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shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 389
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 2:38 pm: |     |
You know the story. They already have too many toys, but they need to open SOMETHING on the holidays. Plus, they're the only nieces and grandchildren, so their grandparents, aunts, uncles and older cousins love to spoil them. PLUS, we celebrate Hanukkah AND Christmas. What unusual/creative/not-too-expensive ideas might you have to give 6, 4 and 6 month old sisters for the holidays? Specifically, I need gifts they can physically OPEN.
Thanks! |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 1310
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 4:48 pm: | |
Shh-
Let me give you my perspective as the paternal Aunt: give up on the creativity. The Grandparents have that one all wrapped up. You are right, they just care about something to open. The key is finding something that they don't own already.
(Once I made the mistake of telling my parents - the grands- that they took all the joy out of my trying to get the kids presents by buying everything in sight they might ever think about wanting. You can imagine the response I got....)
My 2 & 1/2 y/o niece loves to dress up, so any article of clothing will do. How about play costumes for the 4 & 6 year olds (if they like that sort of thing). I.e., for a princess, you can probably get inexpensive crowns, tutus, etc. from a party store, especially after Halloween. Throw in a story book with the characters for which you've bought the dress-up clothes.
Unless these are your own kids  , Playdough always goes over well. As for the baby, I got my youngest niece a cute little stuffed pea: it's a plush toy that little fingers can learn to open & there are little plush bugs inside. I also got one for a friend's child that was a mamma duck with baby ducks inside. They put the babies/bugs in & out of the duck/pod. I think I got one at Richard Roberts & the other at that childhood store in the little plaza across from bed, Bath & Beyond in Short Hills. Or, for the baby, you can always just find a non-toxic bow for her to chew on....
P.S. A note to all the grandparents out there: we aunts & uncles would like a chance to spoil the children, too. Especially when we don't have our own. Would you consider not spending your entire retirement on the kids & leave something fun for us to buy?  |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 390
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 5:12 pm: | |
Greenetree, that's the problem...THEY ARE MY KIDS! I mean, everyone else wants to buy them stuff, so I need a few things for Santa to leave them under the tree too.
Dress up stuff. Ugh. I could clothe an entire school of fairies!
Hanukkah isn't as tough. We sometimes "forget" some of the nights, and since "we're" giving them the gifts, it's ok if they get books, bath stuff, pj's, and other useful things, but from Santa, that's where I'm stuck! |
bella
Citizen
Username: Bella
Post Number: 249
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 5:51 pm: | |
What about the toys, books, etc. you liked as a child?
I use to love playing with Tinker Toys & Lincoln Logs.
Hungry Hippos was a big hit one holiday. I remember trying desperately to beat my sister.
I always liked new coloring books and 64 pack Crayolas (with the built in sharpener).
What about ColorForms or Shrinky Dinks?
Bubble bath is always a popular choice for little girls.
As far as books go: The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, Strawberry Girl, the Katie John books, books by Caroline Haywood, the Little House books. The Sesame Street book, There Is A Monster At The End Of This Book is good for younger readers.
None of these would break the bank, and I loved all of them. |
nan
Citizen
Username: Nan
Post Number: 586
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 6:42 pm: | |
For the baby, just find something that will look interesting in the photos you take--so maybe something weird and memorable, like a stuffed boa constrictor or vampire bat....
For the 4 & 6 year olds:
Dover books has great activity books for 4 and 6 year olds, including origami kits, unique paper dolls, "How to draw" instructions and sticker scenes. I buy them by the ton for gifts and rainy days and resturants. They have a website: http://www.doverpublications.com which I have never been on (I get a catalog a day from them) but I hear it is good.
Some other suggestions:
--Art supplies of any kind.
--Jewlery
--Legos (you never have enough Legos)
--Software (you can always get cheap software)
--Videos (The Secret Garden--the one with Maggie Smith is great)
--and of course--a puppy! (only kidding)
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phyllis
Citizen
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 94
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 7:09 pm: | |
When I'm at a loss, I like going to really good toystores, with people who are into kids' stuff. The woman in babyland in Millburn has been really helpful, there's a great place in Summit and also a great great place in Hoboken. You can just go right up and ask for some suggestions, and I've found in all three cases they don't just lead you to most expensive. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 391
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 8:25 pm: | |
Ah yes. The puppy. If only I were to give in to the constant "I really want a pet" pleas, I wouldn't have to worry about putting anything under the tree!
