Can you think of something that could ruin your child’s Christmas morning? What about when you go to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for gifts or get them yourself? I know it may seem silly to think that anything can make a day filled with new electronics, toys, and games bad, but I can think of one reason why those items would not make someone smile. YOU FORGOT THE BATTERIES!!!! Today I am partnering with SheSpeaks and Duracell to talk to you about the batteries we use and why they are the most important thing you may buy this holiday season.
Let’s be honest here… almost everything (it seems) takes batteries. While I am reviewing products for our holiday gift guide, I am going through batteries like crazy. Just in the past 2 days I have used 9 AA batteries. It isn’t just this time of year though. We use a ton of batteries all year round, so we buy them in bulk! That is one of the best things we’ve done and it started when Johnny was just a baby. I was going through Duracell D batteries much faster than I expected because our swing was put to use (a lot!) as well as the bouncer and other baby gear. I wanted to never run out of them when I needed them so we started buying them at the local warehouse store.
The same is true now and we are well past the baby stage. Now though we have TV remotes, game remotes, and kids’ toys. So many kids’ toys. Because I have so many products that need batteries, I want to make sure I get ones that last. Duracell are the batteries we choose and have been for years. Not only do they last, they are also dependable. Duracell batteries have never let us down. Duracell is the #1 trusted battery brand of first responders, pharmacists and parents, so you know it’s a battery you can trust.
I use Duracell batteries in my thermometer and pulse oximeter, two of the most important items in my household. I would be not only scared and worried, but frustrated too if I went to use our pulse oximeter when Jemma has breathing problems only to find the batteries no longer work. I trust Duracell batteries to be there when I need them.
We keep a bunch of batteries in storage. In fact, I never have less than 10 batteries of our most used sizes on hand. Duracell batteries are perfect for this. With a 10-year guarantee in storage with Duralock Power Preserve Technology, they can sit until you need them without fear of them draining. You can either buy a 4-pack to have on hand for use right away OR you can purchase Duracell in a 16-pack, meaning you will have more when you need them.
I can’t imagine a Christmas morning without batteries. My kids would be devastated to have new toys and not be able to use them. It would certainly put a damper on our day. I encourage you to add batteries to the top of your list this year! I keep a list as the products get wrapped so I know what I am going to need to make sure I have enough. In addition, whenever I give a gift that needs batteries, I always try to include them. That way I don’t have to hope the receiver has their own batteries. Again, what fun is a gift that can’t be used?!?
Duracell CopperTop batteries are available in AA, AAA, C, D and 9V. You can buy them at Walmart or other retailers. Connect with Duracell on Facebook and Twitter.
kristine foley says
Batteries are a well known stocking stuff around these parts 🙂
Debi (thedeb83) says
Oh my gosh I always forget the batteries!!
Stacy says
Oh man! I always forget the dang batteries! Thanks for reminding me-especially with a baby in the house!
Lix says
Oh god, what a spot-on post. I remember when I used to get presents and toys and there was always something that ran with batteries but came without them, and of course the shops were closed on the day. So important to check how the things you’re buying run and make sure to toss batteries in if they need them!
Rebekah says
Hubby and I have joked that we should have bought stock in Duracell with the amount we buy.
Breanna says
SERIOUSLY! Batteries are a staple that everyone needs – especially if you have kiddos! Of course they want to play with all of their new toys!
Tanya Coffman says
Oh you are so right! Batteries are going on top of my list. Maybe I should just tell everyone else to get ME batteries this year and nothing else? It would make sense considering how much I spend each month with 3 boys…lol
Veronica says
Exactly what I always forget every Christmas. Manufacturers need to include batteries with joys. Just sayin
Rosey says
If I buy someone a gift for Christmas, I always tape batteries to the wrapping paper. I think it’s not fun for the kids to wait.
amanda mcmahon says
Every family needs batteries – Great stocking stuffer 🙂
Danielle says
This post just reminded me that I am out of AA batteries. I had to look all over the house today for some. lol
Celeste says
My kids are constantly asking me for batteries or reminding me that a certain toy is out of batteries (unfortunately for them, that is usually on purpose because talking toys are…. rather annoying 🙂
Ayana Pitterson says
Batteries are like water — A MUST! lol. I am definitely partial to duracell too.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Amanda says
I always forget the batteries! Thanks for the reminder to stock up!
