Xmas Present Ideas for Children

rainmac

Hello, I know there are a few threads already about Xmas but I would like some ideas and inspiration for children's presents that are fun and don't cost the earth. I have lots of plans to make presents for other people this year and make up hampers/baskets for others but at a loss for ideas for my own children. My boys are 4 and 1 - at Xmas they will be 41/2 and nearly 2. I don't want to simply go into Toys R Us or the like and buy a trolley-load of very expensive 5 minute wonder toys just because it's Xmas.

So far, I've thought of:
A movie box for 4yo - DVD/s, popcorn, popcorn tubs, clapperboard
A craft box for 2 yo - playdoh, first paints, crayons and colouring books/printouts from PC
Going to bed box for both - pyjamas, door hanger sign for their bedrooms, book/s for bedtime stories
That's where the ideas dry up!

I know you people on this board are really clever and full of ideas so please can I have some?

SugarSpun

An enormous box - the biggest box you can find - full of balloons.

cookiedough38

I am not sure if you are looking for a main present or small presents but I am looking into buying my daughter an annual day trip ticket to a zoo or something similar, either that or a swimming card.

Also going to make her one of these to go in her stocking http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/ys/CRAFTS/IMAGES/Ratrein.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/ys/CRAFTS/Ratrein.htm&h=225&w=300&sz=19&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=HpTSgUB6QSbMSM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwashcloth%2Breindeer%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

soblivion

rainmac would this be any good?
http://skiptomylou.wordpress.com/2007/04/25/on-a-roll/

cookiedough38

soblivion wrote: »

rainmac would this be any good?
http://skiptomylou.wordpress.com/2007/04/25/on-a-roll/

that is gorgeous!

Siren137

I love that crayon roll...something to make for my niece.

Rainmac - you could make sock monkeys to go in the go to bed boxes.

http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=1104

soblivion

rainmac can I ask what skills you possess, I know you have many but do you knit or crochet, can you sew stuffed toys etc. so I will know what to look out for. The crayon roll is of no use if you can't sew IYSWIM.

Oh just to add last year I made a gift certificate book for my hubby and my son, hubbie's was naughty so we won't go into that but for my son's it was things like movie/game rental of your choice. Snack foods of your choice. Extra hour curfew. Dinner of your choosing. I'll bake your favourite biscuits 2 days notice etc. I'll tidy your room this week. Son just cashed them in with me when he wanted to use them. He said it was a brilliant present and didn't cost much at all really.

SugarSpun

I also think a dressing up box would be super cool for the older child - if you have some skill in sewing then you could adapt charity shop bargains into all sorts of things. Add a few masks and some pound shop accessories and you're sorted!

sethsgran

If you are into knitting how about the knitted farm by Alan Dart. My grandson will be almost 3 at chistmas and I am knitting him the Alan Dart Noahs Ark. I have also knit the Sheldon Turtle for him, free pattern on knitty.com

Check out Alan Dart patterns there is now a website

http://www.alandart.co.uk/pages/products

soblivion

Oh rainmac, I've just seen you're beautiful cross stitching(i'm very jealous) this will be a walk in the park for you.
I was thinking about this - http://soozs.blogspot.com/2007/10/everything-in-its-place.html to get the material would be hard but you could make it by using fabric pens on a sheet or appliqu! like the one in the link further below. Doesn’t have to be a round bag, could be done as a square. You could sew little animal stuffies or knit or crochet them. You could make a road map bag and fill with little cars, bought or made or you could even make a zoo theme set.
I also wanted to show you the pillow half way down with the little owl in, you could make a little boys animal and make it boy looking easily. That would tie in with your bedtime package. The link under also has the applique road too. http://lucykatecrafts.blogspot.com/2007_12_01_archive.html

Siren137

Oh sethsgran!! Those knitted toys are beautiful, I'm dead jealous I can't knit to save my life!! Really wish I could now that I've seen those toys I love the dragon one!!