My kids are 9, 7, and 3 year old twins. I am at a loss at what to get them for Christmas since they already seem to have so much. All the grandparents, aunts, and uncles are looking for ideas. Any suggestions? I would love to just get money to put away for college, but that would make for a sad Christmas morning.
Puzzles
Books
Pop up tents
http://www.bestpricetoys.com/kids-play-tents-play-house/
sleeping bags
flash lights
Jumping Balls
http://www.jumpingballs.com/us/hoppity-hop-hippity-hop.ht...
The Twizzler
http://www.amazon.com/Spring-Swings-Twizzler-Fun-Ride/dp/...
The Air Pogo
http://www.airpogo.com/
You're right - little kids do not properly appreciate contributions to their college funds. :^)
Here are my standard gift ideas: Books can be great. Supplies for drawing, painting, work with clay can be great. Crafts can be great. Do your older children have a particular interest? That's a good lead.
With my children, and now with my grandchildren, I realized that they didn't mind not having the fancy, big-ticket things (not being promised those things!), but they did like having presents to open. An outfit for a favorite doll makes a nice little package. So does a box of Legos, or a set of drawing pencils along with a tablet of paper.
Another idea for grandparents, aunts, and uncles, if they live nearby, would be a trip with them to a museum or a show after Christmas. If they don't live nearby, they can send the parents as well as the kids.
You might talk to your children and ask if there are toys (in good condition) in their rooms that they think it would be good to pass along to other children whose parents are out of work and won't be able to buy them toys. Children can be incredibly generous when they are given the chance.
Our kids have been paging through the catalogs & circling things to give everyone ideas. Truly though we have asked that they be given stuff like passes to the zoo, aquarium, science center, magazine subscriptions, etc...memories last longer than a $20 hunk of plastic :-)
We actually just went through their toys this past week & cleared out a ton of things to take to the local women's shelter along with some blankets & other items. Our kids have been incredibly blessed & they need help remembering to share those blessings with others!
So, maybe get passes to something & wrap it, that way they have something to open. Hope you find a balance for you guys!
We always say that books are welcome. In the case of grandparents, I'd probably say books and/or a contribution to their college funds and leave it up to them.
Since they are so varied in age, I'd get them outdoor things. A volleyball kit, soccer ball and goal net, etc.
I have a 4 year old and a 10 year old and here is some of what they are getting.. (both girls)
10 year old... Cell phone with data plan (Santa), dsi game, floor lamp, cool picture frame (she's all into zebra stripes right now), pajamas, Jordan's shoes, Now 40 cd, and maybe a few little things
4 year old so far is getting...
Littlest petshop tree house thing with a walking petshop (Santa)
Mobigo and 1 game
A Playstation Dora game
Candyland
Aquadoodle
And a few little things that I've gotten on clearance all year long
Ask the kids if they are willing to share their christmas with an angel tree child.
Movie tickets ? Gymastic or swim classes ? Zoo tickets ? Look out of the box of toys and find what their intrest is and get gift cards for taking them to lessons for music, gym, dance, baseball, or whatever in your area . Children's plays ? Then if a little girls likes dance, then put in some dance shoes or ballet shoes for that gift certificate. If they got gift card for Baseball for 8 weeks through the community center, then throw a mit in there with the gc..... and so on and so on............
We are doing books this year too and more craft type projects... wooden cars and bird house type things. My kids are very outdoorsy, so we are picking a theme and centering their smaller gifts around one big one.
There are a lot of audio recording software out there, maybe suggest that the G.parents read a few books onto a thumb drive and then give the books to the kids. Then they can read along with them even when the G.parents are not there. You can buy recordable books too. They are easier, but more expensive than the home made kind.
Can you take them to Toys R Us or something and see what interests them, or show them the catalog and see what sticks? This is how I get ideas for my kids.
If they have a lot maybe they can go through some of their old toys and decide what to donate to Good Will or the church nursery or something?
My first suggestion would be money to put away for college but if you don't want to do that my best suggestion would be them giving "experiences" to the kids. Maybe taking your 9 yr old to his/her first opera/ballet. Something really special that they will remember doing with that aunt/grandparent. Do that with the 2 older ones for sure cause they'll remember it. With the 3 yr. olds maybe give them a tumbling class/dance lessons/a day at the amusement park?? Merry Christmas!!
Can you knit or sew or embroider? I once made a dollhouse for my younger daughter. I looked in flea markets and second hand shops for the doll house furniture.
I embroidered clothing for them. Jeans are a popular item for that and new jeans are a good present. PJ's and other useful gifts to wear are good.
Have your family chip in and get an iPod each for the 9 and 7 year olds.
You don't say the gender of the twins.
I always think the holidays are a good time to clear out toys that no one plays with anymore so you can make room for all the new ones.
It's ok to ask some people to give money to the college funds. Not everyone has to give presents. Books are always really nice too.
If you do want toys, please take a look at my Discovery Toys website. The extended family can order everything online and have it sent to you if they aren't local, so you can open and wrap the gifts. The older two will love to play games like Tricky Fingers, Tactico Rush Hour and Mosaic Mysteries. The twins will love Playful Patterns, Motor Works (available after 12/5), Block It, and the Discovery Fun Playhouse.
Let me know if you have any questions or if you want a chance to get some of the toys for free!
K.
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao - find everything you need for the holidays in one great place!
