Need advise...buying for nephews and niece

[karice2]

I hope that someone here can help. My niece and nephews are finally living in the area again and since they basically crapped out in the parent lottery, I want to get them some good stuff for Christmas. They are 12, almost 13 boy, 10 yr old girl, 9 yr old boy. If you have read any of my other posts, I have no children and don't really associate with people with children so I am at a complete lost.

Here is where it gets a little sticky, I haven't seen them in about 4 years and I don't speak to my brother (their father). My mom has acted as the intermediary and got their clothes and interests information but I really don't know much about them at all. I am also confused on one of the sizes. A juniors 18 plus for a little girl, where would I find it?

I have set a budget of about $300 per kid. It could be more it could be less. I won't even get to see them opening presents because I don't let my brother know anything about my life or where I live but I want them to know that they have someone in the family that cares about them.

I will not get them the following things because I can't trust that my brother and his wife won't sell or manipulate them to their advantage. NO GIFT CARDS at all, no pricey electronics, nothing that has too much of a value on the resale market. I want to do this because I love them and feel so bad for the life that they have been dealt.

I did get some of the boys stuff at Old Navy on black friday but couldn't figure out my nieces size.

Anyone have any suggestions for what to get the kids? One thing I did think about was maybe an L.L. Bean backpack monogrammed with their name. They move a lot and just thought it would be nice for them to have something personalized just for them to move their stuff.

 

[clh2]

Sorry - I have no advice for ideas. Just that you may want to verify the size for the girl. Junior sizes are "odd" sizes, i.e. 1, 3. 5, etc. There isn't a size 18 for juniors.

 

[riley2008]

I *think* that I've seen the size 18+ in the girls section at JC Penney. My Cousin was wearing the 16+ for a while and that's where we got them.

Too bad you think they parents would pawn the games/electronics. NDSi's are on sale today at Target for $118. (I know what you are talking about though. Several people went way overboard for a family at the school I work. The father let them keep the game system and one game and pawned the other 3 games by New Year's Eve. The game system was gone by Valentines. Talk about some sad kiddos.)

It's a good thing you are doing.

 

[happily single]

For your niece an 18 plus is a girls (not jr's) section. Its basically a "big gurl" size. I would think JC Penney or Kohl's would carry that. Im not sure what size that would translate into in the Jr's section. I would suggest fun socks, such as fuzzies, characters, fuzzy pj pants, make-up, nail polish, hello kitty things. Maybe a comforter or throw blankets? I would go with Twin or FUll size for the comforter. Also a puffy coat from Old Navy. Maybe a ZHu Zhu pet (the battery operated hampsters), some puzzles, arts and craft things?

My boys are into Zhu Zhu pets, hot wheels, with the race tracks, razor scooters, the little skate boards you play with your fingers (oh tech decks), bay blades, nerf guns. In fact, get all three nerf guns and let them have fun with each other. I would also suggest blankets, gloves, hats for them. Espesically if there is a local NFL team they might like.

I know you wanted things that had no monetary value to the kids, but maybe a cheap mp3 p;layer that you open and download with some popular songs.

I think what your donig is wonderful and I'm sure the kids will remember this holiday. Oh yeah, don't forget a framed portait of the family they don't see often (ie you, any other siblings, grandparents) etc.

 

[Kitzka]

Maybe check justice for the girls 18 plus size?

Aside from clothes things I cannot think of:
Hand held game not a ds but individual games. Usually they are about $10 each and would have a minuscule pawn value.

I love tha backpack idea. I worry that the 'high end' ll bean bag would be able to be sold if even for $20. Maybe something of equal quality but not such a well known brand!

A good quality football or basketball for the boys
Lotions, journals, nail polishes for the niece
Books
Boardgames (my cousins that age love trouble or sorry)
Legos
A snuggie or something similar
Maybe a knock off (Colby brand) mp3 player
CDs?
Craft items like makers, crayons, pipe cleaners etc?

I also wanted to say you are a wonderful aunt.

Lara

 

[java]

I love the backpack idea.

18 plus is an odd size- I know 16 plus is available at Landsend. Is she tall or just larger?
What a nice thing you are doing. What about journals- to write their feelings in.

 

[momxx5]

I just wanted to say that your neices and nephew are very lucky to have you in their lives.

May your thoughtfulness, kindness and generousity come back to you tenfold.
Many Blessings.

 

[laurafergie]

As PPs said - the size 18 is in girls and JC Penny has a nice selection.

I suggest books - like a set of Harry Potter, the Girl10 and Boy9 would both like it, my DD11 loves Erin Hunter's Warrior Cat series. Boy13 would like Neil Gaiman's Sandman series possibly.

