| Author |
Message |
    
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 1829
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 10:04 am: | 
|
OK - I hate asking the parents ("they don't need anything...." "whatever you get will be fine....").
They are getting to the ages when I am at a loss; the tiniest detail can render something 'uncool'. I have done gift certificates for the older girl, but, since she isn't quite old enough to go shopping with her friends or hang at the Mall, she doesn't always use them.
11y girl
7y boy
9y boy
7y girl
They are 2 separate families, so a joint gift is out.
heeeelp!!!!!
thank you very much
 |
Wendyn
Citizen
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 63
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 10:21 am: |
|
Only thing my 14 and 13 year old nephews want is money.
That being said I do like gift certificates...I either do Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble to encourage reading (although they ususally spend them on CD's which is ok too). Maybe if both kids get the certificates it will encourage their parents to take them to the bookstore. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 181
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 10:29 am: |
|
Last year we gave my 9 year old nephew magic related gifts. That age often likes, and places like Zany Brainy and TRU online (amazon) have a lot. Same on spy-themed toys.
Also popular I find are stars/astronomy-related.
My daughter is 10, and she likes the stuff from the Imaginarium in TRU. Craft kits, butterly gardens, etc. You can't go wrong in that part of TRU I find.
If you wanted to shop-shop, I'd say go to one of the toy stores in Maplewood or TRU and go for the craft/science related stuff. If online (way easy) go to the ZB or TRU site. They have these age guide things that help, too.
Oh, and sometimes the 11 year old girls like these bead kits that let you make earrings, bracelets, etc. Again, the above outlets have. |
1-2many
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 620
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 10:38 am: |
|
Klutz books, all ages. they have all the bead kits, jewelry kits, sewing kits, "cats in the cradle" kits etc., in book form with the accessories needed attached. and, they're reasonably priced at $15-ish each. buy them at the Discovery Store in SH Mall. Discovery Store also has other cool gift ideas as well.
how about giving Cadoo to each family? it's around $20 and affordable enough to be a "joint" kid gift per family. it's really fun, and got the "best toy" award last year (it's Cranium for kids 7 and up).
good luck! |
Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 851
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 10:43 am: |
|
I was about to type Cadoo as well (I just did type it in fact)..looks like theres a new version out as well. |
Lydia
Citizen
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 188
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 1:03 pm: |
|
My 9 year old and her friends (mostly girls, but some boys too) are into knitting - a gift certificate for the knitting store in MIllburn might be cool.
Art supplies are always appreciated here. I like the art store in Essex Green (Jerry's?), they have everything. You can buy a kit or make your own assortment. My kids have loved doing Sculpey clay since they were 3 and they still haven't tired of it. A bunch of rubber stamps and ink pads and neat paper is fun, the younger kids might like that.
The girls might be into American GIrl stuff too - it's a little pricey, I don't know what your budget is.
My daughter got a gift certificate for a manicure a few years ago and loved it - I think it was one of her favorite presents ever.
|
Megan
Citizen
Username: Megan
Post Number: 11
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 3:01 pm: |
|
Last year I got magazine subscriptions for my multitude of nieces and nephews. For the teenage girls, I got gift cards and let them select their own mags, but for the younger ones, I chose titles I knew they'd be interested in. I'm sure the subscriptions weren't their favorite gifts on X-mas day, but they gave them something fun to look forward to each month, and who doesn't like getting mail? (And if it's not cool, their friends will never know--or they can cancel the subscription.) |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 752
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 5:43 pm: |
|
How about movie tickets? If you're close with the family and so inclined, you could offer to take the kids to the movies, or you could give the children a couple of those passes. If I recall, you could even order them from the Entertainment book for a lot less than box office price, and who wouldn't like to go? There are also live shows, like at Papermill or the State Theater in New Brunswick you could get them tickets for. My sister is taking my kids to a show (at least this is what my 7 year old told me) again this year and they treasure every minute of it. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 1831
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 8:53 pm: |
|
Very helpful so far!
Here's a question - I thought about taking the whole bunch of them to Paintin the Plates as their present, but the youngest boy hates arts & crafts. Anyone with a child like this have any insight on whether he might get into it once there? If we do an activity, I want it to be something they all enjoy. |
sac
Citizen
Username: Sac
Post Number: 787
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 9:24 pm: |
|
Another place to take the kids, at least the girls, is Build-A-Bear (Livingston Mall). My daughters (age 8 & 12) love it. So did their female cousins (ages 8, 15 and 17 at the time) and grandmother who all went together on one joint gift card we sent last Christmas. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page