I see several other mamas have asked a similar question so I am jumping on board lol. My son is 2 (will be 2 1/2 in December) and I have all his christmas presents bought. however my relative want to know what to get him. He does not need anymore toys. He is the only grandchild on my side (intill january) and one of two great-grandchildren. and is one of only 4 small children in the entire family on my husbands side. He gets christmas gifts from family members my hubby and I don't even talk to! So he is pretty spoiled and set on toys. His grandma (my mom) works at a book store, so he has a library in his room and doesn't need any more books. He has plenty of dvds and is pretty set on clothes as well. I had this problem last year and tried ask for diapers, but my family doesn't want to get him essentials they want to get him a fun gift, So they can see his face when he opens it. I don't know what to tell them.
i want to add that the problem with so many toys is that we have run out of room for them. We have a small house andd even though I cleaned out his toys and put away all the things he doesnt play with his room still looks like a preschool!
I like the idea of a zoo pass (the museum pass for around here is too expensive considering that it is almost 2hrs aways and I am not sure how often we would get up there) but my son is afraid of animals right now, but he might me over that by the time we can use it.
Just let them get him what they want. They will eventually have others that take their attention so it will only be a few more years. I would let them do whatever.
If they ask them tell them a theme, like "He's really in to Spiderman right now" so at least the toys can be something he will like and not totally off the wall.
Let them get him what they want to get him. Either returns the toys or donate them (or old ones). You aren't out anything and they get to see the joy on his face.
Return one of your gifts and let your relatives buy it. Also, music cds are great and often overlooked cds, although low on the excitment meter for opening a present. How about something he could play with right away with them on Christmas morning, like something he can build? Also, I count on all the candy and cookies to come from the grandparents - maybe a basket of treats?
I have the same issue, everyone wants that WOW factor and well it's tough, when the kids don't need more stuff. What about a zoo pass, attach it to a small stuffed animal, the toy can get a smile and not take up much space and the pass can get used all year. Or think summer, sure he may be annoyed that he can play with something right now, but outdoor toys are great, and they won't take up more room in the house.
We always have some non-material items on our family's wish list, some of which have probably already been mentioned.
-Zoo and Aquarium passes
-tickets to Reds/Bengals/Bearcats
-Amusement Park passes
-tickets to a show (such as Disney on Ice)
-pool passes
-movie tickets
-classes at the YMCA, local park district, and such places (this could include arts & crafts, sports, music)
-donations to the college fund
I know that some of that can get kind of expensive, but maybe some of them could get together.
You mentioned that they want to see his excitement when he opens the gift. As these kinds of gifts are not the most exciting for a 2yo to open, maybe they can be the ones to take him to the movie or whatever. That way they can see just how much fun he had with it.
No one wants to buy a child diapers for Christmas. That's really a gift for you, not him.
Just a thought... is there something "big" that he needs that maybe the grandparents could go in on? Like a big-boy bed or a tricycle?
What we have done in the past is when someone calls and asks I will tell them that I have been picking things up as I see them. Would they like to purchase one of those from me (hopefully you kept the receipt) or would they like to do something else? 99% of the time, my sisters, BIL and nieces will just say that they want to spend $___ and just put their name on one of his gifts and give us the cash.
The other thing we have started doing is suggesting that his grandparents buy tickets to events and take him. My parents are taking our 3 yr old to the live Max & Ruby show next month. He's beside himself with excitement about it!
U.S. Savings bonds. Buy for $25 and when he's 21 it'll be worth a hundred or so.
We have had similar problems (or should I call them blessings actually) here too. I finally caved and gave the grandparents the "good ideas" and just buy one more expensive gift (that I would never expect a family member to splurge on) and stocking stuffers for Christmas morning and maybe some clothes/diapers ect. I dont usually like others picking out my kids clothes and stuff anyway so it works out well.
You could also just donate either the old toys to make room for the new or the new toys that come from people you dont know.
I know its hard to not get your kids all the stuff you want to be from you, but I feel like its an additional gift that you have family friends ect that want to buy your kids stuff. Its nice to let them have some joy too in knowing their gift is well received. Deep down you can know that the joy on your kids faces is really from your loving suggestions to the others!
I am jealous that you've finished already! I haven't read the other responses, but how about suggesting things that get used up such as novelty bubble bath (I saw a lightning McQueen shaped one yesterday), or banana-flavoured toothpaste and a novelty toothbrush, or character pyjamas (my boys have always thought they were special), or soap face paints, jelli-baff, a few sweets, paper and crayons, bubble mixture and blower, etc. I think kids still get a kick out of all of these.
Seems like you have a few options-
1. take a hard line and adopt a no gifts policy. tell them in advance that you will be returning their gifts wraped so they need not bother getting them.
2. consider a "no tangible gifts policy" like the zoo pass, circus tickets etc option.
3. return the presents that you purchased and only have those from the extended family.
4. advise people that you will only allow 1 present each from them up to x number total, anything else will be put away in a high closet, and gifted for another occassion, easter, birthdays, after a doctor's visit.
5. allow them to buy all the presents they want, allow little one to open them. Before X-mas do a sweep and bin/ store/ donate old ones to make room for the new. Also, you will get him used to seeing less around. Have a toy/ book pantry, that he can select from every night or every week, whatever works for you. No more than say 5 books, 5 cars and 5 animals allowed out at any one time.
There are a lot of approaches to this. One of these, or something totally different will resonate with you. Speak with your spouse, pick a strategy, then stand firm.
This is hard, we have a big family too and always gets tons of stuff...some useful and some not so much. ;) Anyway, I agree that if they're willing at least suggest an 'activity' like a pass to the children's museum, a dance class, soccer camp, etc. If not, then tell them what he does like and go from there. I also will store some toys after birthday or Christmas and then bring them out in a few months to make them new again. Even though he has clothes, I would probably suggest that too, that way you can spend less on his clothes yourself.
My kids are almost 2 and almost 4 so for the past few Christmases we haven't gotten them a lot from us or Santa, only a few gifts and their stocking. This way we don't spend a ton on them but they are still getting a haul of gifts from the extended family. They are really too young to notice and are still happy opening what they have here. That will change eventually, but not yet!!
Before Christmas you'll probably need to do another sweep of the toys in the house and put away or give away. If you plan on having more kids get a few tubs of things you really want to keep and give away the rest. Do it before the end of the month and it's still a tax break! ;)
I would suggest things like tickets or membership to the zoo, Children's Museum (if your area has one), the Science Center, any kid's entertainment type places. Basically, the gift of an experience vs. another needless material item.
Ask people to buy toys for Toys-4-Tots instead, or your local woman's shelter...
Maybe everyone could chip in on a playset for outside or a big powerwheel.
