Failproof gift ideas...HELP

[she_is_my_addiction]

Okay somebody help me. I haven't seen my sister and her family in two years.

I need suitable presents for an almost five year old, almost three year old, and an almost two year old.

I'm trying to stay away from clothes and books.

Anyone have other failproof ideas?

 

[minsue]

Sit 'n Spin - the most popular gift I've ever given.

Play-dough, stuffed animals, those big lego-type blocks. I know you're trying to stay away from them, but there are some wonderful books out there. (I can't help it. Kids need books, dammit! )

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

Sit 'n Spin - the most popular gift I've ever given.

Play-dough, stuffed animals, those big lego-type blocks. I know you're trying to stay away from them, but there are some wonderful books out there. (I can't help it. Kids need books, dammit! )

I know but they have millions of books and www.bruce. is sending me a huge box full of kids books. I don't need to spend money on books.

 

[Raine D8]

Barbie's, barbie's and more barbie's - obviously.

 

[logophile]

Sima,

I don't know where you live, but is there an IKEA near by? You could be in and out of there (oh, I said "in and out" and now I'm wet again) with great gifts for everyone very cheap. The toys and stuff are really good because they encourage creative play. And you could pick up a fabulous cheese grater for your sister for 2 or 3 dollars. I'm going tomorrow to get one for each of my sisters. They both love mine so so so much that I hardly ever have it here.

 

[cheerful_deviant]

Ok, if the boy is five, I'd have to say legos and anything to do with trucks.

For the older girl, you generally cant go wrong with stuffed animals. My 2 year old girl, (almost 3) loves them. She has about a thousand I think. She has lately been getting into musical instruments too. She has a set of maracas, tamborine, horn, and drum that drive me nuts but she loves them.

For the little girl, maybe Little People? There little fisher price figures with houses, farms, and so on. My daughter loved them.

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

Sima,

I don't know where you live, but is there an IKEA near by? You could be in and out of there (oh, I said "in and out" and now I'm wet again) with great gifts for everyone very cheap. The toys and stuff are really good because they encourage creative play. And you could pick up a fabulous cheese grater for your sister for 2 or 3 dollars. I'm going tomorrow to get one for each of my sisters. They both love mine so so so much that I hardly ever have it here.

No i wish there was an IKEA. I have to stick to amazon.com because a friend of mine is sharing half her gift certificate with me which to me is God given since I'm literally broke. She's an angel.

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

Ok, if the boy is five, I'd have to say legos and anything to do with trucks.

For the older girl, you generally cant go wrong with stuffed animals. My 2 year old girl, (almost 3) loves them. She has about a thousand I think. She has lately been getting into musical instruments too. She has a set of maracas, tamborine, horn, and drum that drive me nuts but she loves them.

For the little girl, maybe Little People? There little fisher price figures with houses, farms, and so on. My daughter loved them.

love it.

 

[cloudy]

Boys or girls?

Boys -

*anything matchbox or hotwheels is always a hit, and they've come out with those hummer things that open up with the track inside, not expensive either.

*those big duplex blocks are good, not expensive at all, and little hands don't have problems with them, plus they usually come with a big bonus dumptruck or something along those lines - plastic and lightweight.

*there's some transformer-type toys made for preschoolers, they're called "Go-bots" - very inexpensive, and the little spiderman still plays with those he got last christmas

*for older kids, imaginext makes some really cool building sets - they come with directions for one way to put them together, but there are endless ways to arrange them

*I gotta agree with the books, can't ever have too many of those

*videos are good; any of the nicklelodean shows are usually good. The big ones right now are Spongebob (of course), Dora the Explorer, Lazy Town, and the Backyardigans - not to expensive, either

 

[Belegon]

The Disney "First Princess" stuff has been a big hit with my lil girl. I have seen some "Dress Up Chests" out there that come with a variety of costumes and accessoreys to mix and match that seem to be well like by lots of girls that do not necessarily agree on other things.

I agree that anything trucks is good for boys. You can still get a Tonka Dump truck pretty inexpensive and since they are metal they don't break easily and last for years. Hot Wheels/Matchbox was a good idea too. Also there are plenty of "jr." sports sets that can be had for 15-20 dollars if you want to give something active.

 

[cheerful_deviant]

Adding to Bel's post on the dress up clothes. My daughter got a set of Disney Princess Shoes last year for christmas. 3 pairs of little dress shoes. Cindarella's glass slippers, and a pair for snow white, and a pair for sleeping beauty. She loves them, she's actually wearing Snow White's shoes right now.

Remember dressing up as a kid? Wasn't putting on different shoes most of the fun?

 

[Guest]

5-year-old: Legos or K-Nex, we also love the imaginext series (we're into dragons and pirates right now)

The Rescue Heroes group is still good - most of the action figures come with Videos (and they're under $10). They have people and vehicles and animals, all in that big chunky style for little hands.

