Remember the Argos catalogue? Spain’s Christmas version has a rather cheeky price tag

Anyone who grew up in Britain will remember the excitement of the Argos catalogue around Christmas, spending hours circling toys and compiling an ambitious wish list. Families in Spain have their own festive brochure, but someone has found a rather cheeky way to cash in on it.

El Corte Ingles’ traditional Christmas publication is being advertised for between €4 and €8 on second-hand marketplace Wallapop, despite being distributed free by the department store.

The issue attracted attention after a shopper complained on X (formerly Twitter) on November 8, 2026, that she had visited a store to collect a copy but was told they had run out. According to her account, a second delivery had arrived but disappeared within just two days.

Her post included images of online resale listings, prompting criticism from people who questioned why anyone should charge families for a publication intended to be free.

A free Christmas tradition becomes a resale opportunity

For many Spanish households, the arrival of the annual toy catalogue in stores is an important part of Christmas preparations. Children enjoy browsing the pages, choosing their favourite presents and making their wish lists ahead of Christmas and Three Kings’ Day on January 6.

Much like the old Argos catalogue in Britain, the printed book allows children to spend hours looking through toys and dreaming about what might be waiting under the Christmas tree.

However, this year’s resale controversy is not entirely new. Spanish publication Trendencias reported similar complaints in November 2025, when parents described repeated unsuccessful trips to stores in search of a copy.

At the time, some customers reported being told there had been printing difficulties. El Corte Ingles disputed claims of a general stock problem, with its press office telling Trendencias on November 25, 2025, that catalogues were available in stores and new copies were arriving every day.

Collectors are asking much more for older editions

Resale listings are not limited to this year’s publication. One particularly eye-catching advertisement reportedly offers a collection of 34 El Corte Ingles toy catalogues dating from 1992 to 2026 for €1,100.

Unlike individual copies being advertised for a few euros, older editions may appeal to collectors interested in the history of toys, advertising and childhood memories.

How to get the 2026 El Corte Ingles toy catalogue for free

Families who cannot find a printed copy do have another option. El Corte Ingles provides a free digital version of its 2026 Christmas toy catalogue through its official website.

Launched on November 3, this year’s edition includes more than 100 toys exclusive to the retailer and over 60 new products from its own-brand range. The retailer has also announced a Christmas shopping promotion running from November 2 to November 25. Qualifying toy purchases above €10 receive a 25 per cent promotional balance, which can be used on qualifying purchases above €40 between December 17 and January 5, subject to the published conditions.

For parents hoping to recreate those happy childhood memories, there is no need to pay a reseller to browse the Christmas wish list. The digital catalogue offers a free alternative, even if nothing quite replaces the excitement of turning those printed pages together.