Cheap plastic junk

Nishu · 10-12-2008, 10:37 AM

I'm pretty much banning it for Christmas this year. The fact that I've basically banned the television as well will hopefully help with the gimmes this year as well, because most of their ideas for presents come off the tube. Every year, I pretty much spend a ton on toys that I think they'll love, only to find them bored with them or broken or lost by the next week.

What I want are just a few toys that last, things that when they grow up, they'll remember the hours and hours of fun they had with it. For me, it was our farm toys. I want something that doesn't do the playing for them, something that requires imagination the way our tinker toys and Lincoln logs did.

Great idea, right?

Except for the fact that getting them anything other than cheap plastic crap is pretty expensive, and the selections isn't that great.

So what kind of ideas do you guys have, aside from the obvious I've already stated. Any tips on finding them at a good price?

rainbowgc · 10-12-2008, 01:07 PM

Maybe you could think of some family present. Either games that the whole family can play and bond with, building good family memories; or if you can afford it and electronic gaming system that you play as a family.

shortstack · 10-12-2008, 03:59 PM

I have also been banning tv stations that have commercials. We pretty much watch PBS, Noggin and HBO Movies on Demand here and then when the kids go to bed I watch Fox News. I asked my duaghter last month what she was asking Santa for and all she could think of was Doll Clothes! I think the fact that we don't see commercials makes a huge difference in the give me give mes.

My suggestion for well made toys that you use imagination is this from Melissa and Doug:
http://www.melissaanddoug.com/shop.phtml

Andrea

Maine Girl · 10-12-2008, 05:04 PM

Arts N Crafts supplies, baking sets, books, movies and "coupons" for favorite activities or food. Towels in there favorite colors or beach towels, sheet sets. kids soaps and tooth brushes. Kids Magazines I am sure there are more but that is all i can think of right know.

RaineyDaye · 10-12-2008, 05:18 PM

I agree about the plastic junky toys - they have turned out to be a waste of money. I would rather buy one really nice toy for each of my grandkids rather than several junky ones, even though they are still at the age where quantity of presents seems to matter more than quality. I want to get my granddaughters American Girl dolls, but they cost so much. The oldest one has one already, so I bought a pattern for doll clothes and plan to make some doll clothes. I have so much material that I doubt I will need to buy any more fabric. For the younger two, I'm not sure what I am going to do. I found some really nice dolls that are similar to AG dolls at the thrift. So I might make clothes for those dolls as well and give the dolls to the younger girls.
I don't know what I am going to give my grandsons. I am eager to get some ideas here.

Nishu · 10-12-2008, 10:11 PM

I noticed that toysrus has a train table for 79 and a free train set that comes along with it... I'm considering getting it for my 4 year old because she loves the train tables at B&N and the edu supply store.

Thanks for the tips, folks. I think I'm going to save those 50% coupons for the the craft stores and have a looksee.

claimsgirl66 · 10-13-2008, 12:16 AM

Good ideas! I am getting snacks and food gift baskets for my sister and her family ( they have 2 small kids). It will be one family gift for them all and I figure food will be practical and the kids will love tons o'snacks!

I got my grandson some "I Spy" books, Lincoln Logs and some markers. I will get some gift cards to McD's or Dunkin Donuts as it's always a treat to go to eat. We are keeping it simple this year in our family as I too did not want to waste $$ on more plastic crap!!

shortstack · 10-13-2008, 10:39 AM

I bought this train table for my son for this year. It has the train set built into it so I don't have to worry about train tracks laying everywhere. Plus it has a cover so that you can use it like a regular table.:
http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1354

I got it off of Kmart.com and used an online code as well as got free shipping.

Andrea

Nishu · 10-13-2008, 11:10 AM

They have that trian table on sale at Fred Meyer this week for half off... I thought about picking it up but I was hoping for one that was more customizable, you know? I kind of want the kids to build it themselves.

Patty A · 10-13-2008, 12:03 PM

How about signing up for some type of music lessons. Maybe a karate class, a dance class, an art class. You could make a wooden cutout of a checker board and make all the pieces, a few paints, and let them make a checker board. Make it different by doing their favorite colors for the board and checkers.
You could also take their favorite picture and modge podge it to a board, cut it in to puzzle pieces for a new puzzle to make. How about a magazine like Zoo Books, that is a gift that keeps giving all year long. Maybe a craft kit of some kind.

shortstack · 10-13-2008, 05:01 PM

My little boy is 2 and he strings tracks all over my house. That's why I bought the one with the built in track. The plus is with the cover that makes it a regular table he can play with the tracks he already has on it.
Sure wish I had a Fred Meyer around here to get the table half off! I paid $80 for that table with free shipping and thought that was a good deal

.

Andrea