I saw some Super Soakers the other day - it's off season, but you could get each one for the summer if they have a place to play with it. They are still popular around here with the older ones.

 

[kathmzh]

Your post brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful aunt you are, and they will so appreciate your trying to be part of their lives. I second all of the above ideas...do try to double check that size 18...if it's a plus size she needs, I find that Old Navy (online mostly) and land's End have a wide range. also enclose some stationary and a book of stamps so they can write to you!

 

[hffmnheidi]

Wal-mart has nice, inexpensive backpacks. You could always have someone you know embrodier their names on them or even special iron-on patches.

The photo of their extended family might also be a good idea with a stationery set that has stamps and addresses(maybe set up a P.O. Box for them to mail the letters to because you don't want your brother to have addresses).

Perhaps this is the Christmas to get them more practical items(gloves/hats/socks/toothbrushes/hoodies/blankets) if you are worried about the resale of purchases, but a few splurges are nice too.

You can find a lot of nice things in the Dollar sections at Target and Michaels--no real resale value, but valuable to the kids. Pencils and various school/art supplies might come in handy during the rest of the school year. If you know their school, perhaps ask the office what field trips are coming up and pay for those as a suprise treat and send them a coupon saying you paid for them to be able to go with their class.

Maybe put together a spa basket for the girls with lotions/nail polish/manicure set with clippers and files/bath sponges/bath fizzies. Probably one of the nicest splurges they might get for Christmas.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

http://www.debshops.com/home/index.jsp?

This might help. My DD would be about a size 15 in Jr's and a size 10 in misses.

 

[hambirg]

That is so nice that you are doing this for them. Do you know their shoe sizes, because a good quality pair of tennis shoes is always nice?

For a completely different type of idea. . .I know you said you don't want to have any type of contact with your brother, but do the kids go see your Mom at all? I think it would be so nice if she planned to have them one day, and you could go pick them up, take them to a museum, the movies, out to eat and maybe do a little shopping where they could pick out a few clothes and maybe a toy. I don't know if something like that is possible, but I think it would be the best thing you could do for them. . .give them some time and let them know that they are important to you.

 

[SylviaL]

Bless your heart. Your niece and nephews are so lucky to have you for an aunt.

I really like the book idea. My kids will re-read good books so I would think a complete Harry Potter set or something similar would be enjoyed by all three kids.

I like the monogrammed bag idea, too. I understand you don't want to give them your address but maybe you could hide your email address in one of the bag pockets.

Is there a family membership to a museum/amusement place/theater in the area that they might like? Not sure if their parents would take them but maybe your mom could (and you could meet them there).

Good luck. I'm sure they will love whatever you give them.

 

[badblackpug]

bicycles
scooters
skateboards
the squinkie toys are very popular and very inexpensive (girls)
winter coats
hats gloves
patterned rain boots for girls are very popular here
legos
hot wheels
bakugan (boys)
knex
board games
nerf shooters
school supplies
sports equipment
nail polish
make up
costume jewelry
barbies & barbie stuff
hair things (ballies, barettes, clips, head bands)
books
pillow pets
watches (cheap ones)
purses

 

[3mickeymom]

My boys love this stuff. You can find coupons for buy one get one, or some deals on gift sets right now. For the girls, some Bath and Body Works items.

Another thing not mentioned but that my kids love are these clear balls that bounce super high. They are a little expensive, about $8, but they are fun to play with. My 13 yr old boy loves it and my son in college asked for one.

Knit hats are big with kids right now where we live. The kind with spikes and neck ties or that kook like animal heads . Kids of all ages are wearing these, noys and girls.

My boys asked for Shark watches. They were popular in the 90's too. I see the girls wearing the bright plastic watches too.

Blessings for you and your nieces and nephews.

 

[karice2]

Thanks for all the ideas. I really appreciate the help with the girl sizes. I was at a complete lost. My mom is going to arrange for me to meet up with them so that I can get to know them a little better and get a feel for what they like to do.

I love to read so I had planned on getting some books for the kids. I want to introduce them to the classics since those meant so much to me. I still go and read A wrinkle in time.

My mom does get to see them, I really like the idea of getting a pass for a day out with her at a museum or to the aquarium. I don't think my brother wouldn't want me to see them so I could plan things for us to do together. I am sure he thinks that I would be a positive influence in their lives it is just really painful to see those beautiful children have to go through so much.

I will be in Disney next week and thought about bringing them along but thought that they need to get settled in a new school and need clothes and stuff more than a trip to Disney. I am sure I will clean up at the outlets there. I want them to have a Christmas that they will not forget but also give them things that they really need.

Most of the time, I am pretty selfish because I can be but to see them suffer because of their parents poor decisions makes me want to make up for that.

