I have a lot of family members who are starting their Xmas shopping now and are asking me for ideas for my two kids. I've got some good ideas for my three year old girl, but I have a baby boy who will be six months old in December and I'm drawing a blank. I don't believe in getting tons of presents at this age (he'll be more interested in the paper) but that won't work for the grandparents who LOVE shopping for their grand kids. Any suggestions? I love wooden toys like Melissa and Doug stuff but other than that, I'm lost.
Books, and blocks. What else does a kid need? Oh, and money for college (seriously I have two kids in college now and it is CRAZY expensive!!!)
BOOKS! Books for little ones are great gifts. I always give my grand niece and grand nephew books for Hanukkah and their birthdays. Their parents like this!
Clothes always come in handy !
At six months, your son isn't going to be offended by receiving socks and underwear! He could be given some clothes, some inexpensive baby toys (balls, rattles... not the fancy stuff that he'll grow past too quickly!), and some of those really sturdy board books that he can't tear up or damage (much) with his teeth. Grandma and Grandpa could also give him a trip to the zoo when they come to visit.
One of the best presents I've seen is a table the baby can sit at (or in) with buttons, lights, and noises all around him. I've seen little ones stay occupied with that for a long time.
Oh yes, and save the boy some of that wonderful Christmas wrapping paper to play with after the presents are opened....
Board books and an array of sippy cups and eating/snacking supplies like dishes and fun spoons
Good Luck
I would request practical items! Seriously, if they insist on buying, get me what we NEED
Clothes for sure, even for next season/up a size. Baby wash, diapers, wipes, crib sheets, anything you can think of that perhaps you don't have enough of but always forget to get at target when you're out (like for me, that would be crib sheet and a baby brush!)
Passes to the children's museum or zoo
DVD's he can enjoy for a few years - Elmo, Barney, Hi-5, counting and shapes movies, etc.
Clothes. Things he will like in the next few months. Bibs. Feeding supplies. I think we did a lot of practical things for DD, who was also 6 mo. old at Christmas. Books. Chew things other than the books. ;)
Ask for things he will grow into - like the Melissa and Doug toys, blocks, Fisher Price Little People (or skip the Little People and go straight for their Imaginext), wooden puzzles, balls, stuffed animals, books and clothes. They grow so quickly and baby clothes are adorable (ie fun to buy!), so give different sizes out to different family members (12m, 18m etc) and you'll be set for the next year.
Do you need book suggestions? My kids loved the board books with real photos in them - we had a few of transportation vehicles, baby signs, color themes, animals etc. They looked at those over and over and over. We also wore through our Richard Scarry books (What Do People Do All Day?, Cars and Trucks and Things That Go). Smash and Crash by Jon Scieza (? ...it's been a while!) was also very popular. For your 3 year old, have you tried the Mr. Putter series, by Cynthia Rylant? Adorable (and grandparents will love those books, too)
Have fun!
I would get him some riding toys like Little Tikes car coupe or one of those little bikes with the long handle so that the parent can push the child.
jammies
bibs
sippy cups
toddler dishes/silverware
books
Clothes, shoes, diapers, sippy cups, portrait studio gift cards, memberships to area places museum, zoos, etc.
Just get a Fisher Price and Little Tykes catalog. This is such a fun age. So much out there. The can get things that range from 6 to 18 months or more.
My son was that age last year. Family got a lot of books and some clothes. I got him a "taggy" dog and a few other small things. he will be 18 months this year and we aren't planning on going crazy this year either, at this point its a nice memory for you, but they have no concept. I would do something you think would be educational. and BTW. i love melissa and doug, so i am all with you there. lol
Books, books and more books.
And book store gift cards!
Although grandparents don't like to hear it, one of the best gifts they can give is a donation to a college fund.
One thing that comes to mind is books. You can never have enough.
Do you have a wagon? It's something you can use in a few months, and something he will play with as he gets older.
What about an activity table if you don't already have one. I can't think of the real name, but low table with lights, sounds and lots of buttons to push. The legs could be off for now to just play. Push toy for when he gets older. Some kind of ball to push and roll. Parachute, I've seen them at party stores, and both kids could enjoy it.
Water table for next year might be fun. Passes or year membership to a children's museum, zoo, or park, or botanical gardens. Baby and me classes- music, swim, etc.
For the 6 month old:
-those toys that clip onto their car seat handle so they have something to
look at/eventually play with as you drive
-blanket w/toys attached to a bar so when they are laying down
-soft blocks
-baby dishes for when she starts to eat
-shopping car covers for when she is ready to sit in cart
-bouncy chair for snoozing/lounging. Good for now @ this age
-walker
-bouncy thing that hangs in doorway for them to have fun bouncing in
V-tek has a lot of nice toys on the educational side.
