WWYD - torn between two gifts for DS3

[TheLittleRoo]

My DS3 surprised me by adding a latecomer to the list of things he REALLY wants for Christmas. He was beside himself over this expensive Bruder working garbage truck he found in a catalog at home. I found it elsewhere for $50 shipped, so I saved $30 just by not using the catalog. But I haven't bought it yet... because a couple of days later, he pointed to a race track as his #1 pick. Argh.... preschoolers and their short term memory!

So, before I drop $50 on a toy that might have been a whim, I am wondering if I should get him a bigger version of a broken little Thomas the Train motorized track that he already has and is mesmorized watching. (Ours is missing two critical parts, so he can't watch it do anything other than move around the track, but even still he watches it). The bigger version is compatible with the small version we own, and I was planning to buy the replacement parts so he can use the sets together for twice the fun. This will be a little more expensive, but that's not the biggest factor.

Which would you get? He's never seen the bigger Thomas set, so it would be at total surprise. But I'm afraid if he thinks Santa's bringing the garbage truck, he might be disappointed (if he actually remembers it).

I'm stuck and this is the last thing I need to buy before I'm DONE! Help!

His other gifts (to give you some idea of balance) - I'm probably going to return something to stay in my budget but not sure which yet.

Fire station w/ firetruck and firemen for imaginative play
Diego V-Smile cartridge
Little Laptop from Vsmile
Hot Wheels stunt track set
Power Rangers action set
Bubble Mower

Any suggestions?

 

[mominwestlake]

What is the Thomas set called? I have 2 Thomas sets- Big Loader and perhaps the Big Big Loader (need to look for name. I think they are by Tomy) that are sitting on my sun porch unused. Let me know if those are what you are looking at.

 

[fakereadhed]

My DS3 surprised me by adding a latecomer to the list of things he REALLY wants for Christmas. He was beside himself over this expensive Bruder working garbage truck he found in a catalog at home.

If you have access to a TJ Maxx or Marshalls they have those for $19.99!

I hear you on the preschoolers. My DS4 has been saying Santa is bringing him the TRex Rampage and I think it's way overpriced. Finally found it on sale with a coupon and we see Santa the next day and he asks for a different set.

 

[Darcy03231]

I would return the hot wheels set. The tracks never stay together and quite honestly I found that my boys (2) never really played with them much after Christmas Day. We didn't have enough room to keep it set up all the time and once we'd set it up and they'd run the cars through once or twice the tracks would come apart and we'd be forever fixing it. JMO

 

[EthansMom]

We've bought a number of the Hot Wheels Track sets over the last few years... DS went through a phase. IMHO, the HW Track sets are a complete waste of money... they don't work well at ALL. I'd take that back... and maybe get him one or two HW cars for his stocking instead.

Considering you're already giving DS a firetruck, I wouldn't worry about the garbage truck. I'd get him the toy that you think would give him the most enjoyment.

 

[pigletto]

I could not agree more with the posters who said return the hotwheels.
They fall apart constantly and with your son being 3 (mine is 4) you will have to stop what you are doing and put it back together for him over and over again. My son received several last year and they have been nothing but a nuisance. I want a toy that he can enjoy on his own without constantly running over to put it back together.
And as far as the late requests.. I have been asking my kids for months what they wanted and they only really gave me any ideas when I had finished shopping already

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I would return the hotwheels because they are junk. However I am no help with your budget because I would buy both toys he asked for. Yes I know......sigh......my DH said he is changing my name to lolipop because when it comes to the kids I am a sucker.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

What is the Thomas set called? I have 2 Thomas sets- Big Loader and perhaps the Big Big Loader (need to look for name. I think they are by Tomy) that are sitting on my sun porch unused. Let me know if those are what you are looking at.

Yes, those are what I'm talking about. We have the Big Loader set, but it's missing two peices (the zig zaggy thing that dumps the balls into Terence's scooper area, and all the black balls). The Big Big Loader set is the one I'm trying to find, but it's only ebay b/c they don't make it anymore.