Homemade castle not good enough for Christmas??

cdsmiler

Bettyxx wrote: »

I feel bad for not yet finishing it!!

We are moving in the next couple of weeks so once all the boxes are freed up I will be making it...I have plans and plenty of newspapers for the paper mâch! parts. I also visited our toy shop and took photos of the two huge plastic ones they have for inspiration...though I don't like them particularly!!

Oh and my mother has gone out and bought dragons and knights, sadly the same ones I bought so I need to swap mine now, but at least she is on board!!

I will post pictures...I promise x

So glad your Mum's on board now!!!

Clare xxx

sandyann63

Nothing at all wrong with a toy that's homemade with love. In fact, I bet your wee boy's friends will all be jealous of the amazing castle you make him as it'll be a true one off!

My father-in-law made both my boys a proper desk each when they were small which they loved. He painted a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle on DS2's desk which he thought was amazing - nothing like that in the shops! That desk is still going strong today - our neice uses it to play offices, and DS2 is 25!

Back in 1986, he made DS1 an easel (one side for painting, the other with a chalkboard) which was far superior to any in the shops and was handed down to DS2 and then to our 2 nephews and now sits ready for our grandchildren to play with.

And, best of all, he made DS2 his very own Thomas the Tank Engine sit on train which was loved and cherished. We eventually gave it to a friend to give to their wee boy who was over the moon with it.

These are the toys that come to mind when we talk about Christmasses past and I'm sure it will be the same for your son.

DigForVictory

I'm so happy to read you're building him a real castle & not some shop bought thing with shudder-to-think artificial additives. It honestly won't matter that it is unique, inspirational, loads of fun (to make I hope?!), and a real potential family heirloom (if you go very long on the PVA and maintain running repairs).

Don't try to do too much - imagine his face when you add artificial lighting (rerouted christmas tree LEDs) next year?! And consider the baseboard - it may become part of a train layout or wargaming table in years to come. Possible siblings may be allowed stable blocks, or barracks, or a Dower House if your creative energies continue?!

If so many of us remember things our parents made with such affection, I think you're onto a complete winner here, *and* you've got Mum onto side.... :beer:

jollymummy

One of my most remembered pressies and most loved was a little wooden dolls house my Dad made for me, my Mum even made little curtains and bedspreads for it - I totally loved it, anyone can buy something but the love and time you will put into it will make it more special. Go for it and show us a pic !!

BAGGY

You can put in lighting run on batteries too. I am sure I have seen 'flame' lamps in model shops.

scaredy_cat

i think that an important theme running through the stories of hand made toys, desks, castles, trains etc etc!! is that they have lasted for years and years and years!! how many people still have plastic toys which aren't broken?

and you don't hand down plastic toys!

MrsTinks

Well... actually... I had loads handed down to me, and they were passed on again when I out grew them... but in fairness they WERE Playmobile and the older sort without many small bits LOL
Those and My Little Pony - I sold them when I got older
But my daughter now plays with the wooden handmade farm I played with as a child when we visit my mum Still going strong!
Might even see if I can make one for her for home...

BAGGY

We have 3rd generation lego. I cant bring myself to get rid of it. Bung it in the loft maybe and pass it onto the grandkids?

pinknfluffy28

hi, just popped on cos i was intrigued by the thread. just to say my dh made our youngest a wooden dolls house 2 year ago. nothing fancy, front opening, 3 floors, an opening door and 6 shutter style windows. It cost him less than £40 in materials, i then painted it white and pink usung little matchpots, decorated with wallpaper free cut off samples and material to make curtains and rugs. I then got a bulk wooden furniture lot off ebay for a little over £10. The whole thing cost under £60, it looks amazing, our dd was THRILLED, and still plays with it on an almost daily basis, two years later. If you have the creativiy, go for it, cheaper and means so much more, im hoping ours will become a bit of a family heirloom!!

scaredy_cat

i think lego being handed down is a bit different to handing down and old action man or barbie! Lego never ages!