Needing "equal" gifts....Ideas please

[disneymom3]

Hi there,
DH and I have just decided tonight to get DS4 a train table for Christmas he will be really excited about it. DD9 is getting an American Girl doll which she soooo wants and will be thrilled. My trouble is DS5. He is a pretty happy kid and I know overall will be very happy with anything he gets, BUT with the other two getting things they really really will like and are a big deal, I am concerned with this one being let down. I just don't have any ideas for something "big" for him. He has not really seen anything that he really says he wants either other than some Hot Wheels set that doesn't seem like a big deal (to me.)

The gifts mentioned for the other two are Santa gifts, btw. Any ideas what to do or get for middle DS?

 

[mom23boys]

Hi there,
DH and I have just decided tonight to get DS4 a train table for Christmas he will be really excited about it. DD9 is getting an American Girl doll which she soooo wants and will be thrilled. My trouble is DS5. He is a pretty happy kid and I know overall will be very happy with anything he gets, BUT with the other two getting things they really really will like and are a big deal, I am concerned with this one being let down. I just don't have any ideas for something "big" for him. He has not really seen anything that he really says he wants either other than some Hot Wheels set that doesn't seem like a big deal (to me.)

The gifts mentioned for the other two are Santa gifts, btw. Any ideas what to do or get for middle DS?

I am having the same problem with my DS6 (he is getting a MP3 player, but it was not that much money) he did not want anything else.

Last year I (Santa) bought him a Gameboy Advance SP, he was so excited.

I only have a few ideas for my DS (who is also the middle child LOL), Video Now XP, roller blades, hockey stick and net.

I hope others have some ideas.

Sharon

 

[disneymom3]

I am now thinking Playmobile something or other. I know they have lots of castle stuff and he is into that kind of play. Don't know that I want all those pieces though. He is not going to care about the money aspect as he obviously has no idea. My main concern is finding something that is equally exciting.

It's hard when they don't really say what they want even though I know he will be happy about any gifts he gets.

 

[digskat]

I am now thinking Playmobile something or other. I know they have lots of castle stuff and he is into that kind of play. Don't know that I want all those pieces though. He is not going to care about the money aspect as he obviously has no idea. My main concern is finding something that is equally exciting.

It's hard when they don't really say what they want even though I know he will be happy about any gifts he gets.

What about the dragon fire and ice sets they have out. They are a lego type deal. They also have some that are Pirates that look kinda cool too. My son is so into Wrestling, so I'm trying to encourage him to ask for some other things then just wrestling.
www.megabloks.com/en/kids/dragons/game/fire_and_ice.php

 

[krystyana]

What about leapster? Our son loves it and it's educational.

 

[fabumouse]

It's so hard - every year it seems more difficult. Good luck!

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

My DS is also 5..... here are some things that he will be getting/wants:
- an R2-D2 robot that responds to commands, follows you around, lots of other stuff, very interactive - really cool if you have a Star Wars lover (I don't know who will love it more - my son or my husband!!) It was $70 at BJ's, I think they also sell it at KB.
- DS LOVES magnetix - they are a bit expensive for what you get, but worth it (IMO) he wants the new "lighttastics"(sorry, I don't even know if I got that right) it is on the same idea and by the same company but they light up.
- VSmile.. DS loves his home console and wants the VSmile pocket - good for travel and it also hooks up to any TV. Educational video games.
- he wants a telescope and microscope set.

I could go on and on..... but these are the ones that stick out to me
Good luck!

Jen

 

[dianemb]

There is agreat building set with remote control trucks ect called rokenbok. My son loves it. They have a website with a store and even some plans for building. A basic set will run under $100.

Enjoy

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

My sons weren't really into the typical toys at that age either. But they both loved making/building things and art stuff.

My suggestions:

----a big basic set of K-nex. Comes in a big storage tub for $30 or so.

