Welcome to a sponsored post from Kmart. Don’t freak out that it’s about Christmas and it’s only June. THAT IS THE POINT of this post.
Here’s Moira (“from the giftshop”) to tell you how we’re going to make Christmas easier for you and how you can win a $100 Kmart gift voucher….
It’s June and I can finally speak about Christmas without totally falling apart. Just.
You see Christmas last year was very stressful for me. I had 18 people coming over for Christmas lunch and I was so stressed that I could think of nothing else. I placed so much emphasis on ensuring the perfect lunch that I had completely neglected the gift buying. Like completely. Till days before Christmas.
Not only can buying toys be an extremely costly experience, it is also a logistical nightmare. What to buy? Where to buy? Where to store (away from prying eyes) ? and how on earth to afford the entire Christmas haul en masse?
How I wish someone had told me about the Kmart toy sale in July.
Getting in early is what it’s all about. This year I will be organised. This year I will shop for toys in July
The Kmart toy sale starts today – Thursday 1 July and runs till 14 July. During that time I can pick and select at leisure all the toys I need with extended Christmas layby available on all items in the catalogue. Do you have any idea of how much difference this will make to Christmas shopping? Let me outline it for you.
1. I will not have to trawl through shopping malls finding the perfect shop for a toy for the baby of my friend, one my daughter who believes she’s a fairy and then a separate one for my 15 year old nephew. The Kmart toy sale covers all ages with hundreds of the latest toys, sporting goods, video games consoles and accessories at incredibly low prices. Why, I can even buy something for the biggest kid in my life – the man I married!
2. I can spend hours at home in peace and quiet browsing through the catalogue online (you can do that here) making rational and educated toy choices. I am often reminded that I bought my 9 year old son a beading kit last year because I was in a panic and that was all I could find. I’m looking forward to Christmas shopping with proper list, I will know what everything costs and exactly what I need to buy.
3. Kmart has ridiculously long opening hours. Some stores are even open 24 hours! You can browse the catalogue for 23 hours and still have get time to get to the store before it closes. Although you probably should not drive there if you have not slept in a 24 hour period.
4. Every item featured in the Kmart Toy Sale catalogue will be available on both the Christmas layby and the standard eight-week layby. The Christmas layby is probably the next best thing to Christmas. Seriously. Because….
- You pay in instalments until Christmas, making it easier to budget
- Even if items are not on the shelf, you are still guaranteed the Toy Sale price
- The stock is held at the store, away from prying eyes until Christmas
- There is no interest on the instalments, unlike credit cards
Can you resist that? I can’t. And I won’t. Too clever by far.
And listen to this. After you’ve made your list online you can just breeze into your local Kmart store and head straight to the layby counter with your printed list. Hand it in and they’ll do the rest. No crowds and no trawling through the shelves.
And it gets better. Kmart and Mamamia are going to work together to help you find the perfect gifts for the kids in your life. Just tell us a bit about them – maybe age, gender and interests) . The Mamamia community will be able to respond and suggest toys and so will a Kmart spokesman – so you get personal shopper assistance both from Kmart and from helpful strangers who have been there and bought that.
And there’s more! Kmart have 3 $100 gift vouchers for Mamamia readers. Simply tell us in 50 words or less why you need the voucher and you could be the lucky winner. The 3 comments that get the most thumbs up votes will each win a $100 Kmart gift voucher*. Competition closes 5pm EST on 9 July 2010
So get commenting, get suggesting and start winning. Don’t forget to check out www.kmart.com.au for some inspiration.
Please click here for full disclosure details
* This competition is only open to readers in Australia – big apologies to our many overseas readers. This competition is now closed – well done and congratulations to Shusannah, Danya and Young Vintage
187 Comments so far
My husband lost his job last week (company went bankrupt) with no garantee of stable income and with so much debt im so guilt ridden and embarresed that i cant buy the gifts my deserving children want a $100 gift card would help so much how does santa do it!
