So I bought my first "official" Christmas present for my preschooler today at Goodwill...a new in package game tin with the classic card games War, Go Fish, Old Maid, and Crazy 8's. It was $1.99. I try to save as much as possible and go thrifty on gifts. Of course there will be some serious hankering for newer toys. Here are a few things I am considering...

Fisher Price's Imaginext Space Moon Set. The Imaginext toys have went over well with our son in past years. Space is a big deal at my house right now. Don't all boys go through a phase with it? Aliens and astronauts and all that business? My only beef with it is that it seems to be one of those Target-available only toys. Not that I don't love Target or anything, but I do love competitive pricing! This isn't bad at $17.99 I suppose, but of course my son also loves the accessories, if you will...

Above is the Fisher Price Imaginext Space Shuttle and Tower. It is $39.99. Yikes. But it was very cool. Very cool.

And here is the Fisher Price Imaginext Space Vehicle. Not too shabby at $11.99.

And of course we would need the big ole Fisher Price Imaginext Space Alien. A smaller alien sits atop his head. This one would be non-negotiable. At $5.99 he would be well worth the joy he'd bring.

The entire set is a whopping $75.96. Ouch.

Moving along...the next object of my son's desire that I think is educationally worthy is the Fisher Price Trio set. Think Kinnex, but simpler. The basic building set for kids ages 3-5 is $30 and comes with a storage case. I am all about the storage case. Organization is my friend. My little guy hasn't seen this in person yet, but he has spent a fair amount of time drooling over the commercials.