Prezzie Help

basscadette

I'm really struggling with Christmas gift ideas this year - mainly because I am heavily pregnant, renovating a house (well, supervising), running a business and everything else. Totally overwhelmed. Every time I try to think of what to get people, my mind goes blank.

I think the adult ideas will come to me but struggling with the kids. I'm not the best at buying great gifts for kids and have had both amused and disappointed looks from bro and parents in the past for my crap present ideas for his three kids.

So can anyone give me ideas on what I can get for

a) 8 year old boy
b) 5 year old girl
c) almost three year old boy (Loves Thomas the Tank but has almost everything associated with it now.


Problem is, kids get LOTS of presents from grandparents, the two eldest from their dad and his parents, and from my bro and his wife. I spend around £20 each on them, maybe more, maybe less - doesn't matter oif the present is good. As they already get so much (apart from youngest) I do need to think outside the box somewhat as most popular stuff will already be covered.

Thanks in advance guys

CH27

basscadette wrote: »

I'm really struggling with Christmas gift ideas this year - mainly because I am heavily pregnant, renovating a house (well, supervising), running a business and everything else. Totally overwhelmed. Every time I try to think of what to get people, my mind goes blank.

I think the adult ideas will come to me but struggling with the kids. I'm not the best at buying great gifts for kids and have had both amused and disappointed looks from bro and parents in the past for my crap present ideas for his three kids.

So can anyone give me ideas on what I can get for

a) 8 year old boy
b) 5 year old girl
c) almost three year old boy (Loves Thomas the Tank but has almost everything associated with it now.


Problem is, kids get LOTS of presents from grandparents, the two eldest from their dad and his parents, and from my bro and his wife. I spend around £20 each on them, maybe more, maybe less - doesn't matter oif the present is good. As they already get so much (apart from youngest) I do need to think outside the box somewhat as most popular stuff will already be covered.

Thanks in advance guys

For the 8 year old boy i'd get Lego or Mecanno

For the girl I would struggle.

Little one I would get TTTE pyjamas or a dressing gown.

YORKSHIRELASS

I would recommend Knex for the 8 year old. Most 8 year olds have lots of lego but Knex is a brilliant alternative - my two loved it and its still a wet weather option now they are older. You will find sets to suit any budget.

To be honest when my boys were three they had so many toys its hard not to duplicate things. I think I would go for several smaller things. Maybe some crafty bits/drawing type things or games or puzzles. Maybe something practical like clothing with Thomas on?

As for the girl, sorry cant help you with that one but hopefully someone else will know!

arbroath_lass

Ask. Either the children or their parents (if you want to surprise them). That way they'll at least get something they need if not want and you'll not double up with something someone else has bought.

Could you take them out for a treat?

I wondered if there was a local steam train that does "Thomas" days for the youngest?

RLH33

For the 8 year old boy - what about a board game or even a junior sized guitar .

For the 5 year old girl - what about a gift voucher to build a bear workshop.

For the 3 year old - ticket to nearest 'meet Thomas' event? You could buy this for all three actually as I am sure they would all enjoy it!

basscadette

arbroath_lass wrote: »

Ask. Either the children or their parents (if you want to surprise them). That way they'll at least get something they need if not want and you'll not double up with something someone else has bought.

Could you take them out for a treat?

I wondered if there was a local steam train that does "Thomas" days for the youngest?

You're right - asking is the obvious route. One that I take every year and get 'we'll let you know' mumbled at me every time I ask. Nightmare. Trying to get it all sorted and ordered now so I don;t end up having to go shopping at christmas and It'll be next Christmas before I get a solid, constructive answer out of my brother. :rotfl:

Trips are not a great idea for me tbh. They have been to the steam train thingy with my parents but I'm not one for taking three kids out myself (plus a baby anytime soon). Besides, I need gifts that they can open on Christmas day really.

The ideas for the eight year old are great - building meccano lego stuff. WIll definitely look into that thanks :j

Clothes, I usually get them all an item of clothing to go with their present.

Xaniwoop

My nearly 5 yr old dd is getting littlest pet shop stuff (great prices at your nearest home bargains) Barbie, Disney's tangled on DVD, sylvanian families.

For the 3 year old I'd recommend wooden railway stuff (like Brio but probably a cheaper version eg from tesco) it's within his capabilities to play with it now but will be fun for years to come and you can always add to it if he already has some. you can get thomas and friends trains to run on it from ELC or google big-jigs they do a huge range of accessories like magnetic cranes, turntables, engine sheds at really good prices.

Bloomin_Freezing2

My eldest is 6, she likes anything barbie, princess, bratz dolls & moxie girls - all 'barbie' type dolls. Polly Pocket, Zoobles are popular too. Does the 5yr old play with baby type dollies? One she can push round in a pram? What about a dressing up outfit?

At 5 my daughter also liked (and still does) arts and crafts type presents such as decorate a jewellery box with gems, make your own jewellery etc.

meritaten

Take it easy on yourself hun - you have a lot to cope with right now!
I did so admire an elderly lady I served a few years back when I temped in Argos for Christmas.
She just bought ten £20 vouchers, and 5 or 6 £10 vouchers. I must have looked at her strangely, cos she said 'Thats my christmas shopping all done - I am rotten at choosing presents and everyone shops here'! 'Oh and I get my cleaning lady a bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates' lol

basscadette

Bloomin_Freezing2 wrote: »

At 5 my daughter also liked (and still does) arts and crafts type presents such as decorate a jewellery box with gems, make your own jewellery etc.

I don't think she really 'does' dollies but she is crafty (got her an art set last month for her birthday) but these 'make your own' ideas are fantastic, thank you. Great idea:j This is something I would have loved at that age actually and it never even crossed my mind.

basscadette

meritaten wrote: »

Take it easy on yourself hun - you have a lot to cope with right now!
I did so admire an elderly lady I served a few years back when I temped in Argos for Christmas.
She just bought ten £20 vouchers, and 5 or 6 £10 vouchers. I must have looked at her strangely, cos she said 'Thats my christmas shopping all done - I am rotten at choosing presents and everyone shops here'! 'Oh and I get my cleaning lady a bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates' lol

Lol I would get everyone vouchers if I could but this hasn't gone down well in the past - I think my family find it lazy, like I couldn't care less. I also don't like people to know how much I have spent hehe. If i can get bargains then they can get more!