I have no idea what to get for my 4 yo who basically has everything. What are some good preschool gifts that don't have a bunch of tiny pieces (because the baby will be mobile then!) , don't require a lot of parental help, and aren't a tablet?
Post by littlesthobo on Sept 29, 2016 16:03:25 GMT -5
For Christmas last year, we got DS1 (2.5 years) a wooden train set. It's great because we can continue to add to it each year, with fancy bridges and such. He loves it!
I've heard good things about magnatiles, and they're on my "maybe" list for DS1. But lots of pieces.
I picked up a child sized broom and dustpan for him because he loves cleaning!
Post by sarcaztic10 on Sept 29, 2016 16:17:39 GMT -5
For stocking stuffers we get L a little bit of candy, socks, 100 glow sticks (he likes to get one a night before bedtime to wear), and a small toy or something.
This year our gifts are going to be very practical for L. He will be getting a loft bed for his room and probably a new bed spread, I'm thinking Phineas and Ferb. Then I will have to think of one or two small things to get him. Probably books.
Post by melody330 on Sept 29, 2016 16:27:01 GMT -5
We ask for "experiences" like swim lessons, aquarium, Story Book Land if you're in the NJ/PA/DE area is good. Then whoever gets it for them usually takes them. They toys for DS1 (2.5) I have are- Melissa and Doug Water Wow books M&D stamp set Crayola Color Wonder sets Mr potato head set
Post by madamewaffles on Sept 29, 2016 16:41:27 GMT -5
I love the Toys That Get Played With site. They have suggestions grouped by age. I've been using it for years for MH's nieces and they are spot on with both kid and parent.
Post by ellebelle on Sept 29, 2016 20:55:46 GMT -5
DD1 will be almost 5 for Christmas. She's asked for Shopkins, Barbie Star Light Galaxy doll and DVD, Barbie Spin Art Design, a light up Elsa doll, Disney Princess Cupcake game, and super hero Legos. Most of those have small pieces so don't know if they'll help you. But in the past we have done books, clothes, interactive books like the ones that Usborne makes, and memberships to museums/activities/aquarium/etc.
Super bad with this too. I've no idea what we'll get or boys (9&11) for Christmas. Pretty much anything pol on related will be a win. Maybe an iTunes card for our oldest? Anything hockey-related is a win for him too, stocking stuffers usually are rolls of hockey tape, etc. Middle kid likes drawing so maybe an art set.
My mom asked what she should get Flint and I was like Uhm.... Nothing? He's a baby? Lol she pressed so I said he could use another couple sleepers and pants.
Anyone have any hand-made gift ideas for grandparents? I'm trying to save some $$ this year since funds will be tight with both DH and I on EI.
We ask for "experiences" like swim lessons, aquarium, Story Book Land if you're in the NJ/PA/DE area is good. Then whoever gets it for them usually takes them. They toys for DS1 (2.5) I have are- Melissa and Doug Water Wow books M&D stamp set Crayola Color Wonder sets Mr potato head set
Post by Susan0utLoud on Sept 29, 2016 22:08:08 GMT -5
We'll be putting a convertible car seat on the list for dd. Not much else since we have tons of toys for her already. If people insist on buying her stuff and they will, I have a small Amazon wish list for her with some random things that would be cool for her but aren't necessary.
With ds we asked for toys he would grow into or bigger items we knew were looming, like car seats.
Post by littlesthobo on Sept 29, 2016 22:32:45 GMT -5
Ray for grandparents, maybe a home-baked cookie tray that they can serve to visitors? Get a tray at the dollar store they can keep. Or I'm sure a frame with a picture of bébé and hand/footprints will be loved! Or homemade hand/footprint ornaments.
Post by melody330 on Sept 29, 2016 23:46:36 GMT -5
We made bird feeders last year. DS1 loves to watch the birds so we did that with a small bag of bird food. Very cheap and DS was so excited to give it to them!
If you have Pampers rewards they have shutterfly books sometimes.
We will probably implement this when HK is a little older, but I saw this on FB and love it. It also cuts down on presents so it doesn't get out of hand which is easy for me to do.. Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.
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DD1 turns 4 12/19 so I have to come up with birthday and Christmas presents 😭 So far I'm thinking a bicycle, a Baby Alive, a marble run, barbies, books, and probably a few articles of clothing. shr gets majorly spoiled by all of her grandparents, so I'll try not to go too crazy.
I'm sure I'll need to get the baby a few presents in order to keep the whole Santa thing going for DD1. I guess some baby toys? Board books? I definitely need to look into matching Christmas jammies.
We will probably implement this when HK is a little older, but I saw this on FB and love it. It also cuts down on presents so it doesn't get out of hand which is easy for me to do.. Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.
