My husband and I are a little broke right now, so we've decided that it will be a smaller Christmas than normal. However, my FIL (who lives far away) is sending us $500 for us to spend on Christmas. He's designated $150 each for my kids and $100 for my both my husband and myself.
My 11 year old is easy. She's already made her list and I kind of already know what she's getting (she wants a camera).
Now, my 5 year old is oddly my hardest this year. She's TOTAL tomboy and likes outer space, Spongebob, aliens, Spiderman, etc. She just had her birthday and got a ton of books, movies, a bike,a new helmet, a globe, stuff for her new outer space themed room, etc.
She's not into electronics and our yard is total hill so I can't do outdoor kind of stuff. The only things that I can think of getting her is a new basket for her bike, some books and some black converse, lol. I do in-home childcare so we are in NO need for toys!! Granted, she'll get a few, but I'd like to keep it mostly non-toy items. My husband's side of the family is getting her board games.
Any ideas? The only thing that she's told me she wants is a new leash for her blankie. *don't ask!* :)
Would he be upset if you started a bank account for her, maybe a college fund? If you are not going to spend all of the money on her let it grow.
My 8 year old has never really been into toys, but he loves science and space, so he's gotten lots of science things through the years - books, a telescope, a microscope, a magnet experiment kit, other experiment sets (like growing your own crystals, creating gummy bugs, etc.). Maybe she would like some of those things?
This year, with three kids ranging from 2 to 8, I'm trying to get away from "things" altogether, even books (which they go through way too quickly for us to spend $5+ each on) and board games (we literally have two closets full). We're asking my parents and in-laws to help us with experience-based gifts - Six Flags season passes for the big kids, a zoo membership for the 2 year old, money for Kindermusik and tennis lessons, etc.
Other things I've been thinking about are an electric pencil sharpener (sounds cheesy but we're always getting free pencils and it takes forever to sharpen them with their tiny school sharpeners), Nerf stuff, and luggage.
Hope that helps!
Ideas that pop into my head
Telescope
Imaginext toys- they have alien/outer space themed stuff
My son got this book when he was five - they add your child to a spiderman story http://www.disneystore.com/books-entertainment-spider-man...
Bed sheets
robe and slippers
Towel sets/ bath toys
Museum membership
Magazine subscription
Sleeping bag
radio/boombox
alarm clock - my son got a lego alarm clock for his fifth birthday and LOVED it.
I would seriously consider an activity, event or membership.
Family dinner, show experience or museum, zoo, etc.
Make it a big deal!
IMO, holidays are about memories, not toys anyway.
Or an experience you can enjoy all year--museum, children's museum, etc.
Hi Betty,
Uncle Milton makes great things for kids rooms. I got my son a Moon in my Room a few years ago and he loves it. A simple nail hangs it. It displays the six phases of the moon, all easy to display by remote control, $30.
There are also star machines that project stars onto the ceiling. Some start at $25. The one we have is a plush turtle with a hard shell that projects stars. It even has different color choices for the stars.
Also, if you don't have a popcorn ceiling, there are stick-on glow-in-the-dark stars.
Have fun!
Oh gosh that is SO nice of your FIL!!! We are in the same boat. I'll be on unpaid maternity leave. I've already bought some stuff, but Christmas is going to be REALLY hard for us this year.
Can't think of any ideas specifically but I had to chime in on how nice your FIL is!
Is this from Santa or from the FIL? You could always go shopping after Christmas or even before to have the kids pick out some stuff . I bet your 11 year old would love to pick out the camera. There is an alien maker machine . Not sure where maybe T R Us . What about a 3DS ?Have a Merry Christmas !
Put the money back for a rainy day. It's fine for your daughter to have her camera and the other one to have her "leash LOL!" But you will really be grateful to have that money to fall back on if the car breaks or something happens. I cannot imagine that your FIL would put "strings" on his gift that would preclude you from holding on to the money for a while, just in case.
Dawn
Get her a gift card, so she can get things throughout the year. Our kids LOVE having money from Christmas in May when a new toy comes out. We write their names on their gift cards and they feel so good/big picking out and buying their own items.
What about a skateboard, for the 5 year old?
My son, got his first skateboard at 5 years old. He is 6 now... and he loves to skateboard.
For your daughter, you'd need to take her to a park to ride it.
I was going to say Legos & a scooter since you can get them in Spongebob & Spiderman versions. Then I got to the part about not really needing toys.
Pajamas and slippers can be plain or get the kind w/ fave characters.
Classes. If there is a sport or activity my child wants to do I put the gear under the tree. Like if my child were to take an additional extracurricular activity, soccer, I'd wrap soccer gear along with a homemade certificate for the soccer class.
Treats/Snacks. There are certain items my child loves to eat but I'm not going to let them eat every day all day long. So a bunch of treats like favorite chocolates or whatever are a gift. Favorite boxes of cereal that they don't have to share......
A metal detector and a small hand shovel.
My boys LOVE theirs. They aren't heavy, are very easy to use, and you don't have to supervise. My only rule is "put the dirt/grass back nicely."
That's so nice of him!!
My kids always get new tooth brushes, some toys, and electronics...because it's what they like. This year they are getting a trip. Can you guys give the family an annual pass to a local zoo or aquarium? Magazine subscriptions? Towel sets?
