Help Me Play Santa For A Friend...

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I have a friend that really needs some help...However, he is too proud. I have another friend that is in on this, so I can get around the awkward "you shouldn't have" bit...my bases are covered there...

Where can I find some simple Xmas gifts for a 5th grader (boy), 2nd grader (boy), kindergardener (girl), and 4 year old (boy)???

What do your kids like in those age ranges?
Where are some of the best deals?

I have a little extra this year and want to help my friend. Isn't what this holiday is about anyway???

TIA!

 

[lovintennessee]

Amazon.com has a ton of great deals today on toys. I picked up several things. But if you do order online I believe the deadline to have before Christmas delivery is this week.

I love amazon.com since all orders $25 or more ship for free and no sales tax.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Amazon.com has a ton of great deals today on toys. I picked up several things. But if you do order online I believe the deadline to have before Christmas delivery is this week.

I love amazon.com since all orders $25 or more ship for free and no sales tax.

Awesome...Now, I have to find out what they like!!! This is a little harder than I thought..but is more than worth it!

 

[kamikazecat]

My 4yo is heavily into Legos. I would imagine a lot of boys are.

I think it is great that you are doing this for your friend

 

[lovintennessee]

For the two older boys I would say Bakugan and Transformers. For the smaller boy I would say Disney Cars or even a truck that he could push. I have a 5 year old boy and he loves trucks and Thomas the Tank.

For the girl any kind of doll would be loved.

 

[KBazzel]

My youngest daughter (5) asked for the girl gourmet candy jewelry maker, chixos, dress-up clothes and make-up, ds games, a wow wee alive baby animal. She also loves littlest pets and the jewelry sets where she can make her own anklets and bracelets and stuff. She loves coloring and crafts. TRU has some sets (totally me) that she's really enjoyed. My youngest is very much a girly girl. The more is sparkles the more she likes it.

Unfortunately, I only have girls so I can't help you much with the boys. I do have a couple nephews (5 & 3) and I know both of them are into transformers right now.

You're a very good friend.

Kira

 

[solfan68]

My second grader is really into Nerf. Here's a two pack that could be shared with the older brother or played with a friend !

http://is.gd/5hnvP

 

[stefplus3]

That is so sweet of you!! It is EXACTLY what the holidays are about

My son is 10 and in 5th grade. He's into baseball cards, wrestling (figures, rings, dvds, etc), legos, video games (maybe get a gift card to blockbuster for a game rental if they have a system?).

My dd is 4 yr old and she's into anything princess related. Dress up clothes, dolls, etc. She's big into pretend right now...think tea sets, play food, etc.

We do have a few friends with 4 yr old boys...they're into matchbox cars, those little trains, geotrax (some sort of train but they're not the wooden trains).

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Awesome ideas! thank you!!!

 

[MickQuinn]

I think what you are doing is wonderful.

My mom and I always used to find someone to help out who needed a boost during the holiday. My dad didn't mind... it made us happy. Shopping for others like this is so much fun. It always made the holidays feel extra special.

If you have children, you might want to consider involving them in buying and planning for this other family. My favorite Christmas memories revolve around scheming a way to surprise them!

BTW ... My ds is also in 2nd grade. Legos are definitely at the top of his list and they are something that kids get a lot of "play value" from.

 

[richmond282]

My DD5 loves anything Disney princess (dolls, dress up clothes) and Barbie. She asked Santa for a Nintendo DS and a baby doll that poops (Baby Alive doll). She loves pink and frilly.

My DN4 loves Thomas the Tank Engine and Disney Cars. I think if you get any sort of matchbox type vehicle or trains, most boys are happy with that.

I don't shop for any older aged kids so I can't help you there.

Good luck and what a wonderful thing you are doing!

 

[r4blessings]

So funny.....I have a 5th grade boy, 2nd grade boy, k daughter and 4 yr old son AND we also live in NY! But I know you aren't talking about me.....we are so lucky to be so blessed!

But, I can give you some ideas! Nerf guns are a huge hit with all my boys, and many sets are sold as a two-pack which makes it tons of fun! My older two boys love to skateboard in our driveway and you can pick up regular skate boards for $15 or so at walmart or amazon. They also love legos, k'nex (which have really good sales and you can get a set for as little as $20), bakugan and the army sets that TRU sells.

My daughter is totally into her baby dolls and barbies and her AG dolls. We bought quite a few Our Generation dolls ($20 or so at Target) for birthday gifts this year for her friends and everyone loved them. She also loves her barbies and any kind of craft kit.

My four year old used to love Thomas the train stuff and Cars, but now he really plays with his older brothers and their stuff. He got Spongebob and star wars legos sets, a radio flyer scooter (around $30) and quite a few playmobil sets. You can get playmobil for as little as $5-6 for the small sets to the much larger sets. I like to buy my 4yr old this kind of stuff, b/c he loves to play with it, but also b/c my older kids also enjoy it, and I find that they all play together. Its very open-ended play and he is learning valuable play-skills from his older siblings. Matchbox cars, plastic dinosaurs and arts and crafts types of stuff are always a hit!

My 5th grader is also starting to get into clothes, and will often ask for certain brands for his birthday, but Christmas around here usually means toys! And maybe b/c he has younger siblings, but my 5th grader still plays a lot with his toys. Also, there is also refurbished ipod shuffles for $39 dollars or so on the apple website...if you know they have acess to a computer...that and an itunes gc would be cool.

Good luck and have fun! You are helping to make happy memories for your friends children and you will touch your friend's heart in a way that he will always remember. No parent EVER forgets when someone has helped their children.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I think what you are doing is wonderful.