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what should i get for my three boys age 5, 2 and 1. ive got oodles of fisher price which i love but i need some other ideas. maybe some activity/ crafty ideas for the older 2 and something for bub. i think i have enough fisher price little people to man a u.s aircraft carrier. help!!!
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Hi Hayley – one of the top toys for up to 3 years is My Puppy Pal Scout Green ($25 in the Toy Sale). Scout connects to the computer so you can customise the music and personalise the learning with your child’s name and favourite food, animal and colour. You can also download learning tunes and lullabies from an online list of 30 songs. Lots of fun!
For your older two, there are lots of craft activities in the Toy Sale. For your 5 year old, how about the Toy Story 3 activity case ($19), including colouring fun, pens, paints, chalks, stickers and crayons.
And Yummy Dough ($15) is edible play dough – they can make, shape, bake and eat! A wonderful twist for a classic toy.
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A doting Aunt,
Of three gorgeous boys,
Heading to Kmart,
Shopping for Christmas toys.
Buzz Lightyear and colouring books,
For Master Six,
While Mr Three prefers,
Diego and soccer ball tricks.
The baby is easy,
Lots of soft, cuddly toys.
Please vote for me,
So I can spoil those boys!
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you have some serious rhyming talent, well done
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I volunteer for a charity that supports families with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care & Special Care Units at hospitals in Melbourne. Every year for christmas we send all families in these wards a little gift to try & brighten their christmas day and let them know they are being thought of. A $100 gift voucher would be fantatic, as it would go a long way to helping us buy some cute pressies for the bubs. Having a bub in hospital at christmas is very difficult and this is our way of trying to make it a little nicer for the families
)
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If I could click 100 times I would! A very deserving cause.
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THANK YOU…
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I would use the voucher to help pay for some of the toys that I have on layby for my baby’s first birthday and Christmas as we have had a rough year with our finances and have been really messed around with our bank and the extra money would help us out heaps.
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I would use the voucher to buy presents for children in hospital over Christmas.
I am 30 now but I very clearly remember when I was 12 yrs old I was in hospital over Christmas time. I woke up Christmas morning to find a girls lockable diary wrapped at the end of my bed and a small teddy bear. It made such a sad time being in hospital a little happier for me and the others kids in there.
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It’s my little girl’s first Christmas and can’t wait to shamelessly spoil her. Unfortunately we are a one income family and its definitely going to be hard. This would definitely help us along!
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I’d love a K-Mart gift voucher to help my boys aged 5 and 6 feel a bit more special. This is the first year their Daddy has been in the Army and it has been 5 months since we have all been together. This would make them feel soooo special!
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Is it wrong or selfish to simply admit I want it for myself? There are some nice knits in Kmart I would love to update my wardobe with!!
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I would buy 200 chupa chups and some red and green ribbon with the voucher, tie each chupa chup with festive ribbons and then brighten the day of 200 random people.
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I’d love a Kmart voucher for clothes, son is growing so quickly, to save the poor little boy getting teased for those dreaded trackies that are to short. Boys have become so fashion consious, it’s unbelievable. Honestly the rate he’s growing he gets more clothes than me, but at Kmarts reasonable prices I can get more for my money.
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I would donate the voucher to the preschool where my two older kids & my lucky last baby attends. I am sure that they will find some arts & crafts supplies, puzzles etc. at K-Mart and will be enjoyed by many children in the centre.
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Please vote for jOY …..!!!!!This is for a great little childcare …much needed toys…. Vote for Joy!!!!!! Love Dolly
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I don’t want to use the voucher to buy toys – I need it to buy the kids CLOTHES!! They grow faster than they get bored of toys – and I have grandparents, aunts and uncles doing the toy shopping without any prompting!!
