzejewski, Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Insider, said shoppers still have plenty of opportunities to find toys children will love at prices that fit their budgets, even if they missed the major October sales.
Starting with a plan
The Toy Insider recommends starting with a plan by checking children’s wish lists, setting a budget for each child and coordinating with family members to avoid duplicate gifts.
Shoppers are also encouraged to look beyond children’s top choices and consider age-appropriate alternatives inspired by their favourite characters, hobbies or activities if the requested items exceed their budget. The Toy Insider’s Holiday Gift Guide offers options across different ages, interests and price points.
Shop with trusted brands
The company advises consumers to shop with trusted brands and retailers and to check who sells and ships products when buying online. Third-party sellers may offer counterfeit toys at suspiciously low prices or charge inflated prices for hard-to-find items.
Timing matters
Timing is another important consideration. Shoppers may want to buy popular toys when they find them at an acceptable price, as availability and restocking before the holidays are not guaranteed. For other items, waiting for promotions such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday may be an option. Following retailers through email, app notifications and social media can help shoppers track deals and restocks.
The Toy Insider also reminds shoppers to check whether batteries are required and included, and whether toys need assembly before wrapping gifts. Duracell is the official battery partner of The Toy Insider, with links to required batteries available through its Holiday Gift Guide.
The 2026 Holiday Gift Guide is presented by Walmart.