Hellobee Boards

I don't have a lot of good toy suggestions, but maybe an 'experience' gift would be cool? Like tickets to a fun kids museum or something like that.

How about a subscription to Highlights Hello (it's the 0-2 year old version of Highlights Magazine)?

My sister gifted the toddler version to my daughter for Christmas this year (High Five is the magazine, she's 27 months old now) and she LOVES it! It's really cute and comes monthly.

http://www.highlights.com/landing/highlights-hello-magazine-for-kids-test-b?utm_expid=34107112-4&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.highlights.com%2Fhighlights-magazines-for-kids

Edited to Add: a year long subscription is $35, but there's a code for $5 off, making it $30 for the year. The code is x2jxatb5 if you are interested.

My mom made a good point this weekend that she tried to always give "disposable gifts". Meaning something you use and then can throw away. Something like coloring books, baking kits, etc. I thought it was a great idea because we all know how much we hate clutter!

For the 3 year old birthday party I just went to, I gave her a little wellness kit of lotion, bandaids, and hand sanitizer.

I know this isn't for everyone, but I think making a donation in the child's name is a really nice idea, especially when it seems like the kid already has a million toys and they are too little to expect anything.

We've been donating to Oxfam because they have a neat thing where depending on the amount, you are donating to something specific that is needed, like books for kids, honey bees, a garden, etc.: http://www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com/unique-gifts.

What about a giftcard to the local zoo or aquarium? Then the whole family could enjoy the gift!

I always prefer to give books. They grow with kids so well. If I can, I try to find ones with special themes catered to the family. Like a book with 2 brothers, or sisters, or a family that lives at the beach, or in the country, or has a certain heritage, or a character named the same as one of the kids. That kind of thing.

But I also like honeybee's idea to give an activity! A children's museum would be another place I would love.

@ktdid23: great idea, i loved Highlights