Ideas please on useful Christmas gifts for my kids

[shortstack]

I would love it if some of you smart guys and gals would give me ideas for useful Christmas presents to ask Santa for that are fun but still serve a purpose for my 2 year old boy and 7 year old girl. For instance they each got new bedding last Christmas (hers had cats on it and his had cars) and each Easter the bunny brings a new bathing suit for that coming summer.

Anybody have any great ideas?
Thanks in advance
Andrea

[MarianneR]

Hi, singersullivan!

Just brainstorming here: fun flannel pjs and fuzzy slippers; a warm, fuzzy bathrobe, colorful hats and mittens; snowpants or other snow gear; a sled; books; educational toys and DVDs. For stocking stuffers: bubble bath, toothbrushes (kids especially love the battery operated ones); kid-flavored toothpaste and mouthwash; kiddie shampoo.

Hope this helps!

[nvmommyx6]

we have 6 kids and are frugal as heck!! I am the thrift store and yard sale queen round these parts and I find them tons of stuff, they end up with enough presents you'd think we were rich lol
I love the dollar store for lil baskets for the girls with hair accesories and bath stuff and lotions!! And for the boys I do the same only manly stuff!! They have great things for stocking stuffers too like the toothpastes and tooth brushes as already mentioned!!

[kmsinsa]

Last year one of the things I did for my 5 year old daughter was a new backpack and put panties, socks, barrets and other stuff for her hair, coloring books, crayons, chapstick, and a few other small little things like that. She had been asking for a pink backpack, so she was happy to get that but then opened i up and found more stuff inside.

[MomToTwoBoys]

Hey there!

I usually ask my kids what they want for Christmas and then work around that. I also look at what they're into at the time and think of pretty reasonable items that include those things. For example, my 10 year old loves to dance so I'm planning on getting him stuff that'll let him dance. My 5 year old likes dancing too and he's really into Wonderpets, so I might get one Wonderpets stuffed animal for him and some DVDs to dance to.

I'd just look at what they're interested in and see if it also coincides with what they need.

[TheRootedNomad]

Along with some of the other things mentioned (bedding and PJs have ALWAYS been 2 of my boys favorites) at their age fun undies (with charecters or in colors) are a cool gift. My kids also frequently get a personal towel. You might still be able to find some clearenced fun beach towels. (I have one that loves dolphins/fish and the other is a frog nut but we've done the cartoon charecter route too when Target marks 'em down)

I generally get them a box of the snack food they always ask for in the grocery but I won't ever buy (like cereal bars) and then they get to take them in their lunch. (might work well for the 7 year old)

Charecter backpacks (and these should be marked down right now) are another cool gift, even for the 2 year old. He can pack his stuff, in his backpack, when you go to the store or visiting grandma. (and let me tell you I switched form the diaper bag to backpack thing on my secong kid and wished I'd though of it sooner)

Personal mugs, cups, dishes.

T-shirts with their name on them.

a movie bucket (DVD, snacks, drinks) This might be especially useful for the toddler if he's still eating some specific foods.

Happy Hunting!!!

[Maine Girl]

What about buying wooden blocks that they could share. Books or a craft box filled with age appropriate stuff. a kids set of plate cup and bowl. a fleece throw. Their own flashlight. Decorations for their room.

[McD]

Wesley gets a new toothbrush in his stocking, along with his favorite type of toothpaste (i.e. character toothpaste). He also gets his bubble bath. I found two things of Diego bubble bath marked down to a quarter, so he'll get one for Christmas and one in his Easter basket. He always gets new pajamas on Christmas Eve that he wears to bed that night. I try to give him a couple of shirts/pants with his favorite character on them.

[perSue]

books!
picture books for the 2yo & readers for the 7yo.

clothing is always an "ok" gift, but usually not super well received (unless specialty clothing (robe, slippers) or it has a cool character on it).

what about some learning toys?
I dont know your budget, but think along the lines of LeapFrog and that sorta thing. fun, colourful toys, that kids can't help but learn something from!

we always did the "mom & dad give "boring" gifts (clothing, etc)"... it was Santa who brought the cool toys & such!

but it all depends on your budget too.
If all else fails, make a homemade craft set of glue, crayons, coloring books, cheerios, pipe cleaners and have a all day craft day set aside.

kids will remember an experience more than a specific gift anyway (especially at both of their ages!)... so what about a gift of "doing something"?
(hence the craft set.)

i'd stick with simper things for the 2yo... they may not remember much for a few more years... but this just builds on making experiences.
The 7yo will remember this year and stuff... so enlist her to give gifts to the 2yo "baby bro"... either together or a couple things of her own. (this gives her a more "grown up" feeling too! another gift ya can't buy! )

good luck & think simple.

[Moor]

One year, I did a craft basket.
All year, I went to the dollar store and bought crayons, paint, construction paper, scissors, rulers, stencils, coloring books, plain white paper, glue sticks, chalk, a memo board, a chalk board, play dough, clay, some do it yourself craft kits, felt posters and activity books.
I then went to the craft store (with coupons) and walmart and got those little pom poms, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, bells, foam shapes, foam sheets, feathers, and such.
I then got one of those under the bed storage tubs and put everything in it. They now tell me when they need something.
It helps to have this during the winter, when they can't go out and play. It's great on rainy days. And lots of times, I will sit with them and we make things, that they end up giving as gifts to family.

[justatxmom]

I just briefly scanned the responses so if I'm repeating, my apologies.

Stocking stuffers always include socks, skivies, toothbrush, shower gel and usually a special candy because they have food allergies.

As far as gifts, I always make them a pair of jammies. This year each of the boys are getting a corkboard... I'll paint them according to their interests (sports, trucks, etc.) and with their name on them. I'll also attach a top shelf to it for their special knick-knacks and trophies.

Other ideas...
shoes or boots
rubber boots
umbrella and/or slicker
clothes
scarf, hat, mittens
back packs
sleeping bags
purse for dd
flashlights
slippers
robe
book light
alarm clock
place mat, plate and utensils
towel and washcloth or scrubby

[Teresa T]

Can your daughter knit or crochet yet? She is not too young to learn. Books on knit and crochet aimed at young beginners or a simple "learn to" kit. Needle arts can bring a life time of enjoyment and relaxation. For boys too when old enough.

[shortstack]

Thank you so very much for all of the great ideas! I had actually forgotten that my dd had asked for a new backpack. Anybody know where I can get a good deal on a rolling backpack that can be embroidered (2 boys in her class have these and she has been eyeballing them)?
All of the gifts the kids will be getting will be coming from Santa because we have all decided to go with my mom and dad and rent a cabin in the Smoky Mountains the week of Christmas rather then exchange gifts with everyone. When we sat down and looked at the numbers we would actually be saving money by doing this. Plus we will get to spend the week together which to me is more important then gifts.


Andrea

[geckoace]

about the backpack try lillian vernon.com

[mom2bobsarah]

about the backpack try lillian vernon.com

Just be sure they are allowed to have a rolling backpack at school. I know my they are not allowed at my kids school.