Help! I need gift ideas for my kids for Christmas, I'm struggling to come up with things they'll actually use/play with, especially 2 year old DD. DS is 5.
What're you getting your kids or giving to relatives as ideas?
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I actually asked my kids this year. Not sure that would work so well with your two year old lol but I asked them to tell me 5 things they'd like for Christmas. I limited it so it didn't turn into an afternoon of the gimmes & told them they might not get everything they asked for but I wanted to know. It helped get my juices flowing
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I'm just kinda mixing up bday/xmas together since they're all the same month. I always struggle with DD2 (3) gifts as she has things passed down from DD1 and she plays with everything that's her sisters anyway. She loves the Disney Jr show TOTS so I already got her the playset, and my family got her extra figurines, etc.
DD1 (5) really wants the Osmo. Still debating if I want to get it for her.
Other random stuff are piggy banks (the save/spend/give ones), kid cooking knives (time to start helping!), OK to wake clock for their room, misc books/crafts...
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The biggest hits of last Xmas (when DS was 2) were Duplos and the Hess truck (lights, but no noise). And play doh!
For your DD - is she getting into dress up? You could start with some of those play silks if you don't want to do "clothes"
Also, I loved trucks as a child, so she might like some vehicles, especially dump trucks and similar styles you can put stuff into.
The smaller plastic radio flyer wagon (my first 2-in-1) continues to be a big hit (again, filling up, dumping out...) -
@Mrs. Sunshine: My 5 year old just circles everything in the entire Target toy book, lol, but limiting it to 5 things would be good! He loves counting too so double bonus.
@graceandjoy: DD is so tough cuz she just plays with brother's stuff, and babies, but I really don't need 20 of those! I think I struggle with what she wants and what I want in the house.
@BUNBUN: That truck DS would love! I think DD would like some dress up clothes, so added that to our list. -
DS3 was SO excited to get his own ok to wake clock for his birthday. I was on the fence whether we needed two since his brother always woke him up anyway, but it was definitely a big hit.
Big present for both DS 5 & 3 is a big set of knexs. Other than that we just do stockings with a mix of stuff they need, candy, and toys. Some stuff going in there are:
Matching shirts
A library book bag
Star wars underwear (5 year old's request)
Imagination Station books
Card games (There's a Moose in the House, and probably Rat A Tat Cat)
Maybe a Christmas CD
Sunglasses (DS3 just broke his).
PlaydoughFor relatives I love giving kid CDs, squeezy snacker pouch, and favorite books. I actually started a birthday book list on Amazon so I could remember ones we liked for when birthdays come around.
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Oh man I have gone wayyy overboard.
DD, 5, is getting a bunch of junk. I'm sad to say that I spoil my kids and i know I suck for it. She is getting the belle lego set, little live bear, rainbocorn, spirograph junio, a poopsie unicorn, kindi kid doll, plus clothes, candies, socks, pj'sDS, 2 is getting lego toy story set, take apart bulldozer, remote car, live pet dog, playdoh set, barn, tractor set and husquarva yard tool set, plus clothes, books, socks, candies
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Wood unit blocks, magnatiles, micro maxi/mini scooters, wobbelboard, trains, legos/duplos. I like to buy stuff that adds on to what they already have
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@Ajsmommy: lol, I had to google a bunch of those... a unicorn doll that poops slime! Oh my, the toys these days.
They are cute though!
@brownepiano: Thanks for that list! -
Not to sidetrack this post, but for those who do Santa, what do you do when your kiddo asks for something that you don't want to get for them (too expensive, they won't really use it, an annoying toy), and they say they'll just ask Santa. DS really wants a lego set that is $170. I told him it was more money than we spend on gifts for each other, and now he's insisting that Santa can bring it because toys don't cost him money. Help!
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My oldest wants an american girl car and my youngest wants a bitty baby.
@Chuckles: I say that mom has veto rights, even over Santa gifts. My oldest wanted to put “a bunch of slime” on her list but I told her not to bother because I’d play my Mom Vero card and santa wouldn’t bring it anyway
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My 5 and 2 year old boys are getting legos, dinosaurs, puzzles and board games. DS1 is also getting a watch and DS2 is getting undies to kick off potty training! On their wish lists for relatives I have outside toys and walkie talkies.
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DS (4)
Want-- Osmo kit for preschoolers
Wear-- personalized apron
Need-- pbk type chair
Read-- DH is picking but probably dinosaur books
Stocking-- See's candy, coloring bookDD (1)
Want-- Radio girly buggy
Wear-- personalized apron
Need-- pbk type chair
Read-- DH is picking
Stocking-- yogurt melts -
@Chuckles: I like the veto idea! I usually say something like “Santa knows what gifts would be good for us - so you can tell Santa your ideas but you may not get exactly that”. It’s so tricky anyway because every parent has a different idea of what Santa should spend and some kids are inevitably getting way more than others.