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I would put the vouchers towards pressies for my children, nieces and nephew and make them from their Grammy as it is their first christmas without their beloved Grammy (my mum). Good luck to everyone <3
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So many of these posts made me realise I don’t need a Kmart voucher at all. There are many that deserve them I had to stop reading down the list – I voted for as many as I could but there were so many sad stories. Good luck to all of you xo
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I would be able to take presents to my 3 grandchildren up in Brisbane, I have’nt seen them for 7 years. I had planned to go next month to meet the 7 yr old. If I won a gift card I’d buy them a toy from Kmart each.( Nanny Clause )
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please if you are really nice people witch i think you are and i would really like to bye some things from your beautiful shop i would love a voucher thankyou and kmart is my favourite shop to shop at because you have lots of things and toys and it just is magnifisent thankyou from mark i love kmart.
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I’d like a voucher to buy baby things for my sister in law who is now pregnant with a much wanted baby and was so supportive of me during the last year with my baby son.
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With a $100 K-Mart voucher I’d buy some luggage for my two girls. We are having our first holiday as a family and will be flying together on a plane for the first time. They would be chuffed to have their own little carry-on bags like big people.
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I have a boy that will be 12 months at Christmas time. Any must have gift suggestions? I also have to buy for a boy (6) girl (5) boy (4) girl (2)
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Hi Beck
There are lots of fun Fisher Price “Laugh and Learn” toys in the Toy Sale which are perfect for 12 months.
The “Laugh and Learn Workbench” ($23) will give him an early introduction to the alphabet, counting, shapes and colours. 3 interactive learning modes and lots of tool friends bring the workbench to life, with sing-along songs and tunes. And you can even turn the volume down for quiet play!
For your 2 year old, My Pal Violet ($25) is one of the top toys and will give learning a personal touch. Violet connects to the computer so you can customise the music and personalise the learning with your girl’s name and favourite food, animal and colour. Violet comes with 5 pre-loaded songs, or you can select and download from an online list of 30 songs.
For your little boys, you can find lots of LEGO items suited for their age-groups. If you choose a few different sets – helicopters, poice cars, trucks – they can even build together. It really is one of those toys that never gets old.
Last but not least, your girl (5) will love the Let’s Cook Fruit Factory ($34). She can mix up smoothies, icy poles and more – and you can all enjoy the results!
We hope this helps, and you’ll find lots more in the catalogue online – http://www.kmart.com.au
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I would use the voucher to buy presents to put under the wishing tree at Christmas time. I have loads of presents to buy but would use every cent of the voucher for the wishing tree
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I’d use the $100 Kmart voucher to buy my children school clothes, my third child starts kindy next year and I’d love for her to be able to wear a few new things to start school (especially new shoes).
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It sucks to be third in line sometimes! My third child wears so many hand-me-downs from her siblings that I sew and knit stuff for her quite a bit. At least that way she gets new stuff, even if it isn’t new from a shop.
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I would love the Kmart $100 gift voucher, as child I remember being given present for xmas one hear when I thought mum (divorced mum or 2), was too broke. I discovered later in life that the presents came from the Salvation Army. If I win, I would like to buy presents for other kids how needs a nice xmas (I do this every year but a few extra presents would be great). I will prove I donated the presents
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I had the same idea but for the wishing tree. I cant imagine how sad christmas can be for some people and surely this could help a few families.
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I would buy my mum a present, its her first birthday living away from us (her kids) in a small country town, she is finding it a little lonely as my dad (reaosn of moving) works really long hours!!!!!
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My husband would love a $100 Kmart vouchers so he won’t have to put in as much extra overtime to pay for Christmas
More time at home with myself and his two children.
Fabulous!
x
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I would give it to my sister for christmas as her sons first birthday is on Dec 27th and her second baby’s due the week before! Its also her husbands birthday in December and he has not worked since March. So the K mart Voucher would definately come handy!
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I have a new baby, and 2 new nieces or nephews all to be born early next year as well as a 3 year old. I’m still trying to pay off the credit card from last christmas when my husband has lost his job, so gosh this would help!
