News

The time has come to say goodbye to all our company ...

Not yet, but over the next few weeks. Yes, after 8 1/2 years we're closing the doors of Ditto Kiddo.

The biggest reason ...

• Jason and I want to be home more and focus on the family, homeschooling five kids and just plain raising five kids is where I need, and want, my focus to be right now

There are lots of other reasons mixed in with that but that's the short explanation! If time permits over the next few weeks I'll go into more detail.

Get into the store now! As soon as we tell people of our plans they buy, buy, buy because they know that now's the time. We've got some great stuff right now but it's going fast!

We're no longer buying any items, of course.

We'll be honoring all frequent buyer cards that are in circulation until the end of March, but will not be giving out any new ones.

Tomorrow will be the last Grandparent's Day.

We've been asked if the store is for sale ... sure! Jason and I have a price in mind, but are pretty flexible. If you are interested, act quickly because the landlord is actively trying to lease the space.

Will we be marking everything down? Yes, within the next week or two and I'll post an announcement here ... and even the new merchandise, like Melissa and Doug will be included.

Just about everything is, or will be, for sale ... fixtures, hangers, furniture, office supplies.

We're still bringing things out of the back room and will be for a week or two so the stock will continue to change ... but, like I said, hurry in 'cause once the inventory is gone it's gone!

Our years at Ditto Kiddo have been full of joy and the memories are awesome. I'm sure there will be some tears shed before this is over and done with (um, starting now).

$20 Complete Outfits

Wow! This entire outfit is less than $20 at Ditto Kiddo. The sweater and jeans are both Gymboree and the decorative tank top is from The Children's Place.





Here's another unbeatable Ditto Kiddo deal. This dress, new with tags, matching tights also new with tags, and adorable shoes are less than $20! Yes, less than $20 for the entire outfit.


Those are our regular prices ... no special sale, no coupons needed ... our regular every-day prices.

But, just to ice the cake, our sale racks contain great clothing at 25-75% off our regular prices.

Happy Holidays

It's hard to read (it's the draft copy), but it's a 25% off coupon that will be going out to our mailing list. What you're not on the mailing list? Click here and sign up at the top of the page!

Print out the coupon (click on either coupon image ... we're not picky, and print that), bring it in, and receive 25% off any one item during the month of December.

We've got great holiday gifts for all the kiddos on your list and we look forward to seeing you very soon.

Halloween Shopping at Ditto Kiddo

Today I can believe it's fall. I'm loving the nice breeze we've had yesterday and today. While the beautiful weather doesn't have me digging out the kids winter sweaters and coats (I so look forward to the few days they can wear sweaters!) it does have me thinking more seriously about Halloween.

We do have quite a few costumes at Ditto Kiddo, including an adorable clown and a menacing Darth Vader. All are priced between $1.9o and $7.90.

If you're interested in bringing costumes in they must arrive at Ditto Kiddo by this Wednesday, the 3rd of October.

When I was a child we usually made our own costumes. Some years we were treated to a store costume, complete with stiff plastic mask with gigantic eye holes, but most years we made our own. This was in Wisconsin and back before kids trick or treated at the mall so under or over our costume was our heavy jacket ... which kind of distracted from the costume!

But here we are in Florida, where my kids have never had to wear a jacket on Halloween, but where they still often have home made costumes, often out of parts of other costumes, things from the dress-up box, Ditto Kiddo shopping, and a bit of sewing from Mom.

Not only does the "make your own" technique of costuming save money but it allows the kids to be more self-expressive and creative. AND, we've found that the costumes that win the contests are usually home made ... and really really cool!

Last year three of my kids were the Blues Brothers (when they had the little kid with them), one was a good purple witch (using parts of store bought costumes), and the last was a pirate (he's always a pirate).

So what kind of costume could you make from your finds at Ditto Kiddo? Here are a few simple ideas:

denim overalls + flannel or t-shirt + hat + straw or raffia = scarecrow
jean skirt or jeans + white t-shirt + scissor-fringed vest = cowgirl or cowboy
shredded dirty white clothes + face make-up = mummy
jeans + white tee with sleeves rolled up + loafers = James Dean
white tee + white tights + stuffed pillowcase with arm and head holes cut out = marshmallow

For more great ideas, even some instructions, check out these sites:
www.familyfun.com
homemade halloween costume ideas
JoAnn Fabrics
Halloween kids
Budget 101

Shopping to Save

Many of us are creatures of habit and we do not necessarily like change. We shop for the same items at the same store just because that's the way we have always done it. That's unfortunate, because sometimes changing where and how we shop for things can save us a great deal of money.

Here are some examples of shopping opportunities at Ditto Kiddo that will make a difference in your family budget and stretch your dollars!

Jeans ... boys Gap jeans retail for between $19.50 and $34.50 (even more for girls!), at Ditto Kiddo they are just $7.90 or $8.90, depending on embellishments ... a savings of more than 50%

Cribs ... a Ragazzi crib retails for about $799, at Ditto Kiddo the same crib is $199, just a small fraction of the new price

Halloween Costumes ... why pay up to $39 or more for a costume when the most expensive costume at Ditto Kiddo is $7.90, and most are under $5.00

Baby Gear ... a Fisher Price Papasan swing is $139 at Target, and just $89.90 at Ditto Kiddo ... saving you $49.10

Toys ... Target sells the Fisher Price Little People Zoo Train for $14.99, at Ditto Kiddo it's only $7.90

Sweaters ... 95% of the sweaters at Ditto Kiddo sell for under $10, and all are in excellent like-new condition

Books ... Ditto Kiddo sells all kids books for $.50 ... that's a price that just can't be beat!

Winter Jackets ... all jackets are always under $14.90 at Ditto Kiddo

Other benefits to buying like new items at Ditto Kiddo:
**Items are already put together (I know I'm not the only one who has cursed more than once assembling toys and gear)

**Shrinkage ... there won't be any - what you see is what you get, along the same lines you know how the clothing will look after it's been washed because it already has been!

**Recycling ... this one goes without saying, recycling is good for all of us

**Customer Service - have a question, ask us, we're always perfectly happy to give you our honest opinion about products, based on what we've been told by our children, customers, friends, trade publication reviews, etc.