I am at a loss as to what to buy this year. I would love to start my shopping today acutally since I have a few extra bucks this month. I am looking for a:
11 y.o. girl
7 y.o. girl
6 y.o. boy
1 y.o. boy
The one year old really doesn't need much and prolly won't get much this year since he won't even remember. His grandparents will buy him enough stuff to fill his room any how.
Also is it rude to ask the Grandparents to not buy my kids a ton of stuff. Grandma asks them to go through a catalog and make a wish list she then purchases about 15-20 things off of their wish list. We have toys from last Christmas that are still in the box new that they never even remembered they got. :( I just feel that sometimes less is more.
I ask my parents to get the kids things like waterpark passes or zoo passes since they really don't need more "things." The kids get excited about having something they can look forward to using in the spring or summer. My parents put the passes with a little gift of some sort that they can use in the winter, too. My parents love doing that!
I have no idea what is popular right now. Good luck!
Less IS more. But the grandparents may not comply. My MIL believes in quantity over quality. My kid can ask for one $50 item and she'll refuse, because she'd rather buy 4 $15 gifts. Most of which end up in the trash!
The best thing we've done is convince my parents to buy one big gift for all kids. This has gone over very well - and lasts so much longer. One year it was an air hockey table. One year it was a Wii. Maybe you could try that approach? Good luck!
It's not rude to ask them not to buy so much, if they still want to get them something how about bonds? or gift cards that they can use to buy items for their rooms, etc.
The leappad is the it thing right now I am getting that for my 5 year old it's from leap-pad looks like a kids IPAD it retails for $100.00
Mario Bros DS games are always appreciated.
So far my two daughter's have requested the following
- A radio control helicopter, 3D DS, Wii games, my 7 year old wants a cell phone but it's not happening. Some talking and barking dog, Monster high dolls, and a Bike
My 6 y.o. girl is asking for her own digital camera, and clothes and accessories for her American Girl doll. I am also thinking about getting her "real" roller skates because her old ones are those plastic adjustable ones and she's outgrowing them. My 3 y.o. girl is a bouncing bundle of energy so I might get her one of those small trampolines with a handle. I would definitely ask the grandparents for less... getting so much is overwhelming for young kids and becomes meaningless. Getting a few GREAT gifts is so much better. Sorry, I can't help much with ideas for boys!
my son is 6 turning 7 in jan and he is asking for a ipod touch, beyblades, dregadar balls and track, tech deck ramps, a new football jersey and a few here and there things.
Can you ask grandma to start a college fund and do one or two smaller gifts? In the long run, it will be a great idea and so appreciated by your children. And don't feel bad asking for it. Just explain that too many toys don't get played with. Hopefully she will understand. If she likes to watch things get opened, let her get a few small gifts.
7 and 11 year old girls love stuff from Clairs or Justice (clothes or accessories).
I hear ya!
For the toys in the rooms still in boxes, donate them to Toys-4-Tots or a Woman's shelter. Your kids won't miss them.
As for the Christmas lists, my inlaws are this way too. If my kids put 15 things on there they get all 15 things. My hubby started down this road. We got my nephew's list, I bought 2 things off the list. Hubby said we had to buy all. Sent me back out on Christmas Eve. When my nephew opened his presents, all of the stuff that i 'had to go back out for' had already been given to him from his other family!! Grumble!
So now I just give the inlaws a list of 5-6 things. I ask my kids, when you wake up Christmas morning, give me 5 things that you hope to see under the tree.