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My step dad walked out on my mum and two sisters (Paris 5 and Ciara 3) on christmas eve, they havent heard or seen him since, so i would spend the money spoiling my sisters and mum to make up for last christmas.
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I dont work so for 12 years I and my two boys fundraise for schools and charities voluntarily and put a gift under the Kmart Xmas Tree and If I win we will be giving it to afew children.
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I’d love to win a Kmart voucher to celebrate my little sister’s huge achievement in her Scouts stage performances. She’s performing nine shows throughout the school holiday period and she’s making me SO proud!
I’d love to show her how proud I am of her achievements, dedication and enthusiasm.
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I’d love a Kmart voucher so I can get some gifts for those people who helped my fiance and I out recently when we were jobless, homeless and broke.
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I make just enough to cover our expenses and still miss out on time with my daughter. My hours aren’t stable so I never know if I can afford the Christmas laybys but I want to get my 3 year old a trampoline.Mother guilt anyone?
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Give it to Kaz’s daughter. She sounds lovely.
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Oh dear… I only have 50 words? Bugger. Well it would be nice to win one wouldn’t it? I think everyone would like one. But lets not be the girls who elbow each other out the way when the bouquet is tossed eh?
xxx
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frankly i used to run away from that bouquet (now married so perhaps I didn’t run fast enough
)
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Ok Lana, just read your blog after I posted mine. If I win, I will give it to the Royal Children’s Hospital or the RSPCA.
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This post has shown me that I can give to the community easily through K-Mart. I will buy a gift and put it under the tree this year at Christmas.
My husband and I, even through difficult times give to charities that WE feel are entitled to receive.
The Smith Family provide school books, bags, uniforms etc available to suitable families who can’t provide these basic necessities for their children.
The Royal Children’s hospital because my husband feels that kids can’t look after themselves, so people like us should.
For me, it’s the RSPCA because animals can’t make their own choices either. Royal Guide Dogs for the Blind because they make a difference.
This doesn’t make me a candidate for the gift card, and I hope they go to people like Danya. However, it is a timely reminder that there are people out there who really need a hand and a small investment from us can make a real difference to the outcome of those who really need it.
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well said. and its not just gifts or money charities and individuals in need. i think alot of charities and people are grateful for a helping hand or a bit of time spent just talking.
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Just a little admin note here – as much as we would love to give out Kmart vouchers to all the needy MM readers, this is a competition. We need to abide by competition rules and vote on the best comment in under 50 words.
We would love give a voucher to every deserving reader but alas… not today
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Oh I feel bad. I want to give it to people more worthy than I. But my fridge broke, and I’m using an esky. I’d really like a fridge (and monopoly!), and $100 voucher would superbly help right about now.
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frankly i used to run away from that bouquet (now married so didn’t quite run fast enough
)
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What about giving one to Cate Bolt? She’s just back from her charity’s work in Indonesia. Even $100 at KMart would get so much stuff for the kids she helps!
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I have three little boy By’s with a never ending need for action and fun. Life is never boring at our house, but can get expensive, keeping them occupied. Did I mention the 3 mid-year birthdays?
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I live on a Disability Pension as I have an incurable auto-immune disease. I am happy to go without birthday presents, mothers day, christmas presents, luxuries etc. My daughter turned 5 in May, she is the happiest, most beautiful child. She never complains about not having as many toys as her friends. She never asks for things when we go out shopping. Occasionally her Grandfather (my Dad) will give her $5, and I take her to the $2 shop or a charity shop. She feels like a million dollars
Last year, the week before Christmas, a relative gave her $20 to spend. I showed her all the catalogues and let her pick out things that she could afford with her money. We went to K-mart and she picked out a beautiful doll. On the way out she walked over to the wishing tree and put the doll under the tree. When I asked if she understood that her doll would be given to another little girl, she said “I have other dolls, there might be a little girl somewhere who won’t get anything from Santa. That would make her very sad, so she can have my doll.”