Also I’m just curious which lego set it is? My son has asked for that huge voltron one but I always shut it down
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DS is 5
Santa - hot wheels track
Want - lego
Need - lunch box
Wear - shirt and hat with school logo, flip shirt
Read - some little readersDD is 3
Santa - a baby doll that swims (super random but it exists)
Want - thinking a doll house
Need - maybe a backpack (hers is falling apart) but she starts school in sept and will need a bigger one then so I’m not sure. Maybe a helmet because she wants to learn to skate.
Wear - hat, flip shirt
Read - a cute book., I forget what it’s called. I think “Dear Girl”Baby boy is 16 months
Santa - mini train set. Folds up from Melissa and Doug
Want - ??
Need - bath toys maybe
Wear - few new outfits for his size
Read - got him a book this weekend but I forget what it is nowShare- got them laser tag set for at home, walkie talkies, and I’m making up a craft cart with new supplies
I also plan to get my son and husband each their own metal detector. We live at the beach and they are super into treasure hunting!
Stocking- haven’t got much but I tend to go overboard So far I’ve got a movie for the oldest, one of those baby surprise things for my daughter.. I’ll do some bath bombs. Puzzles. I love stockings.
ETA: I let them ask for just one thing from Santa, and get it in the letter and mailed so they can’t change their mind, lol
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@Mrs. Sunshine: I like the 5 things, may have to implement. I tell DS1 that his list is wishes and he may not get everything he wishes for. He then told me that whatever he doesn’t get for Christmas he will just wish to his birthday🤣
DS1 is 6.5:
LEGO set
Harry Potter movies (all 8)
Stocking stuff
He will get a couple more things but not sure yetDS2 will be 16 months:
Fridge magnets
Crayola my first touch lights for drawing
Hook chair (was going to get one anyways) -
@ALV91711: What kind of fridge magnets?!?
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@crazydoglady: sometimes you can get photo fridge magnets free on the Shutterfly app (pay shipping - it’s a frequent promo) - then you can do family photos and such! My 15 month old loves those. We also have some that look like washi tape she loves. I didn’t want anything easy to swallow, these are all flat and fairly big.
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@crazydoglady: @bhbee: jumping in to say my kids love to see themselves on the Shutterfly magnets on our fridge. I have done a big order the last two years when they have a promo and only paid shipping. I get a bunch of the set of 4 mini magnets but they are still not small enough to go in little mouths.
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@crazydoglady: I was thinking some wooden alphabet ones, I saw Melissa & Doug have some.
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@jhd: I should get new ones! Last year’s are peeling from all the kid attention
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@bhbee: a few of ours are too. DS2 might not have a baby book yet but at least he’s seen his baby pics on the fridge
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@Mrs. Champagne: love that idea that once they mail their letter to Santa they can’t change their mind! I am purposefully not getting anything big for DS1 yet because I feel like he always gets ideas in December when I have already spent what’s in my budget!
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@charm55: I love the mom veto! So smart!
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@jhd: @crazydoglady: this inspired me to check the Shutterfly app promotions today - $2 magnet sets and free shipping if you spend $10 on magnets - so 5 sets heading our way!
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@Chuckles: Love the veto idea... last year DS asked for a TV from Santa, we got him a portable dvd player, figuring, technically it's a tv but smaller/cheaper and I didn't want him having a TV in his room yet... so maybe legos but a smaller version? Although age probably makes a difference when you're trying to pass that off, lol.
@JennyPenny: Good idea with the undies for potty training, adding that to my list! I saw Walkie-Talkies on the Amazon toy list yesterday too so added those also.
I added the Baby Alive Potty Doll to DD's list to hopefully help with potty training too, it's only $15 on Walmart's Black Friday sale. -
@Chuckles: Santa knows our family rules- my daughter said she'd ask Santa for a TV . and a computer for her room, and I told her Santa knows that each family has rules and he respects that.
@Ajsmommy: I say this every year, but you do you. I love going overboard on Christmas. Its okay. Some people buy their kids stuff throughout the year- I stock pile it all and Christmas is a bonanza. I refuse to feel shamed about it- we all get to pick how we do our holidays and how we make them special. I LOVE buying Christmas gifts and wrapping them, and I limit myself the rest of the year so that I can really dig into it at Christmas. As long as you aren't going into debt, its really not the end of the world. My family celebrates the season all month long in beautiful, non commercialized, non materialistic ways that encourage generosity, peace and connection with nature- and then on Christmas day we make a special breakfast and let the kids enjoy more presents than they know what to do with.
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@Silva: you're right!! I shouldn't feel ashamed and I ususally don't but so many people are doing the minimalistic thing now adays that I feel like a glutton pig going overboard! HA... but that's how i remember Christmas..TONS OF TOYS, EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED and it was amazing. So I guess i'm just doing what i am used to and I also enjoy it.