Amanda Love says
Most definitely batteries. With almost 90% of toys now needing them, I can’t be without them.
Pam says
My husband will only buy Duracell and we always have a drawer full of them. I am sure families with small children have a million uses for them on Christmas morning. I know we did when our kids were young.
Amber NElson says
You can never have enough batteries, that is for sure!
Erica Brooks says
Yes, batteries can make or break a gift experience. At least now you can run to a local 24 hour store and pick some up if you forget. When I was younger you had to wait until the next day to play with your toy. LOL
Annie says
We suck at buying batteries for our home, haha. This is a great reminder, thanks!
Heather says
Those batteries sure are important. Nothing bugs me more than a toy requiring batteries that doesn’t come with them.
Chelsea says
I swear I never have batteries when I need them. In fact, my mouse batteries died the other day so I went and bought a giant pack of these exact batteries so I’ll never run out!
Bri Radke says
Great post. If I ever get a battery operated toy or gadget for someone’s Christmas gift, I also include a pack of batteries.
Pam says
I remember when my daughter was little, we had to run out in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve because we had forgotten to buy batteries. We never made that mistake again.
Liz Mays says
This is so true, I’ve forgotten about batteries many times. Fortunately a lot of things use chargers now. Phew!
aimee fauci says
I always make sure I go to a wholesale club and stock up on batteries at all times. It’s tough though when the fire alarm goes at a 2am and I forgot to stock up.
Shipra says
This is true. Batteries do indeed power the Holidays. Lights and all, but most of all, those new toys the children get. And, their parents, too. 😉
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
This is such a good reminder LOL How frustrating to have something brand new to play with and not be able to do it?!
amanda ripsam says
I used to work at radio shack and you would never believe how many racing cars, gadgets and gismo’s people would buy for their loved ones and all I had to do was say did you remember that it needs batteries and I would get my bonus spiff. lol Batteries are in everything I would remind them and that if you don’t need it for the things your buying today think about those remotes and game controls lol I love shespeaks I was a featured blogger on their once
Katie Matthews says
Haha so many Christmas’ failed because we didn’t have batteries for the best toys! My parents argued over the fact that my dad was ‘sure the toy came with batteries in the box’ Why don’t toys come with them included?!
Katie <3
Nicole says
A million times yes! Unfortunately, this is also the one thing I always forget.
Jeanine says
Thanks for posting this! I ALWAYS forget batteries. Alllllllways. It’s awful. Nothing is worse than kids opening gifts and not being able to use them or play with them because silly mom forgot batteries!
Brenda says
Ooohhh definitely important! Never want to have a sad little rugrat whose brand new toy didn’t come with batteries!
Rena McDaniel says
Great reminder! I always forget the batteries and we end up emptying TV remotes and everything else we can find to get those toys going so the screaming will stop!
Terry says
We go through a lot of batteries. We don’t even have any young kids at home
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
OMG yes, thank you for the reminder. I always have to stock up before Christmas.
karissa says
This is so true. Hate when we don’t have batteries for new toys.
Lois Alter Mark says
We always stock up on batteries now. Nothing worse than getting a new gift and not being able to use it because you forgot the batteries!
Laura says
We always try and check and make sure we have batteries for the things we get the kids but grandma…. that’s another story!!! She always buys them tons of stuff that needs batteries but then forgets them!!
Heather says
Ha ha good call! I ALWAYS forget to check and see what gifts need batteries and it’s the worst thing ever to tell a kid they can’t play with their new gift because we have no batteries and the stores are closed! 🙂
Claire says
Can never have enough batteries around! Even if it comes with batteries it will run out!
Natalie says
We’re terrible at buying batteries–we always forget! At this point, I think we just need to buy stock in Duracell and have them ship cases to our door every year! 🙂
What the Bride Wore says
Yes! great reminder!!
Angie Scheie says
This is a good reminder we probably need some more. We keep them in the fridge to last longer, but I’m sure that doesn’t mean forever!
Lauren says
LOL I have heard of this rule. The kids I nannied for had every toy imaginable on Christmas morning one year…and no batteries. The parents had to take some batteries out of other things to make due until a store opened up!
Leah says
You can never have too many batteries! Especially if baby/children’s toys are around. Haha!
Deidre says
Oh batteries – the forgotten part of EVERY gift. We are the worst about purchasing batteries at our house.