I appreciate the suggestions. I do like to get them the "rainy day" kind of stuff, as it always comes in handy, gets used up and clears up more space for the next holiday.
Other things I was thinking of:
personalized jewelry boxes (with drawers for all their gazillion little trinkets)
a nice wooden rocking chair for the baby
my dream gift: cleaning up and finishing their playroom, getting the right kind of storage in there, etc.(so even their old stuff that's been packed away looks new)
big personalized totes stuffed with all of the above that can fit
Now that's good for me, what about their 10 sets of aunts/uncles, cousins and grandparents? |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 24
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 10:00 am: | |
My five-year-old girl likes hair accessories -- headbands, barettes, clips -- the fancier, the better. Also, blow pens are popular and inexpensive. |
kathy
Citizen
Username: Kathy
Post Number: 423
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 5:53 pm: | |
We also do both Hanukkah and Christmas. I tend to get my kids books for Hanukkah, or small silly things. They're way beyond Santa Claus now, but when they were of that age (and I never introduced Santa, they picked him up from outside somehow) Santa brought each of them one present, which appeared overnight on Christmas eve and was not wrapped. (In keeping with traditional images of Santa with his sack of toys.) He also put some things in their stockings. The rest of their presents were from their parents and other known sources.
When I was a kid we had neighbors whose family tradition was that Santa brought not only all the presents, but the tree!! Talk about setting yourself up for a nightmare every Christmas eve.... |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 393
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 6:50 pm: | |
Kathy, I love that! I generally set up their Christmas gifts so it looks like "Santa" set them up. Thanks! |
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Elizabeth
Post Number: 54
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 7:43 am: | |
Many years ago my sister gave my 3 year old daughter a purse within a purse within a purse within a purse. The purses all closed differently (snaps, buttons, zippers, etc.) and I think they each also contained some little trinket. Upon receiving this present my daughter ignored all other gifts, opened or not, and played with the purse for pretty much the rest of the day.
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pmart
Citizen
Username: Pmart
Post Number: 42
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 9:35 am: | |
My 4 yo still plays with the little kitty in a carrier Santa brought last year. It was probably $5 from Target. Otherwise, aside from the usual toys...
- Books on tape/cd
- Silly or cartoon character toothbrushes and toothpaste (good stocking stuffer)
- Puzzles and puzzle/maze books
- Markers, Paint Sets, Paint-by-numbers
- Animal-shaped soaps for the bath,
- Games (Boggle Jr., Scrabble Jr., Candyland, etc.),
- Videos/DVDs. This year's releases include: Barbie, Monster's Inc, B & Beast, and Spirit (a very nice movie)
- Ballerina jewelry box
- Slippers, towel sets, bathrobe |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 1314
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 9:35 am: | |
Shh-
I was at Rag Shop in Essex Green yesterday. They have a face painting kit & a body crayon kit. I thought the body crayons were very cute. They come attached to a book which shows how to draw things like animal faces on knee caps. The book may be too advanced for a 6 year old, but the crayons are great. The face painting kit was $4 & the crayons $15. |
mim
Citizen
Username: Mim
Post Number: 206
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 11:12 am: | |
Rag Shop in Essex Green?!? I've been driving another several miles past there, to the one out by the K-Mart. (I know how to get there, but I don't know its official location.) That's good to know, greenetree. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 1318
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 1:31 pm: | |
Wait! I was wrong! I always get Essex Green confused with the K-Mart shopping center. You are right, Mim. But, it's only about a mile north of Essex Green, at the corner of Prospect & Eagle Rock. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 394
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 4:36 pm: | |
Greenetree, screw the kids! I'm getting the body crayons for me and Mr. Shh. Sounds like fun! |
wbg69
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 20
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 5:56 pm: | |
Klutz books are GREAT for kids - they love to do the activities, the supplies are included and they are a great price. You can find them at the Discovery Store at Short Hills mall among other places. I have given these for years and kids consistently love them.
