Gift for my friend's kids?

ladybugruby2

My best friend emigrated to New Zealand 7 years ago. I last saw her 6 years ago when her oldest was still a baby. Haven't met the youngest two. We still get on really well. They're finances have always been very tight for various reasons. Consequently, although I've sent her and the kids presents over the years, she only ever sent me a card the kids made for my wedding which was really touching and beautiful especially as she told me that they really wanted to come.

Her husband's parents are paying for the 5 of them to come home for Christmas but they'll be in Northern-most Scotland and not travelling any further South than Aberdeen. Consequently, to go and see them, we will be going on a six hour plus train journey both ways.

Anyway: to my question... I would like to buy the kids a gift for Christmas (but will buy after Christmas in the sale hopefully as I'm not seeing them until January). I don't have kids and nor do many of my friends so this is kind of new to me... plus I don't actually know what toys the kids actually have. I know Mum and Dad continue the frugal outlook with the children - who are now 2, 4 and 6. Last year each child had 10 NZD spent on them. They couldn't afford more. They don't have a TV because they would rather the kids were outdoors playing so aside from the occasional movie on the laptop, they are not used to TV characters. I know my friend would be upset if I bought them a really expensive present and to be honest, I don't have loads of money to spend anyway. I asked on my facebook and most of the parents suggested I buy them an iPad!!! I can't even justify spending on an iPad for myself and thus I certainly wouldn't be spending that on someone else's children! Can anyone suggest some good classic gifts to give them please? I am willing to spend up to about £100 (poss more depending on the gift) on the three as it's unlikely I'll see them another six years anyway. I thought 2 year olds anyway prefer to play with the boxes than the toys! Ideally the gift will be easily portable as I am sure family will give them many gifts but a classical gift that they can enjoy for years?

Don't know if that is too much to ask! Have looked at toy websites and am drawing a blank.

Thank you. x

MaggieBaking

Oh my God do you have rich friends!!!! And no, I wouldn't be buying them an iPad either

Aberdeen's very lovely, I used to live there for a while and the train journey will be pretty

As they emigrated perhaps you could get them British gifts to remind them of their "homeland"?

I'm thinking maybe a Monopoly set for the family - if you only bought one big item you could even make it a personalised set for areas that the parents knew and loved? http://www.firebox.com/product/1565/My-Monopoly?aff=512&awc=550_1323037366_86aea22fe0cccb1fc851f2d4512cc12f

You could make up a batch of traditional British sweets for them to take home to their friends? I think the laws about bringing food in means it should be a commercially sold product in a production sealed bag, but do check the rules on that. This little "North Pole" set looks awesome on Lakeland - http://www.lakeland.co.uk/60089/North-Pole-Sweet-Shoppe

Hmm, 2, 4 and 6... I will say that no parent enjoys getting a "noisy" gift for little ones :rotfl: (I have made that mistake before) What sexes are they?

kathie1101

I have a couple of ideas. You mention that they live quite a frugal life and don't have a tv - so I imagine that the eldest child at least will probably spend quite a bit of time reading (or at least be encouraged to) and probably the other 2 children will be used to books too. Perhaps a set of the childrens classics would be appreciated, and can be used by all 3 children as they get older, along with maybe a book for each of them that is appropriate for them now. Or a book token so that they could go an choose their own.

Alternatively/as well how about a few craft bits and bats? It's something that most children enjoy doing, and if they made you a card for your wedding I'm sure they would appreciate having some new bits so that they can make more things.

Whatever you decide to buy, I would try and keep it fairly light and/or smallish as I'm sure they will have lots of things to take back with them.

P.s If you do decide on a book token - if you get a WH Smiths one, make sure to print out some of the money off coupons from the privilege club for January for them as they will get more books for their money then :money:

kayandy_2

I was going to say craft bits as all children no matter age or sex love crafting!! Or how about some duplo blocks? Couldn't you ask your friend for ideas as she will know what they need ect! Maybe some new clothes?

loopylass

family board games

craft and activity sets

books

but i would also ask the mum what they need/want

ladybugruby2

Thanks for the suggestions. The youngest and oldest are boys and the middle child is a girl.

