What NON toy/game items are you getting your kids?

[paysensmom]

My daughter wants a princess couch. She is 6 and my son is 8, almost nine. I want to get my kids some things that are not toys or games. Want to help me out with some ideas?

 

[rileysmommy]

My 5 year old ds is getting his big boy bed for Christmas. He's still in a toddler bed so I think it is about time.

 

[uk_wildcat]

Other than toys/games, my kids will get books and pajamas and maybe a few shirts. They are 5 and 8 (soon to be 9) years old.

 

[mrudman]

DD's are actually getting very few true toys this year.. just seemed to work out that what they asked for and what I found for them aren't really "toy" toys like they'd gotten in yrs past.

Younger dd will be getting a guitar, guitar book/cd, horseriding helmet, horseriding lessons, magic tree house book, a couple other reading books, young rider subscription, horse shadow box paint kit, Five below gift cards, pajamas, mp3 player, speakers for mp3 player, funfusion beads and some of the 'plates' for them, 3-d sidewalk chalk, squinkies, and lego harry potter wii game.

Older dd will be getting a violin, violin book/cd, few book on how to draw cartoons, sharks, etc, tracing paper to draw on, wimpy kid book, american girl subscription, Five below gift cards, pajamas, some shark slippers, mp3 player, speakers for mp3 player, memory foam mattress, imagine resort owner ds game, squinkies, icarly remote, and wii party.

Edited to add: This list is for their birthdays and Christmas... I'll be picking 2-3 things outta the list to give them for their birthdays coming up... rest will be Christmas.

 

[cdrn1]

I am underwhelmed by the toy selection I see in the stores these days. DGD age six is old enough this year to like Barbies and I can't believe how cheaply made they are now. Plastic garbage. I won't be getting them any cheap China made junk this year. I got burned by all the made-in-China crap that I bought at WDW this year; most of it fell apart the first week. Junk.
My grandkids are getting books, a few educational things from Fat Brain, and we will adopt some zoo animals. I am tired of spending big bucks on junk.

 

[princessfionasmom]

My son is 10 and has been begging me for a pair of customized zigtech's by reebok. I never spend more than $10 for a pair of shoes because the kids outgrow them so quickly. I've been lucky to hit some great sales and clearance at khols and he always gets something he likes. I will say that he only gets one pair of sneakers at a time but wears them til they fall off his feet. For Christmas he wants a PS3 and these sneakers and that's all. I talked to DH and he said go ahead and get them for him so he is going to be very happy. We already sat together on reebok's website and designed a pair with his name on the back but I warned him that they are very expensive and it's not likely he'll get a pair so I know he'll be thrilled to get them. DD is 7 and the only non toy item I have for her is rollerblades and the knee and elbow pad set. Everything else she wants is American Girl Doll related, most of which she will NOT get like the $300 camper. Edited to add: Oops, I lied, DD is also getting a netbook too as long as I can get a good deal on one.

 

[GraysMom]

I bought DS(almost)6 a rechargeable electric toothbrush to put in his stocking. I'm hoping it encourages him to brush longer without reminders.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

My DD6 is getting new UGGS for Christmas and a Telescope as her non- game/ toy related items.

 

[blackforest]

DD8 is getting her own toolbox. I know, but she loves building and making "contraptions" as she calls it. Plus, it can be in the barn with Daddy as well as the mess. We are so cutting back this year. Just overwhelmed with all the stuff. Plus, we are joining DD15's school band in WDW in April.

 

[encinc]

My boys are getting wallets and maybe skis (if I can find some second hand) for Christmas, along with one or two of the toys they put on their Santa list. I agree with the PP that there is far too much made in China junk out there. I really want to minimize the amount of it that comes into our house.

 

[StephMK]

DD10 is getting a book on cartooning because she loves to draw them. She will also get a magazine subscription to something animal related. Maybe some fun bath or hair stuff.

DS8 is getting a book of science experiments and maybe another mag subscription. DS likes gadgets but I can't think of anything new yet.

