Christmas gifts for an 8 year old and 3 year old.

[geenamercile]

My girls are not being helpful this year with things they want for Christmas.  The 8 year has 1 thing on her list, one.  Her reasoning she doesn't want to be greedy with Santa clause.  The 3 year old just wants what ever Nanee (her sister) has.  This is not helpful when my aunt, MIL, SIL, and other extended family are asking what to get them.  


I am seriously trying to convince the husband into getting them a kitten for Christmas from us, but if that fails I'm not sure what we are getting them.  

Just looking for ideas.  

[thyme4change]

I hate years like that.  Where are those greedy, spoiled American children I was promised.

I remember when my kids were somewhere in that age range, I saw CD players on the clearance rack at Target, and since they were so cheap I picked them up and asked my sisters to buy CDs for my kids.  They were like boom boxes - so they could take them outside or around the house.  They loved, loved, loved those things.  Maybe you could find little MP3 players and a speaker they could plug into, and you could get Kidz Bop or other appropriate music downloaded.  (Maybe an Amazon download credit with a few suggestions?)  

Do they like crafts?  I used to do those latch-hook rug thingys.  I loved doing them.  I was probably between 8 and 12 - it might be tough for the 3 year old, but they are not expensive, so if it is a failure, not a big loss.  My daughter is learning how to crochet.  I don't know if that is just a thing in her circle, or if it is going around.  The most expensive part of crochet is buying the yarn.  She just gets videos on YouTube to learn the technique.  The hook is just a few bucks.  

I'm not too much help, because my daughter asked for an iTunes card, and nothing else this year.  My son asked for a bike and 2 soccer jerseys.  So...do I get my daughter $400 of iTunes credit?  I think not!  

[cronewitch]

Crafting supplies if they are crafty. A trend gift like ski lessons with associated coats, gloves, scarf. Not really ski gift but a trend like doll house, dolls, doll clothing, doll bed. A kitten might not enjoy being a Christmas gift if you have too many people and noise it would be scary. You could get them a cat tree, cat bed, litter box, cat food, cat litter, cat collar, no cat so you had lots of packages but no animals stressed over holidays.

[Apple]

Wow!  Three and eight years already!?

Since they don't seem to want a lot, and don't want to feel greedy, I'd go with a few, simple gifts.

Books, or a kid's magazine subscription (we always liked getting something in the mail, just for us, and I think it could still hold true)

Do they like to dress up?  Do they have their own "style"?  If so, a cute top, shoes, a little necklace.

Do they like to do crafts?  Things to paint, or a birdhouse set with a small hammer (I figure, the sooner they get comfortable with tools, the better!)  Foam paper for making magnets, beads, googly eyes, etc can be fun for the three-year-old.

A recipe book with the "fun" ingredients (like chocolate chips and sprinkles), that way they can make some of the things right away and you don't have to do a store run.

A "child proof" camera.  Now that things are digital, it's much less expensive!  And you never know what you'll find when you go through the photos taken by a child's point of view.

[geenamercile]

Yea I think part of the issue is I don't like to just buy something for the sake of buying something, or things just to wrap.  

If I can talk DH into the cat, we will most will wrap a stuffed cat with a note that we will be picking one out at the shelter.  I would want them to be part of the whole picking which one, getting the stuff, ect....  

[Deleted]

Mine are 12 and 4, but boys.  I don't know what to get girls that are girly girls either (not saying yours are).  My nieces are, and they're tough. But, they do like art supplies,  I once packaged up Redbox gift cards with microwave popcorn, and candy like Mike and Ikes and that was a hit.  Do they like to read?  My kids always get some books. 

My boys like anything you can build.  Legos, Knex, etc.  Science kits, and electronics of any kind.  Older son got an ipod a few years ago and this year is getting an older iphone.  Younger son got a Leap Pad last year, so I'll probably get him some new software for it.  They also love the How to Train your Dragon movies, so I'm going to get both of them.  Books.  Older son is into Sci-Fi/Fantasy, younger likes Fly Guy. 

[tcu2003]

What about Magnatiles? My 2-year old runs straight for those every morning at daycare drop off, and he joins several 2-5 year olds already playing with them. They're a bit pricy, but reviews I've read and from talking to people with them indicate they're worth every peony and even older kids love them. That's what we plan to get DS this year.

I also echo the craft ideas, especially for the 8-year old. Rainbow loom bracelet kit and the "weaving" loom kit with loops to make potholders are both huge hits with my 7-9 year old nieces.

