Debating inexpensive gifts LONG

[Melaine]

I have 10 nieces and nephews, from age 1-8. We will be seeing 7 for sure. I have decided to get one small gift for each person. I already took care of the adults (SS water bottles on clearance).
Now for the kids. Trying to keep it under $8 each and I'd really like it if I could get the same gift for every child. Here are my ideas, I'd appreciate the input.

Option 1: My first idea was to get Safari Ltd. Toobs for each child and be done with it (probably get a board book or something for the littlest one). My kids really like those and I think they are nice for boys and girls. Plus I could probably use coupons and save money that way.

Option 2: A set of playsilks from A Toy Garden and each child gets one. I doubt anyone in the family has heard of them, but I *think* the moms and kids would enjoy. The daddies might be a little confused (like, why is my boy getting a silk scarf for Christmas?). That would be $5 each so maybe I would combine with a few Safari animals and some small play doh cans that I already have. But is one playsilk useless? I still haven't made any or bought any yet.

Option 3: Hope that something comes up on clearance B&M in the next few weeks that I can pick up for everyone.

Option 4: Do what DH would prefer, by running out in a panic at the last minute and going over-budget on cheap junk. (Sarcastic choice).

WWYD? I'd love any other suggestions, too.

[kristac]

Check out the TRU board game deal. You could probably get a game for each of them super cheap.

eta link to deal thread: http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin...d.php?t=340667

Otherwise I like the toob idea- We love playsilks here but I do think they are best for people to buy themselves- they take alot of explaination for newbies

[hellokitty]

I was going to mention the same thing as kristac. Also, you didn't mention how old each child is. I also think that craft sets might be a nice option. If they are on sale at michael's or something or if not on sale, hopefully you can use some coupons to get some at a discount.

Lol, about option 4. If I left it to my DH, he'd do that too. Our family basically decided that we're only going to buy gifts for the kids this yr (although it sucks that my one brother doesn't have kids, so we will probably get something for he and his wife, it was his idea to just do kid presents) and we'll all pitch in for snow removal service as a big gift for my parents. It's a relief not to buy for any of my siblings or SILs, esp my SILs, since they are both really picky.

[MamaMolly]

Originally Posted by kristac

Check out the TRU board game deal. You could probably get a game for each of them super cheap.

eta link to deal thread: http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin...d.php?t=340667

I was just going to say the same thing. It is over in the Bargains thread. But from the choices you gave I'd go with the animals Toob. I did that for a 3 year old birthday and wrapped it in a cute box full of paper shreds. His mom told me he loved digging through the box to get the critters.

How crafty are you? Your playdoh comment got me thinking. What about making a big batch of homemade playdoh and giving each child some with a few cookie cutters. I've seen cutters at the $ store before.

I also made a reverseable cape for a gift. I googled 'cape tutorial' and picked one that was easily do-able given my very limited sewing skills and had a velcro closure on the neck. I think it came to about $5 and that was because I needed to buy thread.

[vonfirmath]

My MIL brought a bunch of plastic animals (similar to those tubes) for my son last Christmas (a "I'm seeing you" gift. Not his main Christmas gift) but they were probably the best thing he got the whole season! He was almost 17 months old. (he only needed two. One for each hand. But having several allowed me to switch them out)

[fivi2]

Of your options I would go with the animals Toob. I also like the board game idea.

One other thought - puzzles. Tuesday Morning usually has a good selection of puzzles for all age ranges and pretty cheap. You could do simple ones for the little kids and more complex for the older ones.

Good luck!

[Melbel]

Given the age range in your post (1 to 8), I think you would be much better off getting the same class of items for each child, but make the actual selection more age appropriate (i.e. crafts, games, DVDs etc.). Sorry, but I certainly cannot imagine an 8 year old appreciating some of the items you posted.

As mentioned upthread, there are amazing deals to be had on games at TRU. In addition, there is a great thread re. Up and Monsters BR/DVD combo packs at Target. I also just retrieved an old thread re. toy deals at amazon from last year which will hopefully be repeated this year: http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin...ghlight=amazon

[Melaine]

Thanks for all these ideas. I don't think the game idea will work. One family has four kids, one has three and I think between them they probably already have most of the games if not all of them. I know we already have about half the games. That is still such a great price on the games I may donate like someone mentioned.
DVDs aren't going to work, one of the families doesn't have a DVD player and neither watch very much TV.
I really love the idea of making play-doh and actually did think of that because we made some earlier this week. But the fact that the holiday celebration is out of town and the playdoh needs to be refrigerated (at least my recipe is) killed that idea for me. I had thought about making the I-spy bags but I would be hand sewing them and I am just not going to put in that much time without a machine.
If I had a machine, I would totally do the cape idea. I LOVE that idea and was actually looking here last night: http://www.superflykidz.com/ If I could afford it, I'd totally do that.
I may check the puzzles, that definitely seems like a good idea. If not, I guess I am back to the Toobs.
I guess I should have mentioned that these kids are homeschooled and are very open to imaginative play, which is why I was going for gifts that were more broad and could be played with along with siblings of different ages.

[egoldber]

I wouldn't do the playsilks just because I think it's better to have many than one.

I think that games are a good idea. If you go with less popular games, I think you would do OK. Like the Gamewright games (Slamwich, Chomp, RataTat Cat, etc.), Set, Quiddler, Tangrams, etc.

If you hunt around you can find them all for less than $10 and most in the $6-$9 range. I know that Target, Amazon and other places carry them and have them on sale at times.

[vonfirmath]

Can you give family gifts and just come up with 1 idea for each family that is more directed toward that family?