They will both get little book lights in their stockings, new slippers (the crazier the better) and some new PJs. Other stuff will be games, more books or toys.

 

[Robinrs]

My "kid" is getting a dvr and and a video replicator .... He's 17.

 

[wlake]

DS8 will get Ask and Ladybug while DS5 gets My Big Backyard (all magazines). They love magazines because then they have something to look forward to all year. DS5 will probably get a sled and craft supplies. I had a couple of shirts put away for DS8, but he grew so much I had to give them to him already! Two years ago they got nice Sigg waterbottles. Last year, DS8 got wall decals for his room and a rocket to build and launch. A few years ago they got beanbags with denim covers. I think Santa is bringing a Quadrilla marble set for them this year (shh!), but I think of that as a toy. Hope that helps!

 

[amy-momofthree]

How about a gift of memberships? The zoo, local museum, aquarium, any place they like to go to.

 

[kayrosek]

non toy gifts this year include books, snuggies, pj's, clothes( including custom Minnie Dress), guitar, art kit, and cell phone

 

[riley2008]

non toy gifts this year include books, snuggies, pj's, clothes( including custom Minnie Dress), guitar, art kit, and cell phone

One of my boys asked for a Snuggie last year and we managed to pass on it. He's still asking, so grandma is getting him one.

Other non-toy items that Santa, us or grandparents/relatives are getting the boys:

Books
Snuggie
Watches (Flik Flak ones - hopefully these will make it through a wash cycle if needed)
Lined Crocs
Pajamas
Cereal Straws and PopTarts
and maybe new bedding

We've also done electric toothbrushes and character toothpaste, clothes, a lamp, beanbag chairs, beach towel or regular towel with some theme on it, novelty blankets and pillows (and we did pillowpets for birthday).

 

[bigmama67]

Non-toy for my DS (almost 8):

Footie pajamas (I think these will be "from" our DD)
Harry Potter wristwatch
Children's Dictionary
Mater's Tall Tales DVD
Yoda "Judge me by my size do you?" T-shirt (DHS exclusive, LOL!)

and my Mom got each of them a book and a magazine subscription.

For his 8th birthday (December 4th) he is getting an MP3 player from us (haven't picked it out yet).

My Mom gave him $$ for his birthday - I told him he'd need to deposit $25 in his account and I am pretty sure he'll blow the rest on Legos.

 

[2littleprincesses]

Non-toy items this year--
DD9 camera, cds, wii game, dance bag, gift card for manicure (she has wanted this forever) american girl magazine

DD7 guitar, cds, wii game, ds game, guiness book of world records (she loves this)

 

[carebee21]

My DS is getting Disney pins, vinylmations and a gift card, all to trade/spend on our trip in Jan. Other than that, slippers, robe and some fun bath soap/ bubble bath type stuff.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

DD8 is getting her own toolbox. I know, but she loves building and making "contraptions" as she calls it. Plus, it can be in the barn with Daddy as well as the mess. We are so cutting back this year. Just overwhelmed with all the stuff. Plus, we are joining DD15's school band in WDW in April.

My DS11 is the same way so we got him a toolbox with some tools one year and a wood kit to build something and he loved it.

DD10 is getting a book on cartooning because she loves to draw them. She will also get a magazine subscription to something animal related. Maybe some fun bath or hair stuff.

DS8 is getting a book of science experiments and maybe another mag subscription. DS likes gadgets but I can't think of anything new yet.

They will both get little book lights in their stockings, new slippers (the crazier the better) and some new PJs. Other stuff will be games, more books or toys.

Have you looked at snap circuits for your DS8? Just an idea.


For non-toy gifts mine are getting:
DS6: bike, basketball, gymnastics lessons
DS11: either a hiking daypack or inflatable mattress for camping
DS13 and DD14: refurb. laptops and accessories

Plus they will all get books, pajamas and robes. Things I've given in the past have been: hooded bath towels, throw blankets, cameras, art supplies, a soccer ball, skateboards, bike helmets, clothes that I wouldn't normally buy like a jersey from their favorite team, a chemistry kit.