 

[Beckypooh1972]

What a wonderful aunt you are! I have some experience buying for kids this age and I can offer the following suggestions:

watches - these were always a big hit with our nephews

luggage - kids love anything they can tote their stuff around in

maybe a game system - but something they have to keep at Grandma's house?

musical instruments - drums, guitars, microphones?

Hope you enjoy your time with them - your attention is more valuable to them than anything you could purchase for them

 

[snowywhite89]

I hope that someone here can help. My niece and nephews are finally living in the area again and since they basically crapped out in the parent lottery, I want to get them some good stuff for Christmas. They are 12, almost 13 boy, 10 yr old girl, 9 yr old boy. If you have read any of my other posts, I have no children and don't really associate with people with children so I am at a complete lost.

Here is where it gets a little sticky, I haven't seen them in about 4 years and I don't speak to my brother (their father). My mom has acted as the intermediary and got their clothes and interests information but I really don't know much about them at all. I am also confused on one of the sizes. A juniors 18 plus for a little girl, where would I find it?

I have set a budget of about $300 per kid. It could be more it could be less. I won't even get to see them opening presents because I don't let my brother know anything about my life or where I live but I want them to know that they have someone in the family that cares about them.

I will not get them the following things because I can't trust that my brother and his wife won't sell or manipulate them to their advantage. NO GIFT CARDS at all, no pricey electronics, nothing that has too much of a value on the resale market. I want to do this because I love them and feel so bad for the life that they have been dealt.

I did get some of the boys stuff at Old Navy on black friday but couldn't figure out my nieces size.

Anyone have any suggestions for what to get the kids? One thing I did think about was maybe an L.L. Bean backpack monogrammed with their name. They move a lot and just thought it would be nice for them to have something personalized just for them to move their stuff.

18 plus is a girls size. Since she is only 10 I am guessing that is what she meant. Some use the term Junior to mean older girls who have not moved into teen clothes yet.

J.C Penney's has a great plus area. They even sell the same exact clothes that are sold in the non-plus area so the kids are not embarrassed.


Why not extend the backpack idea to all types of school supplies. Get them fun notebooks with Superheros or the like on them.

 

[southern_redhead]

What a nice thing you are doing, and it will make your Christmas that much better too

I agree that books, warm coats, shoes are good choices. If you know what size beds they have kids that age seem to like having their rooms done up. Perhaps a cute purse and some lip gloss/grooming items for the girl? I would suggest movies but if they are new releases those could be pawned for some small amount of money I like the bookbag idea! You could put their names on them (to reduce the chance the parents could sell them) and then fill it with books, a journal, gel pens, colored pencils, etc...

What about Monster High for the girl? My DD is 8 1/2 and she wants the dolls. You can find those at Justice (and you might check there for clothes as well - when they do 40% off their stuff is actually reasonable.) They have a MH journal as well. The book is cute, especially if they are a good reader. BUT it has some, um, *graphic* scenes. One where the kissing is a bit hot and heavy and one where a guy tells a girl "I thought you might wanna h*mp" which was a joke as he was dressed as the hunchback of Notre Dam but.....I just found it unneccesary in a book geared to tweens (well, just unneccessary in a book period LOL) I had bought one to give as an angel gift with the doll and journal but I decided to leave it out. I will give DD her copy but that line will be blacked out.

For the boys........what about a Nerf Tag set. Not sure of the official name but it has two vest, color coded bullets and guns and it plays kind of like lazer tag I think but with Nerf... Board games for everyone? I wouldn't think you could resell a board game for much but they can be a fun way for the kids to occupy themselves.

Good luck, I go through this every year with my little Angel I buy for. Her older brothers would likely pawn anything they could.

 

[robinb]

I want them to have a Christmas that they will not forget but also give them things that they really need.

First of all, let me say that I admire what you are trying to do. Kids do need a positive influence in their lives and it sounds like your brother and his wife are far from it. That being said, I think you need to sit and reflect exactly why you feel the need to go nuts over kids you have not been allowed to see in over 4 years. Is it for THEM or is it for YOU to show your brother and mother what a great person you are? I don't mean to be snarky, but I get the feeling it is a little of both.

I think if you show-up your brother with an extravagant Christmas for your niece and nephews it could seriously backfire on you. And yes, I think $300 per child is extravagant. The kids are bound to be overwhelmed by so many gifts and your brother will think of you as a walking dollar sign. I would recommend that you scale back to some clothes, a couple toys and some stocking stuffer type gifts. Get to know them first. That is what is important. Spend time with them, take them to local places (NOT WDW!), have them over for dinner. Being the "rich aunt" is a not a positive role model. Money does not buy love. As much as these kids deserve a "Christmas to remember" it is really just a band-aide for a much bigger problem that I think you will just make worse with your current plan.