Make a sick child smile this xmas

addictedtolush

Vikki - You have some great ideas there hun, the art set from whsmiths seems like a great bargain. Its surprising what you can find once you start looking. As its xmas we tend to go to most of the major supermarkets to get bits and take advantage of the deals so will look at the supercook stuff. Thats a great idea! xx

roosterbean

Thanks for those ideas Vikki - I'm going to look for some cookie cutters etc and put some play doh in as well. I am also trying to look for a bubble gun or big bubble wand - they could be played with in the bath if its too cold outside.

Oh and Wilkos are selling rainbow coloured slinkies for 99p - got some for my sons but I think I will get some to go in my Elf pressies too!!

Please keep the ideas coming folks - I want to do quite a big box...

lauzjp

I'm being an elf and a reindeer for two little cuties, I'm so looking forward to it!

roosterbean

Hey Lauzjp, good for you :A and welcome to this thread. Are your little cuties boys or girls - or both?...

I'm really excited too - I'm busy reading up on christmas stories so I can write 9 different reindeer postcards, I also want to time it so that my pal receives his last postcard from Rudolph on Christmas Eve (may have to send it a little earlier and ask his parents to keep it for xmas eve just to make sure it gets there on time!).

Would love to know what you are planning to send in your Elf box?....:santa2:

bride_on_a_budget

Hi,

i think its a great idea, i have emailed the head elf and i am waiting for a reply. i sais i dont mind what gender or age, and they are desperate for elfs for teenage boys, what would you get them? i know it says no food or chocolate but what else can you get a teenager


bride on a budget

ceebeeby

IMHO only ....

... I think the posting part (reindeer) is absolutely brilliant!! It's a fabulous idea, and I know that this will bring a smile to many a child's face - especially if they are in hospital. It really is a lovely and thoughtful gift.

But

... I totally disagree with the advertising / encouraging of sending parcels to children with cancer or undergoing transplant. In my experience, this particular patient category will never ever go without at Christmas (friends, family and their hospital will make absolutely sure about that) - the children are often overwhelmed with gifts, and many well intended donated gifts never actually get to the child (for example you cannot give a cuddly toy from a stranger to a child undergoing a transplant - there are many more exclusions as well).

I'm sure it won't be a palatable opinion, but to me, by advertising that this gift is for children with cancer or undergoing transplant, is an unfair play on the publics heart-strings.

You're probably thinking, "Bah Humbug", I'm just trying to get over, that the child will benefit hugely from the cards etc. but I'm not so sure about the parcels - and I would be massively disappointed to think people with limited spare money were some how guilt tripped into doing something, that may not be as appreciated as it first seems.

I hope this post (which just to repeat is only my individual opinion) doesn't come across as totally negative. I have huge amounts of respect for this very reputable organisation - the cards and letter programme is brilliant ... but not parcels.

roosterbean

Hi there, I respect your opinion totally - you seem like the perfect candidate for a Reindeer - you may not agree with the present giving, but there are many children that will thrive on your imaginative story telling of nine reindeer. Christmas is not all about monetary gains, however, being an Elf makes me feel that I can make a difference and makes me feel like a better person.

Actually, now I think of it, being a Reindeer is the more difficult option - I am struggling to think of what to put in 9 different postcards!!

I would be grateful if you could share any ideas to put in the postcards!!

ceebeeby

Depending on the age of your audience, your reindeers might like to:

Visit a relative
Be poorly / get better (children who are poorly often 'share' their condition with their teddies etc.)
Go to the forest to select a Christmas Tree
Go out carol-singing (care home, hospital)
Go christmas shopping
Bake a christmas cake
Knit a christmas present for their favourite teddy
Make a christmas present (give instructions with few pieces of material available in a hospital - i.e. how to make a christmas hat out of a toilet bowl)
Go to a christmas party
Make a nativity calendar
Help santa wrap up presents
Look after the younger reindeers
Prepare to go on holiday
Visit children in hospital (not sure about this one - as I'm sure we wouldn't let reindeers in!!)
Wrap up warm and staying inside on a chilly night
Watch a favourite TV show (latest TV show)
Go to a pop concert - especially if you know the child's favourite singer
Go to a football match and getting to play
Go ice-skating with Santa
Run out of petrol half-way around the world delivering presents and having to improvise on carrots and mince-pies
Find extra "dream" helpers for Christmas eve (i.e. children who are good at making wishes in their minds, and who can write them down in the morning)
Go on a journey - not the present delivering one
Run out of carrots
Say what the reindeers do January - November each year

.... I'll try and think of some more.

sammy_kaye18

Is anyone else having problems with the site this morning - ive just been given my name but dont know whether its a boy or girl adn i cant get on teh site for soem reason!

lauzjp

roosterbean wrote: »

Hey Lauzjp, good for you :A and welcome to this thread. Are your little cuties boys or girls - or both?...

I'm really excited too - I'm busy reading up on christmas stories so I can write 9 different reindeer postcards, I also want to time it so that my pal receives his last postcard from Rudolph on Christmas Eve (may have to send it a little earlier and ask his parents to keep it for xmas eve just to make sure it gets there on time!).

Would love to know what you are planning to send in your Elf box?....:santa2:

I'm an elf for an absolute little cutie girl, and a reindeer for a little boy. My girlie likes High School Musical and Hannah Montana - so that'll be very easy (and cheap - thank you Asda!). I will come post here later to compare notes with you!

As for what ceebeeby has said - I did initially think that too, but then I read thank you messages from the parents, who are too busy concentrating on the welfare of their child to think about presents. I did ask on another thread if there were any similar things to shoeboxes that one could contribute to... I endeavour to do shoeboxes for the forces next year (as well).