Need ideas for presents (xmas and bdays)

[deva]

I'm looking for some ideas from other parents. Right now I feel like we have just about every toy out there. By this time each year, I usually have a big list of gift ideas, but not so much this year. I have three kids (their ages at Christmas will be DS 8, DD5 and DD 2.5). On top of that, DS's birthday is in October and middle DD's birthday is on Christmas Eve - so I need more for them in a short period of time. I also get lots of questions of "what to buy" from grandparents etc. (which is why I try keeping a list for each).

So I'm wondering if any of you have any suggestions based on a gift your kids have really enjoyed. I should mention that for DS we already have plenty of legos, bakugan and star wars. We don't plan on ever buying him any type of handheld videogame (DS etc.).

DD's love princesses, dolls, Dora and dress up, but again I'm feeling like we have enough. (and the poor littlest one - I'm always telling people not to buy things if we already have something similar).

They all have bikes and scooters.

So what is something unique your kids have enjoyed?

I'll offer a few suggestions of my kids' favorites if anyone else is in the same boat:

Fisher Price Piggy Bank (simple, but my kids and all of our guests pull this out)
Crocodile dentist (fun, quick game for the younger set)
Spy safe (set a secret code to keep your stuff locked up)
Nerf guns

 

[MSSANDRA]

What about gifts of experences?? Family passes to the zoo or local theme park or movies or just ice cream with mom and dad. Lots of family games such as sorry or uno cards.

I know you said no hand held games but what about a Wii? Lots of good active family fun there.

Books, art supplies, "Fun" clothes you might not buy anyway such as spiderman PJ's or cowboy boots.

 

[Perditamarie]

Here are some of our favorites:

http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1251719355&sr=8-1

I love the fairy wonderland, pirate ship and tower of doom castle here:

http://step2.com/specials.cfm

Also, a big wooden dollhouse large enough for barbies could be fun for years too,so worth the initial investment! We also love American Girl dolls.

I think experiences like a Science Museum Membership, Karate Lessons, Swimming Lessons, Gymnastics lessons, etc are an excellent idea. We are also getting a Wii this Christmas....long, long winters and this will be fun to keep kids active.

The kids also love cans of playdoh, magazine subscriptions and Build a Bear gift cards.

 

[dizneechic]

Here are what we've picked up lately that my ds8 and ds6 both really enjoy.

Picturka game - on sale at Walmart this week for 18
http://www.amazon.com/Parker-Brothe...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1251721017&sr=8-2
I also purchased this for my ds6's 1st grade class since recess in inside most of the winter, the teacher is always looking for ideas and games for the kids.

Scrambled States game -
http://www.amazon.com/Gamewright-5505-Scrambled-States/dp/B0009XBY1W/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b
This also has a book, but it's not necessary to own both. We've played this at a friends house and its great, ours just arrived the other day. I'll be purchasing another for ds8's 2nd grade class.

Snap Circuits -
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...t_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
Both of my boys love building (lego, mindstorms, erector, etc) so this seemed logical into the world of understanding electronics and how they work. It's extremely easy to understand and even my dd4 can make simple functional connections with it, yet it's complicated enough for my ds8 to sit with it for hours and build elaborate set ups. They have smaller versions and more elaborate ones as well, the 300 is middle ground and a very good one to start out with (we also have the 500 in 1 lab).

Blokus -
http://www.amazon.com/Educational-I...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1251721736&sr=1-2
Simple and addictive game, great for all ages. Our school uses this in the guidance office to have kids play while they observe strategy, teamwork, cooperation etc. My ds8 and ds6 had so much fun every time they got to go that they came home requesting for us to buy it as well.

FYI we are not a "game playing" type of family although it seems like it by what I suggested. The games I suggested are ones that the kids can play pretty much independently (or with minimal supervision) and still have a lot of fun with.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

What about gifts of experences?? Family passes to the zoo or local theme park or movies or just ice cream with mom and dad.

We've tried to encourage similar gifts because my kids really do not need anything at all. My mom/stepdad have been great, the kids will each get tickets to a ball game or movie or such. (One on one is the kids' favorite, I think They'll usually make a day of it, sleepover (without their sibling at their house. Usually involves supper out somewhere fun and then chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast... they've gotten a gift, plus memories galore.

If relatives are far away, they could still do this, maybe with a request to report back to the grandparent how the game was, or what they thought of the movie or what rides they went on, exhibits seen, etc. Gives them something to talk about, also. Something we sometimes have trouble with on the phone.

My grandparents in law have switched to savings bonds. Yeah, I know nothing exciting for the kids, but they will appreciate them when college hits!

