Taking the pinch out of Christmas - OC and LA specific

For families with children, Christmas time is a magical and costly time of the year.  Especially if one parent has decided to stay home to raise the kids, money can be tight.  Here is a way a parent not employed outside the home can leverage their flexibility to create comparable economic value for their home.  What I mean is you can increase your budget either by bringing in more income, or reducing expenses.  This is where Mattel comes in.

Mattel is a large toy manufacturer.  Most of you will know the company.  For those of you who do not, think - Barbie and Hot Wheels.  Mattel is located in El Segundo, California and at their facility they have a large laboratory called "Imagination Center" where one can sign up to become a toy tester.  The testers they target are children under 10, but mostly under 8, and the moms of such children.  For participating in the test group, the child is given a toy and (sometimes) a gift card.  The test is usually an hour or so.  For the kids, they really just want to have the kids play and answer a few questions.  Sometimes they ask that the kids bring a friend.  Then, it becomes an interesting and fun play date adventure.

Not only is this a great way to collect some neat toys you know your children will want for Christmas but the gift card can help to buy additional presents.  Now, this next statement may offend, shock, or whatever the reader...but here goes.  If your child is young enough, they may not even know that they were given a toy.  You can discreetly put that toy to the side until a later time, such as Christmas or Birthday.  You will know the child likes the toy as he/she picked it out.  If your child is of school-age (6+), I don't even suggest you try it.  Nonetheless, you do have the gift card.

You must sign up to be a toy tester and respond to their email when they send out testing opportunities.  Here is the link.  http://www.mattelimaginationcenter.com/