Turning Two, but Already Has Everything!

I love birthdays!
If you're set on a material thing for her to unwrap, how about a little flannel board set of nursery rhymes to help her learn those? My kids love doing flannel boards with me. I get mine from a lady in Layton I found at www.funfelt.com.
I don't think any family can have too many books--Wisebird Bookery has a decent children's section and a few fun board books would be great things to open, and your older kids could enjoy reading them with the birthday girl.
My kids that age loved having a run bike for outside (a little bike with no pedals) and also a lock box (I think we found it at backtobasicstoys.com) that had several different kinds of locks and little doors on it to hide things in. It's been a hit for awhile. A PlasmaCar was also a huge hit--it's been in heavy use at my house for over three years, and more than one child can sit on it at a time.
Consider Googling the TRUCE organization, "Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment." They have annual holiday suggestions and I have always loved their "shoebox gifts" ideas. They suggest choosing a theme, such as water play or gardening, and then putting several tools in a show box. So, for water play you could put in a turkey baster, some measuring cups, a strainer, and a ladle. Pretty basic and inexpensive, but always a hit with kids.
I have found some excellent items at www.forsmallhands.com. It's a Montessori store and they sell many, many things that are functional tools but suited for children to use. My kids LOVE helping with their own little broom and spray bottle of cleaner and lots of other things. That's a great resource to give you some ideas. Locally, the folks at www.brainbuildingtoys.com are in Ogden and are so knowledgable and helpful--and they will deliver what you order locally. They have some excellent tray puzzles. You can browse their site by age.
Utah-Idaho Supply on Washington carries Nobbie balls for about $7. They are so soft with such a nice texture--great for learning how to throw and catch without getting bonked. Open-ended playthings that are versatile are always great.
Experience is also a fun gift. . . letting her help make her cake and put fancy sprinkles on it, going to Treehouse Children's Museum or having a fun picnic as a family. If she opens a certificate or decorated card that says what you get to go do, that can be an exciting gift.
Best wishes!
P.S. You know she's entitled to a free hardback book every month from the Imagination Library, right? You can get a brochure at the main library or possibly sign up online--she'll get a book mailed to her every month until she turns five. It's a great living-in-Ogden secret I hope you're not missing out on!

1 mom found this helpful

She's so young now, that I don't think she expects ANYTHING! How about just a fun day out like at the museum, or pool? Do the cake and ice cream and leave it at that! Or how about outdoor toys? Sidewalk chalk, and water toys?

How about a membership to the zoo or children's museum.

Give her an experience- instead of something. Take a special trip-just mommy and daughter or both parents and daughter. the zoo? the children's museum? a special movie that she gets to pick? have all her siblings make something special for her- cards or whatever. I also had a friend that would have the older siblings pick one of their toys to give to their sibling- it taught them how to give of themselves when they're too young to earn $ to give something new.

Hi A.,
I think it is important to remember that at age 2 the simplest gifts are usually the biggest hits. I know you said there are lots of dolls in your house, however, getting her a new small doll that she can carry around in a purse/tote sort of thing that is HER VERY OWN would probably make her happy. My daughters have also always loved their build-a-bears with the clothes etc. It is a special thing just for them that they know they don't have to share.

As for a unique idea. If your daughter is in a regular bed now, you could make her a "bed tent". This is as simple as buying a neat piece of fabric. Sew pieces together until it is about the size of a small comforter (or however big you want it). Along one of the long sides you will need 2-4 holes or pieces of ribbon or fabric attached that can loop around a hook. Then you screw 2-4 simple hooks into the wall next to her bed (in the studs). The fabric hooks onto the wall and then just drapes over the bed. You can cut a slit for a door on the side or the kids can just climb in from the end. You could take a fabric marker and write her name on it or something. You could even just buy a sheet or blanket that will fit and not have to sew anything, just decorate it for her. I hope this makes sense. This was a fairly simple thing that we did that our kids loved!!! And when they weren't using it, it packed away easily in the linen closet.
Take care, B.

I totally agree with the idea of outside toys. My father gave our son a tricycle for his second birthday. It was a little bit big at first, but my boy was SO excited about it. He absolutely loves his "bike".

I think it is important to give her something that is just hers, and not a hand-me-down. I am the youngest of five girls, and felt tortured through the years that I RARELY received anything brand new.

Good luck and have a wonderful day on her birthday!

For our niece's 3rd birthday (not sure if your 2 year old will be old enough for this or not) we put together a "dress-up kit". I got a big pink gift bag and put "Princess Dress Up Bag" on it in glittery writing. Then I went to the dollar store, thrift store and my own closet and put together anything that I thought a little girl might enjoy dressing up in....ie, feather boas,clip on earrings, necklaces, tiaras, fun high heels, dresses, skirts, etc.... She LOVED it! Even if she's too young for dress up yet....it might be a thought for next year?

