Need Ideas for Christmas Presents for Many Children

I love, LOVE the Only 99 cent store. You can get a butt load of goodies there and most for just a buck!. Back when my daughter's cousin was a young teen I used to give her little trinkets like nail polish and fisk board and lotions and bath stuff and put it all together in a little basket along with a few ear rings from Clairs, usually they have a special like buy two get one free or something like that. As for little kids I like to give out coloring books with fun colors or markers to match or fun pencil sets. Big Lots has also fun little things usually at a good deal, sometimes you have to dig and think outside the box if you like to give unique gifts. Or here is an idea, buy cheap dollar stocking and fill with candy and small toys and games, like the ones you find for goody bags for birthday parties. I know that Hobby Lobby usually sells little things like that in their birthday section often for 3 or 4 for a dollar. Dollar General is also a fun place to go shop for inexpensive ornaments. You can buy plastic ornaments and personalize them with a paint marker, glue on plastic gems and etc. , there are loads of ideas you can do!

Hope this helps!

J.

Last year we bought small plastic bowls or tubs and filled with single packages of popcorn, candy, and a soda. We wrapped them like gift baskets with see through wrap and tied a candy cane in the bows. We filled them with shreds before putting in the goodies. They were a BIG HIT and very inexpensive.

My husband is also the oldest of 9. One year, we took all of the kids to the $2.50 movie and bought big tubs of popcorn and large sodas and candy for them to share.

The past 2 years, we've had them draw each other's names for gift-giving. Then, we've taken them to the mall and given them each $10 to use towards getting a gift for the sibling whose name they've drawn.

They've really enjoyed both options, and it's much more memorable than trying to go get something inexpensive for them that they won't even remember after a couple of months.

Good luck!

Girls would probably love to have a Diary or nice Journal. You can sometimes find nice Journals on clearance at Tuesday Mornings.

movie tickets. The dollar movie has gift cards.

I have an almost 14 yr old girl and gift cards are preferred!

Examples: Starbucks, Best Buy, Pac Sun, Hot Topic, any nail/spa treatment, Sephora, Ulta...etc

Just a couple of thoughts.
The 14 year old would probably love an ITune gift card.
Younger children seem to love really cool flash lights.

Big lots has some great gifts for 10 and under... so does Michaels and wallmart... but big lots seems to have the most.

Good luck
A. J
www.celebritypartyfavors.com

Hi K., my daughter loves to get manicures and pedicures. We can get them at the community college for $6. Maybe you can find something like this for the 3 girls you're buying for.

Games are always a good choice. You can get tons of games at Wal-Mart for $10-$12 and you can get them for all age ranges.

For the girls you could get some hair clips or fashion jewelry from a place like Claires. For the boys you could get small Lego sets (about $5 each or up to $10 for bigger ones) or a magazine or a book. Also, I know it's not the most healthy suggestion but what about a big candy bar? Sometimes they are on sale for $1 or $1.50. Just a few ideas. And, don't feel guilty buying small or spending just a little - I always feel guilty at Christmas because my kids RIP open the gifts and rarely even remember who gave them what! I'm sure any gift at all, no matter the size or value, will be appreciated.

Maybe try going to a 99cent store and get each girl a small gift bag w/10 items in it. They have nail polish, lip gloss, hair accessories, socks, candles, toys school supplies, suglasses stuff like that!

For a family THAT large, I think I would buy a "family" gift - not individual presents. Anyway, spending $10 on each one will only get you mediocre gifts anymore.

Go for a gift card to blockbuster, different types of popcorn, and a gift card to McDonalds or something like that. They can have a quick evening out, followed by tons of movies at home.

Visit your local Walmart's low priced movies. There are lots of children's movies.Purchase a movie and add a bag of microwave popcorn.Popcorn & a Movie.. nice evening tucked in on a cold Winter's night.

I buy these money boxes. Then you tape a bunch of ones together (with the tape they provide), roll them up and put the in the box. A tab sticks out a slot and the ones come out one by one. I think they are called money machines. The kids of all ages think they are cool.

Gift cards for the older ones might be nice.
GL

Gift cards are awesome for the older ones. Walmart has so many things kids would love. They have DVD's for $5, paint sets by crayola that don't get all messy, Mr. Potato Head, Bob the Builders stuff, baby dolls, all kinds of things.

The oldest ones might enjoy movie tickets or even a rental card from a local movie store. The youngest ones would love McDonald's gift cards or really anything. Little kids love everything. It's the older ones that are tricky. Another thing that my kids love (10, 5,4,2) is sculpy modeling clay bc you can bake your creation. They love any type of craft projects which are really affordable. You can find that stuff at Hobby Lobby or Wal-Mart. If there are younger boys you can not go wrong with toy cars or monster trucks.
Good luck! Kids are hard to buy for and it gets so expensive.
Have a great Christmas!
J.
http://J..yoursmh.com

I have younger kids, so my advice will be limited to them. Target has some great deals through this Wednesday. They have several games that are normally up to $12 that are on sale for $4. There is a set of mini Cars (from the movie)that are normally $17 or $18 that are $10. There are two different sets of pixos that are normally $20 that are $10. I think these were all great buys. Target in Grapevine had all of these last night except for one game. Good luck!