[Deleted]

Kinetic sand is still something my 4 year old loves to play with and he got it for a gift two years ago.  It's really fun.

[Tiny]

Nov 23, 2014 17:31:06 GMT -5 geenamercile said:

Yea I think part of the issue is I don't like to just buy something for the sake of buying something, or things just to wrap.  

I get this.   But, what about one gift that was something 'outside' their comfort zone - or maybe the "I just assume you'll love this because it's just like all the other stuff you love" kinda thing. Or maybe something they've never tried/done before?   

I know that's not very helpful -- especially if each and every Christmas must be the best thing ever! Since you would be taking a chance on gifting them a "flop".     

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Board games, like CandyLand, etc, crafting supplies, coloring books & crayons, or more useful things, like cute clothes/tops, hair accessories (for girls), etc etc

I think they're too young for latch-hook rug kits, but kids are also now into those braided friendship bracelets - the toy manufacturers make kits that come with the threads (embroidery floss) and the tool/wheel to weave/braid the bracelets. And you can buy spare floss at any craft store to re-stock supplies.

[Deleted]

American Girl doll for the 8 year old.

[Apple]

Last year I had a similar issue, and it was Christmas Eve, and I still didn't feel like I got my son something he would really want (I only bought a few gifts, and a gift card).  Then, I got an idea, wrote out a card, and told him I'd take him to a theater production of his choice, complete with dinner and he could bring a friend if he wanted.  I wrote down websites of the different theaters in Portland and Seattle, so he could look around for himself (he had just gotten into theater, so I figured it would be a hit).

We finally did the chosen show at the end of the summer, and it is something he still talks about (of course, with other people, not so much me).  I've been told he "lights up" when he talks about it.  He bought the sound track a few weeks ago.

If your girls can understand "this is your gift, you have to redeem it later", activities and "events" can be a great gift.

[Deleted]

Nov 23, 2014 18:19:33 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

American Girl doll for the 8 year old.

My daughter refused to let us start the American Girl thing (she has three girls, and she saw it as a money pit), but Target sells a nice knock-off.  The clothes are interchangeable.

[Deleted]

Nov 23, 2014 18:24:46 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

Nov 23, 2014 18:19:33 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

American Girl doll for the 8 year old.

My daughter refused to let us start the American Girl thing (she has three girls, and she saw it as a money pit), but Target sells a nice knock-off.  The clothes are interchangeable.

that's nice for you....I preferred the real American Girl doll so it was special - and that was what my mother sent me the money to get, I don't think she would have been happy if I had spent it on a Target knock off.

[Deleted]

Lego sets are go-to gift for my family now.  Is 8 year old big reader? Dork Diaries or Diary of Wimpy kid are good. I like Melissa and Doug for younger kids.

[Deleted]

Nov 23, 2014 18:36:27 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

Nov 23, 2014 18:24:46 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

My daughter refused to let us start the American Girl thing (she has three girls, and she saw it as a money pit), but Target sells a nice knock-off.  The clothes are interchangeable.

that's nice for you....I preferred the real American Girl doll so it was special - and that was what my mother sent me the money to get, I don't think she would have been happy if I had spent it on a Target knock off.

I would have happily paid it, but my daughter's values said $500 worth of dolls (three daughters, remember) was not where she wanted to go. 

They are her children, and she is raising them not to be into name-brands.  That is her choice, and I respect it. 

[Deleted]

Nov 23, 2014 18:41:36 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

Nov 23, 2014 18:36:27 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

that's nice for you....I preferred the real American Girl doll so it was special - and that was what my mother sent me the money to get, I don't think she would have been happy if I had spent it on a Target knock off.

I would have happily paid it, but my daughter's values said $500 worth of dolls (three daughters, remember) was not where she wanted to go. 

They are her children, and she is raising them not to be into name-brands.  That is her choice, and I respect it. 

so someone who wants/receives an authentic American Girl doll will be into name brands? 

is it ever ok for someone to spend money on something that isn't 90% off or have a coupon or a groupon who didn't research it for 2 years to make sure they're getting the rock bottom price?  honestly, the attitudes on this board lately seem to be that anyone who doesn't make sure they get the lowest price in the universe is an idiot. not to mention the whole implied lack of values with paying full price or buying name brand.

[Deleted]

I have tons of grandchildren so here is a shopping list for everyone:

11-year-old: Latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book and $100 towards his trip to Washington.

