If you have already kicked off your holiday shopping, then you are way ahead of the game. However, if you are a budget-conscious parent and your little ones are begging for certain special gifts on their Christmas wishlist, the one place to head to is Walmart. That’s because Walmart has a wide selection of this year’s hottest under-the-tree items at great prices that won’t leave your wallet with a lump of coal.
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Here are five Walmart items parents need to buy ahead of Christmas.
Throw Blankets
- Price: $7 to $12, depending on style
The winter months require some extra help to snuggle up and get warm, especially on Christmas morning. That’s why adding a 50-inch by 60-inch Mainstays cozy plush throw blanket from Walmart to your shopping list is a bright and warm idea.
Kyle James, founder of Rather-Be-Shopping called this throw blanket a smart under $15 gift for teens, college kids or teacher gifts. “These patterns get picked over the closer you get to December, so it’s better to buy when the shelves are full,” James added.
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Squishmallows
- Price: $12 to $16
There are a variety of characters to choose from when it comes to 14-inch Squishmallows plush, but one choice is obvious: you can get them for all the kids on your list at Walmart.
“Grabbing one now means parents aren’t paying resale or hunting the week of Christmas,” James said. “Good ‘filler’ gifts for little kids, but teens still like them for beds or dorms.”
Pajamas and Clothing Essentials
- Price: $8.98 to $16.99
Holiday sales aren’t just about the big-ticket gifts, it’s also the best time for parents to stock up on the everyday essentials kids wear year round, according to Melissa Cid, consumer savings expert for MySavings.com, who recommended Walmart’s pajama sets as a good place to start.
“It’s the one time of the year I always stock up on my kids’ basics like socks, underwear, tees and pajamas are at their lowest prices and it’s smart to grab both their current size and the next size up before the deals disappear,” Cid added.
Lego Sets
- Price: $17.99
Kids love LEGOs and you will love being able to make them scream with joy on Christmas morning by shopping for the Lego classic medium creative brick box at Walmart.
“This is the ‘safe gift’ for almost any kid four to 12 and it ALWAYS gets picked over the closer we get to Christmas,” James said. “It’s open-ended, so parents can give it to a niece or nephew, too.”
Video Games and Accessories
- Price: starting at $49.49
“Controllers are the thing parents forget when they buy a console or when kids want to play together,” James explained. Luckily, Walmart has all kinds of Xbox wireless controllers that you can pick up for under $60.
James recommended that parents lock in the price and color now, way ahead of Christmas, so you can be showered with hugs and joy the morning of Dec. 25.
“The holidays are the only time of year I buy video games for my teens,” Cid said, noting that lots of games are often 50% off before Christmas and as soon as the holidays are over, the prices jump right back to full price. “If you wait until January, you’ll end up paying double for the same game. The latest NBA2k game is always on my sons’ list, I save big bucks buying before Christmas.”
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Walmart Items Parents Need To Buy Ahead of Christmas
