Hellobee Boards

For DS's last party I told them "anything Star Wars or Lego related" didn't mention any specific gifts

I think I'd just say general things they like - my son loves trucks and animals and I'm getting him a play kitchen for Christmas, so if anybody asks I'll say maybe some toy trucks or play food for the kitchen.

I'd make an Amazon wish list.@Adira: when someone buys an item from a list does it disappear or show as purchased like a registry?

For my parents or bro/sil I tell them something specific. But for just people invited to her bday party I usually just give them some things she's in to (Anna and Elsa from Frozen, Trains, Baby Dolls, Art Projects, etc) and leave it at that. That way it's a big category and then can buy something in their price range.

My friend sent me her son's amazon wish list. IT WAS AMAZING. I'm doing them for everything now.

@blackbird: this is actually genius

I jsut went through this and when asked I had some ideas:

for "normal" party goes I gave suggestions of Disney/PIxar movies, art supplies, pajamas (she's obsessed), adn doll accessories.

For grandparents who both like to give a bigger gift i gave the ideas of a bike and swingset accessories.

@Mamaof2: I feel like a large price range should always be presented, no matter the gifter. I picked her son up a board game for about $10. Ours has $3 books on it.

I usually say, "She'd love anything you pick for her, but she is really into trains, puzzles, Thomas the tank engine, Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, and Daniel Tiger." As much as I'm not crazy about characters I feel like it is easier to go with "genres" than specific items.

We've requested no gifts for her birthday party though so this is just family.

My default is: books, blocks, or craft supplies.

Amazon wish list is the easiest for most people. If they ask a specific question, I'm more than happy to answer (like clothing size, interests, etc).

Depends who it is...if it's family, I have no problem telling them something specific, but my default is always books.

I have an amazon wish list going- I add things that we are thinking about getting (ie more expensive items and things for the future) and I let people know that. It helps because I have had people decide to go in on a gift too and they nabbed one of the more expensive options.

That being said, for a more casual friend from play group I am more likely to say something like "she just got a play kitchen but is stuck with our recycling bin contents right now and she loves being read to." It helps steer them but isn't too specific and it doesn't suggest a budget.

I'll give suggestions to friends who ask...princesses, clothes, crafts, books. Some of our family members usually want specifics (book titles, type of clothing, etc.) so I'll send a wish list.