My mom and I always used to find someone to help out who needed a boost during the holiday. My dad didn't mind... it made us happy. Shopping for others like this is so much fun. It always made the holidays feel extra special.

If you have children, you might want to consider involving them in buying and planning for this other family. My favorite Christmas memories revolve around scheming a way to surprise them!

BTW ... My ds is also in 2nd grade. Legos are definitely at the top of his list and they are something that kids get a lot of "play value" from.

No kids in our family...yet...So, this is just as much fun for us! The girl that is helping me has a couple surprises coming for her...she just doesn't know it yet... (She is housing this individual and his kids at the moment...)

My DD5 loves anything Disney princess (dolls, dress up clothes) and Barbie. She asked Santa for a Nintendo DS and a baby doll that poops (Baby Alive doll). She loves pink and frilly.

My DN4 loves Thomas the Tank Engine and Disney Cars. I think if you get any sort of matchbox type vehicle or trains, most boys are happy with that.

I don't shop for any older aged kids so I can't help you there.

Good luck and what a wonderful thing you are doing!

Thank you...It seems that TTHE and Cars are pretty standard...

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

So funny.....I have a 5th grade boy, 2nd grade boy, k daughter and 4 yr old son AND we also live in NY! But I know you aren't talking about me.....we are so lucky to be so blessed!

But, I can give you some ideas! Nerf guns are a huge hit with all my boys, and many sets are sold as a two-pack which makes it tons of fun! My older two boys love to skateboard in our driveway and you can pick up regular skate boards for $15 or so at walmart or amazon. They also love legos, k'nex (which have really good sales and you can get a set for as little as $20), bakugan and the army sets that TRU sells.

My daughter is totally into her baby dolls and barbies and her AG dolls. We bought quite a few Our Generation dolls ($20 or so at Target) for birthday gifts this year for her friends and everyone loved them. She also loves her barbies and any kind of craft kit.

My four year old used to love Thomas the train stuff and Cars, but now he really plays with his older brothers and their stuff. He got Spongebob and star wars legos sets, a radio flyer scooter (around $30) and quite a few playmobil sets. You can get playmobil for as little as $5-6 for the small sets to the much larger sets. I like to buy my 4yr old this kind of stuff, b/c he loves to play with it, but also b/c my older kids also enjoy it, and I find that they all play together. Its very open-ended play and he is learning valuable play-skills from his older siblings. Matchbox cars, plastic dinosaurs and arts and crafts types of stuff are always a hit!

My 5th grader is also starting to get into clothes, and will often ask for certain brands for his birthday, but Christmas around here usually means toys! And maybe b/c he has younger siblings, but my 5th grader still plays a lot with his toys. Also, there is also refurbished ipod shuffles for $39 dollars or so on the apple website...if you know they have acess to a computer...that and an itunes gc would be cool.

Good luck and have fun! You are helping to make happy memories for your friends children and you will touch your friend's heart in a way that he will always remember. No parent EVER forgets when someone has helped their children.

Thank you! That was very helpful.
I'm actually doing this from a distance...The family is about 700 miles away. We all met in college. He deserves a break...and I know if/when (hopefully not) he finds out I'm going to have heck to pay...the wrath of him will be worth it!

 

[r4blessings]

well, you could always use amazon and have it shipped to your friend's house, or walmart site-to-store shipping......

You are an amazing friend and are really an example of what friendship AND Christmas is all about!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

:

well, you could always use amazon and have it shipped to your friend's house, or walmart site-to-store shipping......

You are an amazing friend and are really an example of what friendship AND Christmas is all about!

thank you.
My only concern is that they would have shipping orders in them with my info on them...I'm trying to do this semi-stealth. Is there an option to have receipts sent to me??? and to keep things under wraps?

 

[Ericandus]

Don't forget simple ideas like play-doh, puzzles, and coloring books and crayons!! I saw where Old Navy is having their women's fleece on sale this weekend for $5! Maybe the kids sizes are on sale as well? I know the kids will be thrilled with toys, but might they need a warm jacket too? Just a thought. You are a wonderful friend!!

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

What about that Trio King's Castle that everyone is price matching at Target. It's originally $79, then you price match to K-Mart , use the $10 peelie, and use Target coupon to get it for around $15. Sounds good for the 4 year old boy! I also vote for Littlest Pet Shop for the little girl. My second grader still loves playing with hers. How generous of you!

 

[slamzim]

When you order, you can mark it as a gift, and have the option of the gift message, then I don't think any of your info will be included. Just a thought. Good Luck.

Also, Littlest Pet Shop is a huge hit with my girls for a few years (they are 6 and 8).

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Don't forget simple ideas like play-doh, puzzles, and coloring books and crayons!! I saw where Old Navy is having their women's fleece on sale this weekend for $5! Maybe the kids sizes are on sale as well? I know the kids will be thrilled with toys, but might they need a warm jacket too? Just a thought. You are a wonderful friend!!

Little things are already on the list! and I will definitely check old navy...that is awesome!

What about that Trio King's Castle that everyone is price matching at Target. It's originally $79, then you price match to K-Mart , use the $10 peelie, and use Target coupon to get it for around $15. Sounds good for the 4 year old boy! I also vote for Littlest Pet Shop for the little girl. My second grader still loves playing with hers. How generous of you!

I'll have to look that one up...

When you order, you can mark it as a gift, and have the option of the gift message, then I don't think any of your info will be included. Just a thought. Good Luck.

Also, Littlest Pet Shop is a huge hit with my girls for a few years (they are 6 and 8).

I've been thinking about wrapping the gifts in brown paper and tying them with just regular string. Then, writing a note for each one signed "From Santa"...but that might be going overboard!

I am truly having so much with this...despite it being b/c of a rough situation...even DH is in on it!