And they're making Spiderman and other superheroes in that big style now.

Board games? Hungry Hungry Hippos, Candyland, Twister

For 2 or 3 year olds: Doll babies you can feed with a bottle are always good, especially if you can get a bottle with sound effects like the baby drinking - and it's inexpensive.

We also love the Little People, and I just saw in the store today that Weebles are back. They make great Little Farm houses and Roller Coasters and such - lots of fun.

Dora the Explorer is big with the youngest set and Blue's Clues is still around. The Wiggles (um - interesting show) has a huge following but I can't help but be grateful my kids are older and have missed the craze.

Puzzles are good, Paint with water books, Sticker books -

Oh - they still make Clingform books where kids can reuse the plastic figures over and over again.

Tub toys work for the youngest, and little toys that make all kinds of noise when you bite or squeeze or throw 'em.

You are a wonderful aunt - best wishes finding presents!

 

[minsue]

The Disney "First Princess" stuff has been a big hit with my lil girl. I have seen some "Dress Up Chests" out there that come with a variety of costumes and accessoreys to mix and match that seem to be well like by lots of girls that do not necessarily agree on other things.

I agree that anything trucks is good for boys. You can still get a Tonka Dump truck pretty inexpensive and since they are metal they don't break easily and last for years. Hot Wheels/Matchbox was a good idea too. Also there are plenty of "jr." sports sets that can be had for 15-20 dollars if you want to give something active.

Word of warning - metal trucks make for good bludgeons.

 

[minsue]

Remember dressing up as a kid? Wasn't putting on different shoes most of the fun?

CD, I love ya to death, but it's statements like that which make it so easy to dub you an honorary lesbian.

(dammit, I can't stop giggling!!!!)

 

[cheerful_deviant]

CD, I love ya to death, but it's statements like that which make it so easy to dub you an honorary lesbian.

(dammit, I can't stop giggling!!!!)

Alright, that's enough outta you Goose.

(Hey, my best friend growing up was a girl, what do you expect.)

 

[minsue]

Alright, that's enough outta you Goose.

(Hey, my best friend growing up was a girl, what do you expect.)

Okay, I'll behave. For now.

 

[Guest]

Give them underwear. Every kid needs an aunt who gives underwear. Cheap, easy. The parents will appreciate it. And you won't have to talk to the kids, they'll avoid you.

Perdita (Auntie Scrooge)

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

Give them underwear. Every kid needs an aunt who gives underwear. Cheap, easy. The parents will appreciate it. And you won't have to talk to the kids, they'll avoid you.

Perdita (Auntie Scrooge)

I don't want them to avoid me!

 

[Belegon]

oh god, if that ain't part of what's so funny from my side about it ever since Vella dropped it on me. I have (not kidding) five year old shoes that I have only worn twice. Closet floor is covered 3 pair deep all the way across...and that is as an adult! and Vella didn't know it either...

(talking about shoes not underwear...)

 

[cloudy]

we also love the imaginext series (we're into dragons and pirates right now)

omigawd, yes....pirates and dragons, oh my!

 

[minsue]

oh god, if that ain't part of what's so funny from my side about it ever since Vella dropped it on me. I have (not kidding) five year old shoes that I have only worn twice. Closet floor is covered 3 pair deep all the way across...and that is as an adult! and Vella didn't know it either...

(talking about shoes not underwear...)

Good lord! I own more shoes right now than I have in years - 5 pair, two pair of which are dress shoes purchased for specific occasions and have never been worn since.

 

[cheerful_deviant]

Good lord! I own more shoes right now than I have in years - 5 pair, two pair of which are dress shoes purchased for specific occasions and have never been worn since.

Including all my boots, dress shoes and everything, I probablly have about 15 or 20 pairs of shoes.

Maybe I am a lesbian, but maybe you're a middle aged guy?

 

[Belegon]

Including all my boots, dress shoes and everything, I probablly have about 15 or 20 pairs of shoes.

Maybe I am a lesbian, but maybe you're a middle aged guy?

Umm, CD....I have about 15-20 pairs of running shoes...and the same of BB shoes, then add in boots, and dress shoes and Vans/Airwalks....I easily have 60 pair or more...if you only have 20 pair then take my advice...STOP NOW! It is an addiction! and here I thought my tag was only about the oral thing..sigh!

 

[RebeccaLeah]

Including all my boots, dress shoes and everything, I probablly have about 15 or 20 pairs of shoes.

Maybe I am a lesbian, but maybe you're a middle aged guy?

Don't freakin' scare me like that. Pity on my brain please, it can't handle those statements at this time.

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

Umm, CD....I have about 15-20 pairs of running shoes...and the same of BB shoes, then add in boots, and dress shoes and Vans/Airwalks....I easily have 60 pair or more...if you only have 20 pair then take my advice...STOP NOW! It is an addiction! and here I thought my tag was only about the oral thing..sigh!

*blink*