I buy end of season. I got my son a new winter jacket from Target right after Christmas last year for under $9. Not bad since size 8/10 are hard to find on clearence for boys around here. I also got my daughter a great pair of winter boots from Walmart for $5. I will be looking for sales and at consignment shops for gloves and hats just in case.

I purchase the end of season. I also make sure that I purchase fleece on sale at the fabric shops too in case I need to make some mittens and stocking hats.

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Happily married to my geek
Proud homeschooling, cloth diaperin, attached parenting, slinging, simplier, breastfeedin, sewing mama mades, christian and funky mama to my precious daughters and a little BOY

My MIL got a kid's Columbia coat from a friend at work. It is black and red and too large for my son this year, but fits my daughter. So she will be wearing that one this year. I bought her a pair of red Land's End boots on sale for $23. They are unisex, so next year when my son grows into the coat, the boots will also be his size. My son's coat from last year still fits him. Hopefully I'm not scarring my daughter for life by making her wear boy's clothes! She is a size larger than him so I often buy boys clothes for her in things that he can wear after her- khakis, plain jeans, t shirts, etc.

I also wait until the coats go to rockbottom prices at Sears or JCPenny. I also got great vests from Old Navy and Children's place that they are wearing now with sweatshirts under them and in the spring when it's warming up they'll wear them again! I also stock up on extra hats/mittens/gloves at end of season when they come to about a dollar or two! : )

I feel like boots are harder to buy ahead, as well!

I bought ds 1 & ds2 coats last year after they were on clearance. They did get new snow boots this year. We had some gloves and hats leftover from last year. I will buy more as they go on clearance. I havent got them snow pants yet. I need to find them some. I looked at the thrift store and no luck. Last time I saw some at Walmart, they were $30! I hopefully will get them some before too long.

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I buy coats long before the season. It is more cheaper and usually on sale.

I got DD a beautiful Hanna Andersson coat from the outlet during a sale for $26. Younger DD is wearing older sis's handmedowns. Still need some boots but I think those will be a Christmas gift. We don't get enough snow to invest in snow pants.