It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas and I'm beginning to feel a lot like Santa! Because I have another awesome giveaway to share with readers of The413Mom: a $50 gift card to Once Upon A Child in West Springfield.
Once Upon A Child is locally owned and operated by a Western Mass family. The store offers gently used toys and clothes for kids age newborn through early teen -- discounted at up to 70% off original retail price. Which also means, of course, that the store buys gently used toys, clothes, and baby equipment. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle -- Once Upon A Child is one of my favorite stores around!
I've shopped at OUAC since Eden was a newborn. I can walk through my house or the girls' closets and tick off all of the great things we've found there through the years. In fact, we were just in there earlier this week looking for a chorus outfit -- the classic black and white combo. We found a perfect ensemble but the best part? All of the girls' size 10-14 clothes are 60% off through December 9 and we spent only $7.20 for a dress, sweater, and jacket! Can't beat that.
I've always had luck finding many new-with-tags items there too. There are always some toys in original packaging perfect for gift giving. They also sell new Melissa and Doug toys, which are 30% off through December 15.
If you've never been before this weekend is a great time to visit as the store is holding its Clearance Blowout Sale on Saturday where all clearance items will be discounted an additional 50% from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., 60% from 2-6 p.m., and 70% from 6-9 p.m. There will also be FREE pictures with Santa on Friday, December 9 from 4-7 p.m. (you can either BYO camera or the photographer on staff will take a photo for you and send deliver via email). All clearance items will also be half off all day Friday.
OUAC is often offering special sales or community events. The best way to keep on top of all the goings on is to follow their Facebook page.
So....how to enter this giveaway? Like this post and comment with how you teach your kids that going green is cool. How do you reinforce that used items are just as good (maybe even better) than new? One winner will be chosen Sunday evening, December 11, at 10 p.m. This will give the winner plenty of time to do some holiday shopping for their kiddos!
Once Upon A Child is located at 1458 Riverdale Street in West Springfield. They are open 7 days a week: Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(*Photos submitted by Larry White, Jr.)
My daughter is still young but she appreciates getting and playing with used toys as much as new ones. I plan to have her leave toys for Santa in order to get new ones from him, so that we can pass them onto others.
Posted by: Lisa | 12/08/2016 at 06:42 AM
I buy my kids all natural products and remind them that not only is it helping the environment but helping them live a healthier lifestyle. In addition we always recycle bottles, paper and everything, so we can help keep the world clean. One person can make a difference. My kids also love consignment shops because they know you can get a lot of stuff for not a lot of money compared to spending 100 dollars on just two items..They have learned you are paying for the name anyways..
Posted by: Gina Mancini | 12/08/2016 at 07:38 AM
We have been going to consignments shops since our little girl was a baby and once upon a child is our favorite because all the things are like new and at a fraction of the price. We consign our things to keep the cycle going too. I try to explain how coupons work to her as well to show that you can save money in all areas of shopping. We use reusable bags too! It's great to start them young and have them appreciate what they have:) thank you for all these giveaways!
Posted by: Natalia | 12/08/2016 at 08:08 AM
Luckily my kids are fairly young right now so I don't think they would know or care whether something was new or used. I guess for this reason I should be going to Once Upon a Child instead of ordering more expensive clothes online!
Posted by: Alison Matalanis | 12/08/2016 at 08:56 PM
We always talk about the items "story"... who owned them, where they went, what they did. My girls love to create a history for things and they love to pass their own items on and hope that someone thinks about their stories too ❤️
Posted by: Audra | 12/08/2016 at 09:46 PM
All our girls absolutely love to gift clothes and toys to others and they know giving is the best way to live. The bonus is that it's 'being green' as well! 😁
Posted by: Steph | 12/08/2016 at 10:13 PM