9-year-old: Some comic thing where he draws it, and the company prints it. His mom picked it.

9-year-old: Lego 3-in-1 kit that centers on planes plus a Planes 100-piece puzzle.  DH builds model airplanes, which fascinate this particular grandchild.  He loves to help Dh build them so that's the plane focus.  He also gets a monthly aviation magazine.

7-year-old: Lego pet shop plus a set of clothes for her Our Generation doll.

4-year-old: Duplo cupcake and ice cream sets.

2-year-old: Wooden trains and more trains.

1-year-old: There are two of them. Baby girl is getting a P&P boardbook and a giftcard for her mother to spend. Baby boy is getting some sort of nightlight his mother wants . . . if she ever remembers to tell me what it is. Otherwise, I'm thinking a Frankenstein boardbook for him and a giftcard for his mother, too.

[Deleted]

Nov 23, 2014 18:47:03 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

Nov 23, 2014 18:41:36 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

I would have happily paid it, but my daughter's values said $500 worth of dolls (three daughters, remember) was not where she wanted to go. 

They are her children, and she is raising them not to be into name-brands.  That is her choice, and I respect it. 

so someone who wants/receives an authentic American Girl doll will be into name brands? 

is it ever ok for someone to spend money on something that isn't 90% off or have a coupon or a groupon who didn't research it for 2 years to make sure they're getting the rock bottom price?  honestly, the attitudes on this board lately seem to be that anyone who doesn't make sure they get the lowest price in the universe is an idiot. not to mention the whole implied lack of values with paying full price or buying name brand.

I already said that I would have happily paid it.  It was her values that said no. 

It would be very wrong for a grandparent to buy something that the parent said no to.

She isn't a member of this message board.

[Deleted]

for the 3 year old what about a play kitchen?  books, arts and crafts.

[Deleted]

See, this is why I could never shop for a girl.  If I would have got a doll or a kitchen as a gift when I was a kid I would have been bummed. 

I swear I'm a guy.  But I like men.  Maybe I'm a gay guy. 

[Deleted]

Nov 23, 2014 18:59:49 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

See, this is why I could never shop for a girl.  If I would have got a doll or a kitchen as a gift when I was a kid I would have been bummed. 

I swear I'm a guy.  But I like men.  Maybe I'm a gay guy. 

My daughter's son (oldest of those four) LOVES his three sisters' presents. When there is a kitchen or a doll, he gets to be "daddy" in the kitchen.

Who cares

[Sharon]

When my DD was about 8 she also had an "I don't want to be greedy" for Christmas year.  On her list was a ream of paper for drawing.  I got her a couple of reams of paper in different sizes and markers and colored pencils etc.

[Apple]

Nov 23, 2014 18:59:49 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

See, this is why I could never shop for a girl.  If I would have got a doll or a kitchen as a gift when I was a kid I would have been bummed. 

I swear I'm a guy.  But I like men.  Maybe I'm a gay guy. 

I've been told I'd make someone a good husband some day.

I'm glad my parents didn't follow the "girls don't play with tools" crowd.  One of my favorite toys when I was little was this ratcheting screwdriver my dad had.  Sometimes he would get mad when I would play with it, afraid I'd wear it out/lose it, but he got over it quickly when I always knew right where it was (my dad was not handy at all, but he had a few tools).

Part of the reason I mentioned a birdhouse with a hammer.  If they're interested when they're little, I figure it gives them time to decide they might like it before someone tells them "girls don't play with x".  I've heard a lot of women tell their daughters that in the toy aisle when little girls have wanted a toy drill, hammer, tool set, etc.

[Deleted]

Nov 23, 2014 19:06:59 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

Nov 23, 2014 18:59:49 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

See, this is why I could never shop for a girl.  If I would have got a doll or a kitchen as a gift when I was a kid I would have been bummed. 

I swear I'm a guy.  But I like men.  Maybe I'm a gay guy. 

My daughter's son (oldest of those four) LOVES his three sisters' presents. When there is a kitchen or a doll, he gets to be "daddy" in the kitchen.

Who cares

Oh, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with traditional "girl" toys, or boys playing with them.  It's just that I can't relate at all to see the appeal.  I'm honestly perplexed walking down the nauseating pink aisles in the toy store.  RC cars, Lego sets, Transformers...those things are cool.  I like buying them.