Also, Imaginarium (also at Short Hills) has GREAT (i.e., intelligent) toys and games for kids - that are not the boring, obviously-supposed-to-be-for-learning kind. good luck! |
nakaille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 1257
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, October 25, 2002 - 5:07 pm: | |
Another tack we've tried that seems successful is to get small individual items and then a good game for the whole family, parents included. Like Upwords or Double 15 Dominoes or Set or whatever strikes your fancy. I enjoy promoting family game times.
Bacata |
jeanneh
Citizen
Username: Jeanneh
Post Number: 10
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 29, 2002 - 3:07 pm: | |
As a children's book designer, may I suggest books. Lots and Lots of Books!
Workman Publishing publishes a BRAINQUEST series which are a fan of Q&A cards for all grade levels. They even have preschool decks (which I designed).
A great place to shop for educational toys is on Morris Ave, heading out towards Short Hills, Across from Shop Rite (Milburn?Shorthills?) --in the same little strip mall as the bagle place and that quick haircutting place. It's awful, as I can't remember the name of it.
6 month old babies like to bite things.
4 year olds love music and silly songs--Baby Beluga by Raffi was very popular with my kids.
6 year olds love smaller toys--Polly Pocket is a huge rave. Its' a tiny doll with tiny things.
One of my most favorite gifts I got as a child was a 99 piece art set. It had everything! I used it for years and years. Now I'm an artist-- coincidence? I think not! |
cfa
Citizen
Username: Cfa
Post Number: 665
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 8:37 am: | |
Shh,
When my girls were small, my ex-wife and I bought all of their toys. We knew what they wanted, since we were Santa. We asked family to not buy them toys. I remember one year my parents bought them each (twins) an electronic Barbie car and Aunts and Uncles bought them a swing set.
Why not have them chip in to buy them something a little bigger. Perhaps all of the Little Tykes outdoor playhouses and stuff. If they really want to buy them toys, maybe they should buy them a savings bond and some little toy.
I know every kid LOVES the toys, and everyone wants to give a gift that the kids would love, but it's just not practical for everyone to be buying toys.
This is only a suggestion...it worked for us and the rest of the family got pleasure out of seeing them enjoy the swings, cars, etc.
Kathy,
When my girls were at the age where they knew what was going on, we started that tradition. We wouldn't put the tree up until they went to bed and were sound asleep. Then, as they got older, mommy and daddy bought the tree and set it up but Santa decorated it. Then, finally, once they knew, we set it up and decorated it. Ah, those years of going to bed at 3 a.m. only to be up at 6 a.m. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 397
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 10:06 am: | |
CFA,
As ususal ; ) good advice. I have made that savings bond suggestion. Some listen, some don't! Both sets of grandparents chipped in for the swing set 4 1/2 years ago.
One great thing my parents are doing is taking the older girls to see plays throughout the year at the Papermill and NJ State theater.
Unfortunately, not everyone is as practical as we are! Last year I made a threat about more Barbies, this year I will have to say the same about dress-up shoes.
Thus far I've gotten them personalized tote bags which I will put under the tree as if Santa supplied them, stuffed with a few craft kit things, and some bath stuff.
Books, jewelry boxes a good set of markers, journals and Wonka Bars are also on my list.
From relatives so far: sleeping bags, satin pjs, silver necklaces, gold earrings, tix to Radio City (maybe). My biggest obstacle is everyone (in the family) taking my ideas!
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bookgal
Citizen
Username: Bookgal
Post Number: 216
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 10:24 am: | |
We do Christmas and Hannukah and it does get to be overwhelming. Our daughter is 6 and this year we asked her to designate one of her presents as a charitable donation. We selected the Heifer organization (which gives livestock, bees, and trees ) primarily to families and or villages in economically depressed countries. She looked at the catalog and chose to donate a beehive, bees and instruction in beekeeping. Cost about $25-30.
We explained that one night she won't receive a gift but that she will be giving the biggest gift of all. It seemed like a nice kid way to introduce giving.
Other than that, for Hannukah we usually do a big gift the first night (usually something useful like new "big girl" bedding or new outfit), then alternate with books, art supplies, glitter gel etc.
Christmas, I'm afraid is just a toy extravaganza (from us and Santa). My parents sensibly give her clothes. |
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