I wish I could convince our family to do that! DD1 has been the only grandchild and only niece on both sides of the family. She probably gets 10 presents from each set of grandparents, 3 from her aunt and uncle, 3 from each of the 2 great-grandparents, and a present each from several of DH's and I's aunts and cousins. Plus my mom saved all my toys, so she already has a ton of stuff like the original marble works, wood doll beds and high chairs, etc. It's seriously overwhelming and I'm out of space for all this crap.
tootsie we have a zillion baby toys but I've resigned myself to the fact that we'll have to get more because we can't let DD think her little sister gets nothing.
Just reading this thread reminds me how much I hate junky toys. Even as a kid I preferred imagination play and being outside instead of toys. Why did I have a kid again? Lol.
Post by housecarder on Sept 30, 2016 14:06:17 GMT -5
littlesthobo I got my nephew the magnatiles and my sister said they are his favorite. So I might buy him more this year. He's 3.
I struggle with Christmas since DD's bday is late November and DS is February. So I feel like Dd has everything already and the things I come up with for DS I want to save for birthday. Last year they got new bikes but they couldn't play with them for some time.
Handmade for grandparents: -paint sharpies and let the kids decorate coffee mugs (big coffee drinker) -all the footprint/handprint things - I took colored clay one year and used cookie cutters to make a shape that they pressed their thumbs in to over lap and make a heart then baked it into a keychain. -ornaments -pictures
I'll hit Pinterest and be back with he things we've done and liked.
We will probably implement this when HK is a little older, but I saw this on FB and love it. It also cuts down on presents so it doesn't get out of hand which is easy for me to do.. Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.
I tried his with H and he about rioted. His family always goes overboard, to the point where the kids were tired of opening presents by the end. Please, MIL, get a few quality toys and not 20 cheap ones for the sake of quantity.
tootsie we have a zillion baby toys but I've resigned myself to the fact that we'll have to get more because we can't let DD think her little sister gets nothing.
L will probably get a high chair (I hate our old one and want an IKEA one) and baby food like pouches, mum-mums and cereal. A box of diapers might look nice all wrapped up too! Ha ha.
tootsie we have a zillion baby toys but I've resigned myself to the fact that we'll have to get more because we can't let DD think her little sister gets nothing.
L will probably get a high chair (I hate our old one and want an IKEA one) and baby food like pouches, mum-mums and cereal. A box of diapers might look nice all wrapped up too! Ha ha.
For DS1s first Christmas I wrapped empty diaper boxes.....he was 11 months old and DGAF about presents. But ripping paper off boxes? Hell yes!
Post by rungirlrun on Sept 30, 2016 15:37:43 GMT -5
My kids get/will get very few gifts from us for the holidays. We have so much crap, and we do buy gifts periodically throughout the year. DS1 has been getting 2 - one for Hanukah and 1 for Christmas (H is Jewish). He will prob get a puzzle (loves them) and some other fun toy. We don't have a huge family and request that no one gets the kids a lot (people respect it). We generally get clothes, books, and a magazine subscription. And I have a couple family members who buy something small but contribute to the 529s. That is much more appreciated and helpful than cheap toys!
Baby will prob get some clothes. Maybe a new rattle or book. If he can't wear it or it's not smaller than my hand, I do not want it taking up space in my house.
So, am I the only one who's IL's wouldn't like homemade presents?
The IL's must have real gifts their family does not like homemade gifts or gift cards. They are very material.
Nope, my MIL is this way. If her children don't spend enough money on her she gets pissed. All the adults in the family make wish lists for themselves. It's so strange to me. I feel like once you all have children, you stop by gifts for all the adults too. Unpopular with H's family.
So, am I the only one who's IL's wouldn't like homemade presents?
The IL's must have real gifts their family does not like homemade gifts or gift cards. They are very material.
Nope, my MIL is this way. If her children don't spend enough money on her she gets pissed. All the adults in the family make wish lists for themselves. It's so strange to me. I feel like once you all have children, you stop by gifts for all the adults too. Unpopular with H's family.
This is ridiculous. Both sides of our family do Secret Santa for all of the adults. You buy your 1 present and you're done. Simple. No one is wasting money on crap.
So, am I the only one who's IL's wouldn't like homemade presents?
The IL's must have real gifts their family does not like homemade gifts or gift cards. They are very material.
Both my mom and MIL don't like cutesy kid crafts. They both have super perfectly decorated houses and would never display them. I've given MIL a couple things that I thought might make the cut- a garden stone with handprints and picture frames for kid art that allow you to easily swap the aart out, and they are nowhere to be seen. Now I just stick to Shutterfly books.
So, am I the only one who's IL's wouldn't like homemade presents?
The IL's must have real gifts their family does not like homemade gifts or gift cards. They are very material.
She could use an etiquette book.
We make a shutterfly photo calendar for all grandparents every year (4 calenders since my parents are divorced and there's a set of great-grandparents. Tweaked with different pictures for eat side) Now they look forward to it.
The best thing I ever did was suggest we just buy gifts for the kids a few years ago. My side was all for it. SIL on DH's was mopey the first year but then she took a pay cut and now every one loves it.
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