----a large plastic tote filled with arts and crafts stuff---colored paper, scissors, glitter glue, yarn, buttons, fabric, paint, markers, etc. "Santa" brough this last year and the boys LOVE it. I also put in a plastic table cloth and aprons with their names monogrammed on it.

----would he like a hamster? That would be a cool gift!!!

----science kits---build a volcano, make your own bubble gum, etc.

Good luck!!!

 

[kpk89]

I hear ya!! Up until now, I've been able to do one "big" thing for all the kids from Santa, so they get that to share, plus a smaller gift (usually something practical like new jammies or slippers) and their stockings (sort of patterning the three gifts: gold, frankincense myrrh)

Now that they are getting older, it's harder to find a group gift that will be exciting to all of them.

So now to try and help ... Leapster is a great suggestion. Or if he's artsy how about an easel? If you have room, kids love the freestanding ones, and if you don't, the tabletop ones are nice too. Or a puppet theater? The grandparents got the kids one a couple years ago and they love it -- use it to do puppet shows as well as play store, bank, McDonalds you name it!

Good luck!

 

[jojowentbyby]

Are you worried your child will look at the receipts and complain because you spent more $ on the other children?

It really shouldn't matter.

Our children want different things as well and sometimes the amounts we spend on each vary widely. We base it on level of enjoyment and how much the child wants something. I would never go out and spend more to equal out the monetary totals.

One wanted a gameboy last year, but I didn't then go out and feel pressure to spend the equal amount on the other one when all she wanted was the my little pony castle which only scost $40. BTW they play more with the ponies.

This year one wants a metal detecor and the other wants an american girl doll which would be $75 more. I think the metal detector ($15 at target) will get played with alot more there by makeing it a more significant gift. They will get other small things and many big things from relatives so we do not fret too much about how much each we spent on each child. They are very pleased with Santa.

We have a monetary limit (which is the same for each child should they ask for expensive things) on Santa for each but it is not a goal or requirement. we do not force ourselves to spend it if the kids really are not asking for it.

 

[disneymom3]

Are you worried your child will look at the receipts and complain because you spent more $ on the other children?

It really shouldn't matter.

.

Well, I thought I stated very clearly that it wasn't the monetary aspect I was worried about but the excitement level. I could care less how much something costs and neither would the kids. It's a wow factor I am looking for here. And the fact that he doesn't say anything he wants is making it hard.

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone. I think that Rokenbok set sounds cool as well as the R2D2. (That one might even be a good gift for Dad!!) I will have to check out a few others as well.

He does already have a Leapster and you are all right, he loves it. I can't recommend those highly enough. Awesome learing games on there.

 

[jojowentbyby]

Hi there,
DH and I have just decided tonight to get DS4 a train table for Christmas he will be really excited about it. DD9 is getting an American Girl doll which she soooo wants and will be thrilled. My trouble is DS5. He is a pretty happy kid and I know overall will be very happy with anything he gets, BUT with the other two getting things they really really will like and are a big deal, I am concerned with this one being let down. I just don't have any ideas for something "big" for him. He has not really seen anything that he really says he wants either other than some Hot Wheels set that doesn't seem like a big deal (to me.)

The gifts mentioned for the other two are Santa gifts, btw. Any ideas what to do or get for middle DS?

Sorry I misunderstood but I still don't see where you disclose what you are comparing by "big". If you made this clear I missed it. It seemed, to me anyway, that the cost is what you were referring to as the determining factor in "big". Sorry that I was mistaken but in reading your post it did not state clearly what your requirement for "big" was.

I see it in your second post abput the exciting part but some kids find hot wheels exciting. Given all of the avaliable hot wheel items out it should be pretty easy to find stuff geared around that.

I am sure he will have a great christmas.

 

[disneymom3]

Wanted to let you all know that we have decided on the Rokenbok starter set for DS. There are some pretty decent buys to be had on ebay so it won't break the bank either.

Thanks again for all of the suggestions!