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6 year old: science kit, diary with a lock, legos, puzzle, Gnomes at Night game, play make up, American girl school set, jewelry making kit, two new outfits, Dinotopia, and probably some kind of book she can read herself
3 year old: Hape construction vehicles, 2 tegu sets (we have some already- big hit here), add ons for our marble run, Feed the Woozle game, puzzle, Sofia Valdez book, Let's Play! book, magnatile add ons, a fox coat (he is outgrowing his favorite fox sweatshirt), new outfit
oh they are each getting a little purse and coin bag
1 year old: the new tender leaf lock box (which is too advanced for her but I don't care), a tender leaf "sensory sound" puzzle, a tambourine, and a couple books
I do a couple "joint presents"- a bath time gift which will have new towels, bath bombs, and new bath toys (to replace our old moldy ones). Also an "art supplies" gift where I replace all our art supplies that have dwindled and run out over the year- this year I"m doing a bunch of washi tape and a dispenser, new paint sticks, new chalk (we have a chalkboard wall), easel paper and new paint
I haven't decided what the santa gift will be- we have gone the route of santa giving them one joint gift and filling stockings (I've explained that Santa knows our family can afford to get more presents for the kids, so he just does a little bit)- I"m seriously considered a Nugget but might just do some outdoor stuff like kid sized snow shovels, maybe a new bird feeder, etc
as for stockings, so far my ideas are: electric toothbrushes, a couple of dress up crowns, an Audubon bird call, tegu wheels, nylon knives, maybe some enamel pins or key chains for their back packs?
I'm getting my 1.5 year old niece a tender leaf tea set, a copy of the book "Snow" by Cynthia Rylant, and some kid friendly tea- her parents are both teachers so I'm going to call it a "snow day" gift set
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@Ajsmommy: I am not raising spoiled kids just because one day a year they get ALL THE PRESENTS. Its really okay. I get why people want the minimalist Christmas morning, but I just don't.
I will say, my extended family has been good about limiting gifts which helps. I might feel differently if my parents and inlaws also went bananas- especially with stuff we didn't really want/need. I encourage experience gifts or subscription gifts from the inlaws (this year we are asking for kiwi crates) and my mom gets what we ask for so this year its Osmo. -
@Silva: you touched on my issue - our parents, family, and friends go crazy with gifts for DD’s early December birthday and Christmas. Which I am genuinely grateful for. BUT they get a lot of things we would otherwise not want in our house and it makes me feel like we have to keep our gifts smaller. It’s an interesting dilemma.
But I definitely agree that a crazy amount of gifts on Christmas does not mean you are spoiling a child.
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@catgirl: that’s definitely a tough situation and one that would upset me because I love picking out and giving gifts to my kids. Sounds like you are doing a good job finding a balance
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We still do a lot of the same gifts for both. 6y/o and 3.5y/o girls will both get:
Snow mittens
Boots (cute, not snow)
Doll clothes
StockingsJoint gift: electric keyboard
6y/o: Caboodle, Jean jacket
3.5y/o: big Melissa and Doug puzzle, CandylandFor OP my favorite gift for 2 y/o-3 y/o is a scooter if they don’t have one.
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So far for the kiddo's I have-
Want: DS is getting a wooden barn DH is making, DD not sure yet
Need: They're splitting rooms so both will be getting a new sound machine/star projector
Wear: New crocs for both
Read: DS a Vtech Write & Learn, and DD a Poke-A-Dot book
Santa: Will have to wait till we visit him next week.We do a Christmas Eve Box, with hot chocolate/marshmallows, popcorn, a family dvd - probably Toy Story 4 or the new Lion King, and then another 'family' gift like matching pj's or socks.
Stocking will be undies, toothbrushes, paint, playdoh, scented markers...
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I'm so excited to get my kids Wheely Bugs! I just don't know if I should get the exact same two animals, or two different animals because at 1.5 and 3.5 they are having trouble sharing anything and everything.
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@Silva: @Ajsmommy: I’m with you both. I don’t buy my kids anything at all throughout the year besides birthday and Christmas. They don’t even ask me anymore for things when we are out at Walmart or wherever, because they know my reply is: “Is it Christmas? Is it your birthday?”
Their lists are pretty short and reasonable, but I admittedly go a little crazy at Christmas. But that’s how I grew up - nothing all year then a bonkers Christmas. I love it. My DH, on the other hand, grew up with a smaller Christmas but getting toys/gifts randomly throughout the year. He kind of rolls his eyes a bit as the packages start rolling in this time of year, just because it’s not what he’s used to. Neither is right or wrong, just different!
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DD asked for rainbow tictacs, chocolate coins, a Baby Alive doll, and some books. So she's getting that. DS is getting a requested transformer and some books and candy. They're getting a nest swing to share and each getting a flipazoo stuffed animal that they requested as well as some bath bombs.
They are cute though!
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