Group Christmas gift for kids I don't know well?

[LisaR]

I have some cousins that live in another state that I just don't see often or know really well. I have always bought a family game for them but I would like another option this year.

The kids in one family are 10, 7 and 5 y/o boys and girls. The other family has girls that are 6 & 3.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[hffmnheidi]

Movie themed basket with candies/microwavable popcorn/snuggly blanket/gift card to video store or netflix short-term subscription. That way you cover all the age groups.

 

[LisaR]

Movie themed basket with candies/microwavable popcorn/snuggly blanket/gift card to video store or netflix short-term subscription. That way you cover all the age groups.

I love this idea but I do know that both families already have Netflix.

 

[luvmy3]

What about a game basket filled with family board games, or movie theater gift certificates.

 

[Mommee]

connectagons! Hearthsong sells them.

 

[LisaR]

connectagons! Hearthsong sells them.

Those are awesome! I love the butterfly set for the girls, especially. I wish they had these when my kids were little. Thanks!

 

[Mommee]

Those are awesome! I love the butterfly set for the girls, especially. I wish they had these when my kids were little. Thanks!

No problem. I think my own kids are getting them this year because I want to play with them

 

[Jitzy]

Flag football sets, small nerf balls, chalk. We played games outside even when the kids were little. All of us together so the little ones were safe and had a chance to catch and run with the ball.

 

[ratlenhum]

Movie theater gift cards, a family friendly video game, or a gift certificate to a fun/family friendly restaurant, this way if they want to go out to eat Mom and Dad have no reason to say no

 

[stitchlovestink]

How about a movie basket with a Disney DVD (Toy Story 3 is coming out next month) and some popcorn/ candy. Or how about a gift cert to a place like Chuck E Cheese or Dave & Busters? Are they close enough that you could get a gift cert to a zoo, aquarium, or children's museum?

Or for the older ones, how about a gift cert to a place where you paint your own pottery? That's very popular around here starting as young as age 5.

Good luck! Decisions like this are always difficult for me too.

 

[powellrj]

I know people always mention movie gift baskets, but don't most families buy the latest Disney DVD anyway, so it would just be getting the family something they already have.

I use to do movie gift baskets, but I always left the movie out and got a gift card so they could buy a movie that they don't already have.

 

[brymolmom]

I would just do a restaurant gift certificate.

OR

If you don't want to buy a BIG certificate big enough for the whole family...How about something for the house itself - a frame engraved with their last name or a Welcome mat that has their name?

OR

Food related is good....you can find a local bread company or other who might deliver and buy a bread/muffin/cookie basket and get it delivered - I always used to do this for my babysitter's family because I figured they ALL put up with my kids a lot and they deserved some treats.

 

[mel63]

I have also done a movie basket, but I did not include any movies. I bought the individual popcorn tubs from target, one for each kid. Then a large red bowl, for the "parents/basket." Bought all the different flavors of microwave popcorn that I could find (caramel, marshmallow, extra butter, cheddar, kettle etc). I made 4 baskets. I opened/divided up the popcorn, to give 1 package of each flavor to each basket. I bought movie size boxes of candy for each, 3 or so boxes for each. I also included red plastic cups, not disposable, one for each person. Wrapped it up in a cellophane bag with a ribbon.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Depending on your budget...

Bowling gc
Movies gc
Zoo or Aquarium or Children's Museum pass/membership
TRU/Walmart/Target gc, one for each child (my ds LOVES to get gc!)
Laser Tag gc
Mini golf gc
Wii game (if they have Wii) like Active Challenge

Specifically for the girls:
dollhouse
Snippits or similar type place hairstyle gc
Claire's or other accessory type place gc (for hair stuff/jewelry)

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

How about a hot chocolate basket? A mug for each person, some different flavors of mix, marshmallows, and candy canes.

 

[2TxAgs]

Not sure how much you want to spend...I agree with the PP - what about a family membership to the zoo or kids museum? A GC for the bowling alley or mini golf along with $$ for a pizza or burgers afterwards.

Backyard croquet or badminton set?