I was so proud of her at that moment. Often as parents we try to pass on values to our children, and we don’t always know if those lessons really sink in.
I like to think that she is given so much love that missing out on lots of ‘things’ won’t matter. But just once, I would love to be able to take her shopping and tell her she could pick out anything she wanted. Every child deserves to feel special, at least for one day.
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Your little girl sounds like a beautiful soul – I hope you win.
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So gorgeous! What a sweetheart.
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My apologies to everyone who has ‘liked’ my post. I have just realised the posts must be under 50 words to be eligible (it’s totally my fault, I didn’t read the original post correctly).
My apologies to Mia, I would have never intentionally breached the rules.
Good luck to everyone who has entered
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I hope you win one too. How special for you to be able to do that if you do win.
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Just being nosey now…
How much does everyone spend on Christmas presents for their kids?
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$150 each
Around abouts
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My kids all have birthdays in the month before Christmas (3 scorpios..) so if they get a ‘big’ present, it would generally be for their birthday (eg. last year son got a desk, middle daughter a DS). So then Christmas presents are a bit lower key, but still a bit on the spoilt side. Maybe $150ish each?
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Wow, I feel a bit mean. I’m about $60 max.
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WE PUT A GIFT UNDER THE KMART TREE EACH YEAR FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE AND IT WILL BE BIGGER AND BETTER THIS YEAR IF WE WIN THE $100.00 VOUCHER AND MY KIDS WILL ENJOY THIS EXPERIENCE OF GIVING.
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I don’t “know” anyone ..I am voting for the ones I like when I read their 50 words or less.
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If I won the voucher, I’d give it to Danya. I don’t need it. And she does. She’s lovely but going through a rubbish time. I think it would make her Christmas a little less stressful.
x P23
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$100.00 would be divided and donated towards the K-mart Xmas Tree and my children would be honoured of choosing a child from the Tree and selecting the relevant gift at Kmart to put under the Tree. It will be so much fun to give to others.
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I think its the best idea so far
Good Luck
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Its good to get the kids involved in the xmas gift especially your idea of donating to this magnificent idea. You won me
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mum can i buy a boy a scooter like the one i have with that money???
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I have read many of the posts can I say what are great idea Kmart has offered to allow our ideas to rub off on each other like mine with the Kmart Wish tree – I hope more come on board to help long lasting memories for others.
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I’m about to have baby number three, and whilst generous friends and family have handed me on clothes and equipment, it would be lovely to buy a few new things for the new member of the family
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I know I would put the voucher to very good use. Do I NEED it? No more or less than everyone else. It would certainly make for a Merry Christmas, what with every penny being watched these days. Good luck guys!!
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I’m posting on behalf of Danya (not that she’s asked me to, or isn’t capable of doing so herself) as I don’t have kids yet and think that she’d get more benefit from the $100 than I would (i’d just spend it all on underwear and dvds probably!). I know it’s a drop in the ocean, but it might go some way towards letting the air out of the shitfuck truck’s tyres
xo
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I have two children aged 2 and 4 – we just cleaned out the baby/toddler toys they no longer use, cleaned them and donated to a local women’s refuge. So – a voucher would go towards restocking the toy chest and rewarding them for being so enthusiastic about giving their good toys away!
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3 kids, one half renovated house, a massive cable laid for me on my toilet floor this morning by the 3yo and generally just trying not to lose my shit. $100 to spend at Kmart on something for the kids would make my day. Simple.
It is best to play Justin Timberlakes “Cry me a River” whilst reading this, adds to the worlds smallest violin effect
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Isn’t the voucher from Kmart not Target
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Yes Anonymous. See how fecked up I am, I can’t even get THAT right.
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There’s nothing like a bit of cable work to bring you back down to earth. That and cleaning up kids vomity hands whilst driving in peak hour traffic.
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