If they're into crafts, Michael's has lots of inexpensive kits (both holiday theme and not) that cost around $5 or less. Also, there are lots of fun little things in the dollar racks at Target (usually just inside the main entrance) that you can use to fill a small stocking, purse or bag.

I am in the same boat!!! I go to Big Lots every year and usually I spend less than $10 per kid!! They have it all and cheap. I get Fisher Price toys, computer accessories...you name it. Even exchange gifts for the adults in the home section. Best of luck

I agree with the gift cards for the 11 and up crowd. Don't waste your money on trying to figure out something else with them. One thing I do when I give nieces and nephews GCards is to wrap them up in a creative jokester kinda way.

One year I put a GC inside of a small Care Bear for my 16 year old nephew. Another year it was inside a roll of toilet paper.
For the girls you could get a big fake diamond something (calculator or ??) and tape it underneath.

Something to make it a bit more fun and get a laugh.

www.marthastewart.com

You could also try Family Dollar. They have $5.00 toys that are name brand and great quality.

Hey K. -
My kids are grown, but the gifts they still remember are the classics. How about a SLIP N' SLIDE, HULA HOOPS, YO YO'S, BOOKS(at Half Price Bookstore), BOARD GAMES, or AN ICE CREAM MAKER?

I would wait to Thanksgiving to look through all the sales. You can find some great kids toys at 70% off. The older ones will like Sam Moon but you might be able to find some great deals for them as well or a great family gift.
Good Luck!

Try the Sam Moon store. You could make them jewlery/accessory baskets. If you've not been there before the stuff is pretty inexpensive and right up girls that ages alley!! Good luck!

Sorry but gift cards are the way to go unless you have a christmas list. You could also make something if you are crafty. You could pick different gift cards not just all walmart.... Get a game stop for the boys, old navy for the girls, build a bear, etc...

K.,
Since you asked, there is a whole group of us out there on the Internet that are working to bring the art of gift giving back to a heart felt art. My specialty is backed goods and candies but there are also toy makers, jewelry makers, seamstresses,etc. You want it, you can probably find it. My site is http://www.littlesnowflakes.etsy.com but once you get there search around Etsy you may find that unique present you are looking for.

D.
SAHM mom of three:19,18,and 5
Home Baker and Candy Maker (listed on Momma Source). Married to the same wonderful man for almost 12 years.

Have you thought about Avon? I am a local rep. and I have many things in stock for $10 and under. For the older girls I have Hannah Montana bath set: shampoo, shower gel, hand lotion and lip balm for $8.00. For boys it might be a little bit harder but I can give you a book to order from. Let me know if this is something you might want to check out. Have a great day.

M. Lipscomb
###-###-####
____@____.com
www.youravon.com/mlipscomb

K.,

My family purchases toys for Toys For Tots, and this is where we typically shop. You can really stretch your dollars and provide for more children. I love Dollar Tree! You can purchase several little gifts there (for $1 each) and the children will love it. They have the bath lotions and soaps that the older girls like, and they have toys, coloring books, bubbles, ect, that the littler children will like. Each store also has different items, so check out several stores if you don't find something for all of them. Another option is Dollar General and Family Dollar. Their toys are very inexpensive and are age-appropriate.

Best of luck to you.

For the older girls you should try "Forever 21" It is a trendy clothing store popular with teens. You will find a ton of cute stuff, all in style that is less than $10.00. I always shop there for my 14 year old niece. I got her a really cute long sleeve shirt with a hood for $5.00.

Hi, K.,

If you are looking for something different, check out my website. I can do personalized necklaces or favorite characters. And less than $10 each.

www.bottlecapboutique.com

Thanks and good luck!
S.

How about a gift card to Claire's? Or, the older girls would be in to jewlery or make up. A little make up bag with a nail polish? Try Kohls for cheap and cute bath goodies too. Cute scarfs and leg warmers from Claires are super trendy and cute!

Make Fleece No Sew Blankets that fit each child. You need about 2 yards of each fleece material, 2 fleece materials per blanket. Cut out the corners at about 3X3 or 5X5 in squares. Go over 1 inch and up 3 or 5 depending on what size square you cut. Tie the fringe of the 2 layers together in a square knot. I have given and received these. You can make them bigger for the bigger kids. My kids 3 & 18mo drag theirs everywhere, they are good for trips and the winter on the bed. Or as a throw when watching TV. Good Luck.