I've asked her but she's rubbish at replying to her email and because I know I'm going to be too busy around Christmas / New Year to have the time to think about it, I'm trying to bookmark things to buy in the sales.

I'm glad other people think an iPad is unreasonable too! I wondered if this was now the norm for kids' party gifts or something?! Ironically, all the friends suggesting iPads earn way less than we do. Most of them are often very worried about their finances and how they will afford basics like their bills. Now I know why!

kayandy_2

Well why not make a few little hampers up between all of them like a craft hamper a family game hamper a film hamper (you said they watchthem on laptop) a story hamper you could include finger puppet to make it more fun since there quite young!! I'm not really sure what else tbh sorry

Ribena-addict

I may be able to offer a few suggestions, you mention they don't encourage tv/film so the children are probably used to creative toys, bearing in mind the gifts have to be packed in a case for the trip home they can't be too large either.
I do agree that books are great for children's gifts but as they are staying with relatives the younger ones may prefer a gift they can play with.

I love the early learning centre toys & at the moment there are codes for free delivery & also a 20% off
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/746667

For the youngest boy you can't go wrong with happyland, my daughter & all her friends still play with this at four years old.
http://www.elc.co.uk/HappyLand-Sunflower-School-Bus/119717,default,pd.html

[URL="http:///www.elc.co.uk/HappyLand-Goosefeather-Farm/125675,default,pd.html"]http:///www.elc.co.uk/HappyLand-Goosefeather-Farm/125675,default,pd.html[/URL]

link to see all the range
http://www.elc.co.uk/HappyLand/5503,default,sc.html


For the little girl the rosies world range is fab & I have got a few more items from this range for my daughters christmas including the ice cream van that I can't wait for her to see
http://www.elc.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-ELCENGB-Site/default/Search-Show?q=rosie

for the oldest boy how about something he can make like this
http://www.elc.co.uk/Build-It-Xtreme-Driver/127491,default,pd.html

The melissa and doug magnetic dress up sets are brill too, I got the double dress up for my daughters christmas eve hamper and they have boy sets
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melissa-Doug-Abby-Magnetic-Dress-Up/dp/B00272N8F8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1323050205&sr=8-4

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melissa-Doug-Billy-Magnetic-Dress-Up/dp/B0033UWNCW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1323050264&sr=8-5

a few ideas for you to look at.

Owain_Moneysaver

Cuddly Loch Ness Monsters - they can have a family of them.

Lunar_Eclipse

My husband's from New Zealand. We have visited several times and have friends who live there.

A few things that people often comment on NZ lacking: decent affordable clothes (Next, M&S etc), shoes and books! When my good friend comes back to visit, she stocks up hugely on clothes, shoes and books for her children.

I would perhaps consider a token gift such as Christmassy fleecy pjs from Primark with a selection box; £5, and then vouchers. M&S and/or Amazon perhaps. She'll probably be wanting to stock up with another 6 years worth of M&S undies!

The Book Depository has free worldwide delivery for all their books, unlike Amazon, but sadly does not appear to offer gift certificates which I thought might be perfect and an ongoing gift for their frugal lifestyle. I've gone completely off piste your request for classic Christmas presents though; I thought the family boardgame idea was excellent.

NZ is comparatively expensive and although the climate is generally slightly warmer than the UK on average, central heating in houses is not very common. Thus fleecy pjs would go down a treat, sized slightly up since they'll be going home for Summer and thus hit winter in July/August.

Tamster150

I have bought this London-in-a-bag set to send to friends in Germany. They also do a set of wooden london vehicles (routemaster bus, black cab etc) There are all from here

Some nice books maybe - The Book People do selection packs 10 books for £10