This year’s pandemic-influenced Christmas season is unique in many ways, perhaps most painfully in the limited availability of the season’s most beloved items—toys. Certainly, the major toy companies, like Hasbro and Mattel, will be selling products as usual, yet the seasonal surge in demand has already taken its toll. Shipping delays and register outages have already been reported, leaving many parents and children with empty wish lists this holiday season.
Fortunately, this week’s toy news gives more than just hope—it offers potential solutions to the toy shortage. For parents tired of seeing their kids’ faces fall in disappointment, online retailers of second-hand toys are offering a lifeline. Hundreds—likely even thousands—of vintage and well-conditioned used toys are available from reputable sites like Buy Sell Toys and the Toys Catalog, providing buyers a variety of options for those hard-to-find presents.
Of course, any toy purchased from a second-hand retailer must be evaluated for safety and cleanliness before giving it to a child, but for parents who take the necessary precautions, these second-hand sites offer a great selection of proven favorites and rarities to wow any child.
Rather than relying on unsanctioned retailers or giving in to the exorbitant prices many major retailers are charging, parents can peruse these sites and find something they feel comfortable giving to their children this Christmas. While the toy industry will always benefit from the holiday surge, those shoppers looking to make unique gifts that won’t be found on store shelves this year should look no further than the many, classy second-hand retailers.
Ultimately, Christmas is, and has always been, a time to celebrate the joy and merriment with family, friends, and loved ones. The sadness of the toy shortage should be put to one side this holiday season, as warm Christmas memories will still be made, regardless of what’s found under the tree.
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