Good Luck!

I agree with the other two suggestions, remember your daughter is two. She probably doesn't expect a lot at this age & the simplest things are the best. Something that can create a memory is usually a great gift. We often put too much emphasis on material gifts. Do something she really enjoys maybe, that she wouldn't get to do normally, ie a little hike/walk, swimming, going to the park/playground, side walk chalk event, baking cookies, birthday tea party, etc. When she gets a little older a day at the salon/spa with mom could be lots of fun! Girls always love getting their nails painted! Good luck finding the right idea for your daughter!

I have lived this and we quit doing gifts all together except from us (her parents/siblings and grandparents.)

We now try to celebrate the child on their day. They get to pick the food. Paint her nails, or toes make her feel special and included. Play games with her and your other children. Let her help you make a cake or buy one and get all the icing and let her decorate it.

The great thing is this is a great time to start a new family tradition. I am convinced that my kids never miss the gifts. Even from the parents and grandparents we have cut way back and the gift may be lunch by themselves and picking out something from the dollar store.

2 year olds don't really "get" the gift certificate thing, or the zoo passes or day with mom and dad. They're great for a bit older kids, but at 2 it's all about what she sees when she opens the gift.

The good news is that most 2 year olds also aren't programmed to expect a ton of fancy gifts. One or two special ones are plenty.

I liked the dress-up-bag idea. Also, how about playdough. She's old enough to start squishing it around, with adult help. It's not something that lasts a long time so even if you have some from an older kid you probably want to chuck it and get some new. Just a few colors, they'll likely end up all mixed together anyway :)

I bought my daughter The Laurie Berkner Band DVD when she turned 2 and she loved it! We would sing and dance around the house. You'd have to order it online but it is worth it!

How about a special day with just you & Dad--get a babysitter for the rest. Your time is so special, she'd love it!

Have your kids donate the "junk" that is not being used and then get your daughter something that is new and all hers. Your older ones may have dolls, but they are not her dolls. If they no longer play with them, donate them and then get her, her own special items.
Donating will really teach them about helping others along with cleaning your house out :)

We went to the Discovery Gateway Center in SLC last week and had so much fun! I think it's pricey, but we were able to find 1/2 off coupons. I want to try and make it something we do every year.
One year my mom got my boys edible presents because they had lots of toys. Pirates of the Caribbean cereal, Batman fruit rollups, Spiderman fruit snacks, etc. They loved it!
You could also do something to decorate her bedroom/space. Wall stickers, new sheets, the tent idea was great.

All great ideas so far. I might add that you could have others bring gifts for donation (to Children's Hospital or other).

i am also a mom of 4 and used to go through all the hoopla of big birthday parties. now i think of all that childs favorites. on their birthdays, i will make them their favorite dinner ,make them any cake they wish, and do what they like doing the most. as far as gifts and presents go...its hard to tell people what to gift her. if you invite a bunch of people over you could have a list of suggested presents on the invite. i think for her age she needs things that will help her development such as ,beads, playdough,paints, new release movies are always nice. that is all i can think of but if anything else comes to me i will add it good luck and god bless

Before every birthday and Christmas, we do a toy purge. The toys they rarely play with upstairs get moved down to the play area in the basement. Basement toys get donated. We try to throw away as many of the little happy-meal type toys that accumulate as possible. I have simply told my girls that we only have so much room, and we have to get rid of old toys before we can bring anything new in.

As far as gifts, we love consumable gifts. Passes to the local zoo, petting farm, kid's museum, pool, inflatable bounce place - any of these are a lot of fun. Their is the double advantage that A) you don't add to your clutter and B) you are creating a memory with your child instead of just giving them another thing. Your little one probably won't get the idea of a gift card, so you might want to include something small to go with it. We gave one little boy a straw farmer's hat and a punch card to the local petting zoo. One girl got a stuffed giraffe and a zoo pass. You could get a pool toy or a new towel to go with a swimming pass. That way they have something concrete to unwrap as well as a fun experience.

I also have enjoyed putting together themed gift boxes. We have done a princess box, with bracelets, a tiara, play makeup, etc. We also have done an art box, which was a big hit - it included a new coloring book, crayons, washable markers, scissors, etc. It wasn't too much of a clutter contributor, because everything stored back in the plastic box and went on a shelf.

Hi,
I just saw a great idea last night on the internet. It's personalized CD's with your choice of songs. They incorperate your childs name into the songs that you choose. The website is nameyourtune.com. They also have other things that you can personalize, but my 2 year old loves music, so I thought this might be a good fit. Anyway, good luck to you!! God Bless,
H.