My 4 year old went through a period when he wanted a doll and his Dad would have nothing of it, but I think I'm going to get him one this year for Christmas now that he has no say.  I asked him again and he said he wanted one.  I get to venture into the pink aisle..

[Tennesseer]

Personal opinion, but I am not a fan of getting kittens, puppies, birds, and other young animals during the holidays.  Too much activity going on inside the home.  Wait until the holidays are over before buying a pet.  You will probably find a number of puppies and kittens at your local shelter which were Christmas presents this year.

ETA: I just read reply #4. It sounds like the new pet will not be selected and brought home until after the holidays.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Also be careful bringing a pet in with young kids. They may want a puppy or kitten, but are they old enough to start helping take care of it and learn the responsibility of having a furry friend, or will the pet become another "child" for the parents to deal with?

It might be a better idea to wait til after the holidays, and then take in a foster animal for a few weeks - if turns out the pet is a perfect match for your kid(s), then you can choose to adopt the critter into your family.

It's also a chance to see how responsible your child will be in caring for it.

[MarleyKeezy78]

DS (5) only wanted a couple things from Santa as well, a lightsaber, crayons and a transformer. DH has a really soft heart and went out yesterday and bought him a new tv for his room and a device called rainbow in my room since DS loves everything rainbow! We always seem to go all out for DS for Christmas and Easter for some reason but DS is so apreciative of gifts and never really wants too much so it makes it more fun   I don't feel bad if it's a bit spendy, we only do that twice a year.

[geenamercile]

Nov 23, 2014 17:53:44 GMT -5 Tiny said:

Nov 23, 2014 17:31:06 GMT -5 geenamercile said:

Yea I think part of the issue is I don't like to just buy something for the sake of buying something, or things just to wrap.  

I get this.   But, what about one gift that was something 'outside' their comfort zone - or maybe the "I just assume you'll love this because it's just like all the other stuff you love" kinda thing. Or maybe something they've never tried/done before?   

I know that's not very helpful -- especially if each and every Christmas must be the best thing ever! Since you would be taking a chance on gifting them a "flop".     

It isn't that each Christmas must be the best thing ever, but more I don't want us or anyone to get something that is just going to be meh, and collect dust either.  

I'm good with outside of their comfort zone ideas, or things they haven't tried before.  But that means most likely it has to be something I haven't thought of before too, since I do have the bad habit of when I see something new that tends to be the weekend thing to do.  I was looking at some differnt since kits and there was a crystal growing ones that might be cool.  

The oldest switches between girly girl with clothes and dolls, to playing with cardboard swords and shields.  She enjoys mine craft and animal crossing.  Just got a bike for her birthday in September.  They have art supplies, she does will with the iron bead things, is learning to sew from my aunt and tried crocheting but didn't like it much.  We do science projects at home a lot, and I have digital microscope we use at times too.  They have a bunch of barbies, a house and stuff for them already from years passed.  

We do go to the Lowes build and grow workshops, she enjoys those.  So some kits could be a fun idea.  

Haven't gotten into American girl dolls.  We really are just moving out of My Little Ponies and haven't really found the next great thing.    We do let her order books every month through scholastic with school and she is more into the Ever After High books, Animal based books, and fantasy books.  But the dolls at least for Ever After High, she is kind like... meh, okay.

Younger one, is seriously at the I just want to be like my big sister.  The other issue is that ODD actually took good care of her stuff and has passed it down to YDD.  So play kitchens, leapfrog tag books, ect... that she had gotten now as gifts before, YDD already has.    
 
As for the cat, we have a dog now and had a cat before.  He escaped out of the house soon after we moved here and didn't turn up.      I grew up with multiple animals in the house so knows what it means.  And with us traveling for the holidays we wouldn't actually bring the kitten home until after things settled down.  We know that most of the care would fall on us, seriously feeding, box changing ect we would plan on doing anyways.    


 

[geenamercile]

Nov 23, 2014 21:15:44 GMT -5 MarleyKeezy78 said:

DS (5) only wanted a couple things from Santa as well, a lightsaber, crayons and a transformer. DH has a really soft heart and went out yesterday and bought him a new tv for his room and a device called rainbow in my room since DS loves everything rainbow! We always seem to go all out for DS for Christmas and Easter for some reason but DS is so apreciative of gifts and never really wants too much so it makes it more fun   I don't feel bad if it's a bit spendy, we only do that twice a year.

Is the rainbow in my room thing this white arch with a mirror on it that reflects the rainbow?  We used one of those as a night light for the longest time it worked great.