Hello all
My daughter is 2 1/2 years old, and she has tons of toys. She is the first grandchild for my parents, and the first great grandchild on one side of the family, so you can imagine the spoiling done there. Also, my mom saved a lot of my toys from when I was little, so her room is overflowing. My problem is that people are already asking what to get her for Christmas. And I have no idea what to tell them-any ideas?
Leapfrog DVDs (there are quite a few that teach letter sounds and early reading), puzzles, a bike or tricycle, a scooter, roller skates, zoo membership, art classes, savings bonds etc...
Dvd's
Savings Bonds
Clothing a size bigger than she currently needs
Outside toys like sleds,picnic tables, trikes
We have a similar problem. I have two kids (4 years and 19 months) and we have tons of toys. Since my oldest got a lot of toys and his sister now plays with those. Clothes are always good, also puzzles and books, decorations for their rooms, new sheets for their beds, outdoor toys, certificates for going to the zoo or children's museum. Those are what I'm telling people to get our kids. They will of course still get some toys but I try to limit it so not everyone gets them a toy.
We face the same issues each time a birthday/gift giving holiday rolls around -- especially with the grandparents who are so generous! So, what we have begun doing is asking for family memberships to the Children's Museum, Science Museum, Edinborough Park, The MN History Center, etc. This way, their gift lasts the whole year through and we can arrange outings in which the giver can join us for a fun/education day (which also reminds our children to be thankful for that which they receive as they wouldn't be able to enjoy such a day without the generosity of said relative)!
Hair assesssories, dress up dresses and shoes. I knew what sizes and what the wheather was going to be like for her so I asked for winter clothes in one size and summer in the next. Shoes too. If her ears are peirced then earrings? Big dangly bracelettes and necklaces. Play dough, washable markers, crayons ,paints, and chalk are things that I ask for since I run out from time to time. We have an easel we recieved for Christmas last year and the kids still play with it every day! I actually have the same issue with my daughter. She will be six in May and my parents saved a lot from my childhood. So they took her to the American Girl Store in Chicago and at 2 1/2 years old she got a doll that looks like her and it goes with her just about every where! I let her love her and I clean this doll up easily and she looks as good as new. They are a bit expensive, but well worth it. Every girl she knows is now getting them if they didn't have one already and no one regrets the cost. My parents buy the doll gifts too! It is fun. I now have one and we play and I read her the books. I guess they are a status symbol, but she is my daughter's most loved doll. They also have bitty babies if you want something more age appropriate. I thought we'd get one of those, but she insisted on her Joey 18" girl. When I saw how she took care of her I new we made the right choice. It makes for a good distraction when the next baby comes along. My daughter didn't like play babies, but dressed her doll and washed her face and took her to play and drink tea while I took care of her baby brother :) It has been 3 years and she still sleeps with her.