 

[dalton165]

My DS is 10 and LOVES football. He is the only kid I know that wakes up in the morning and goes straight to ESPN news

For him it's football cards - he even has gotten his friends hooked. It's not too expensive and it's a collection - for some reason my kids love collections.

For DD she's 6 she loves LPS - again its a collection thing.

For both we found that family board games are some of the best gifts. We try to have a game night 2x a month. Our favorite - Spongebob Monopoly.

Look into Cranium games - like Hulaboloo. Even your little one can play with the other ones!

 

[lyv4him]

What about gifts that could last for a lifetime and can never rust or decay?....like memories, and life lessons?

Have you every thought of taking your children to feed the homeless or give toys to needy children for christmas? Or make cookie boxes and give them to neighbors?

We were very poor at one time that for Christmas we would give one of our posessions away to another relative and wrap it up very pretty. It was always appreciated. I still remember a book my mom gave me that was one of her favorites (Gone with the Wind).

Also when I was younger my aunt took me to feed the homeless and it taught me to appreciate what I had even more.

Another thing that stands out are surprise family trips....my mom would pick us up from school....and she would be driving and driving and pretty soon we realized she was taking us to Disneyland!

I'm sure that whatever you come up with will be perfect. The fact that you are posting this thread shows how much you care for your family.

 

[HLDisney]

I second Snap Circuits. My DD7, who is very into science really enjoys it.

Another idea that has gone over big with my DD and also as a birthday gift is to give teacher supplies (a pointer, calendar set, attendance chart, name cards, daily schedule, etc) My DD loves to play teacher with her stuffed animals and she loves to have supplies similar to what her teacher uses.

Helen

 

[kohlby]

Some ideas of things that my kids have and love: (My kids are a 6 year old boy who thinks he's older when it comes to toys, a 3 year old girl, and a baby. I'm clueless about a gift for my baby).

*Doorway Puppet theater and puppets. It could be a combo gift for your two youngest.

*Wooden play kitchen and play food. Once again, a combo gift.

*Board games such as Chess, Battleship, Sorry, Monopoly - DS1 has a star wars monopoly game that he loves. He also has an Indian Jones Life game that he loves but I don't care for it. DD, DS1, and both of us parents enjoy blockus.

*DS1 also has Snap Circuits and got it for Christmas last year. My nephew (9 years old) also got one but a different kit. Both kids love it.

*Books - DD loves any books, DS1 is really into Goosebumps and Choose Your Own Adventure type books. My 9 year old nephew loves Harry Potter.

*We also do a zoo membership and a science museum membership.

*Art supplies - The 3 year old loves any art supplies. For your older child, get adult quality type paints and brushes instead.

*Binoculars, telescope, microscope, magnifying glass, etc. Two Christmases ago, my oldest got adult binoculars which adjusted enough to fit a child. They were much better quality than the kids ones. Not indestructable though they haven't broken yet. Don't forget to check the adult products for the oldest child since they are sometimes better.

 

[aladams2]

Love the movie theatre ticket idea and passes to things. I may have to borrow that idea.

What about a karaoke machine. My DD6 just got one and loves it. She doesn't read fast enough yet, but it plays regular CD's that she knows by heart and she sings along to that. Everyone that has tried it had a good time. Fun family night.

 

[QVCshopper]

I second (or third) American Girls. QVC is having a show on 9/13 from 3-4; their prices are better than buying from AG directly. Then people could buy extra dresses & accessories (not cheap). Also, legos (or duplex) sets are great; don't take up a lot of room, etc.

My wood kitchen, train table, and tool bench get played with every day, as well. I have the Educo kitchen and tool bench--they look great in the room together.

And I really love memberships. We belong to the zoo, a local garden, and children's museum. They bring joy (and "free" activities) all year long.

 

[deva]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I think DS would love the circuit kit. I do love the memberships as well- and would recommend this type of gift to anyone. We've received some as gifts and purchased some ourselves. Another neat gift my sister got my daughter was sponsorship of the turtle cove and the local nature center - she loves seeing her name up there every time we go.

I'm hoping as they get older we can divert more to the college funds. They won't appreciate now, but they will later

 

[Pirate1+Princess4]

Instead of loading my kids up with a bunch of toys they don't need this Christmas, we're taking them to WDW. Santa will still come, but there will be a lot less "stuff" under the tree. It will be interesting to see how well they handle it.

Another vote for Snap Circuits. My DS has a HUGE set- it's a classroom set and he LOVES it. He even took an experiment to school when he was "Scientist of the Day". Totally "wow'd" the class and the teacher as he taught about water conducting electricity (in a safe manner).

His sisters enjoy "helping" him with it.

We also got Blokus last Christmas.

Puzzles- could you set one up in a corner and always have it going?