Christmas gift idea for girls who have enough toys

[cdlamis]

My DD's have everything they are interested in and really don't need anymore toys. Actually, I can't think of a thing that DD#2 would even want- not a thing! They both loves dolls (have enough), their play kitchen (all set there), etc.

Now, the grandparents are asking what to give them for Christmas and DD#2's birthday. I need ideas for non toy gifts. I am thinking of things like butterfly kits and art kits- problem is that they already have these. Any other ideas?

Thanks SO much!

*ETA- I forgot one important criteria. According to the grandparents, most gifts need to be something that can be unwrapped and that the kids would get excited about upon opening. The Christmas morning squeal is important to them (I understand their point)! :) So, something like children's theater tickets (which I AND the girls would LOVE) or zoo memberships would not fly with the GPs.

Daniella
Mom to Julia 6/02
and Bella 12/04
"http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_sapphire_24m.gif"

[elliput]

I am going to suggest books, games, puzzles and zoo memberships to relatives this year when they ask about presents for my DD.

[Mommy Of A Little Angel]

Not sure how much they want to spend but I know places like The Little Gym and Gymboree allow relatives to give classes as gifts.

[SnuggleBuggles]

My mom is planning to take ds to a hotel for a night as a special present. Ds hardly remembers any material gifts but he sure remembers that. Are there any things along that line that could be done (are they at all near by?). Go see a show, go ice skating, do something special for the holidays?

Memberships to something?

How about bed tents? Or just pop up tents?

Board games?

Beth

[jenmcadams]

Dress Up Stuff
- Capes from Superflykidz on etsy.com
- Princess (not necessarily disney) dress-up costumes
- Dress-Up Accessories, Jewelry, Shoes, etc.
- Dress-Up Armoire...I would love to get a nice armoire with a mirrored door and drawers to store all of the dress-up paraphenilia
- A nice Jewelry Box -- I got my DD one (complete with music and spinning ballerina) when I went away on a trip and she loves it. I didn't go for the super nice ones, but the one I got (~$25-$30) should last a few years. She uses it less for her dress-up stuff and more for her "real" jewels. You can get some cool ones that are personalized, etc.

Art Stuff
- Beading Kits (esp. for DD#1)
- Klutz Kits (Make Your own Tiara is a favorite)

Games
- My 5 year old DD loves logic and building type games (Make and Break, Rush Hour, etc.); she also is starting to like checkers, card games, etc. She got a great multi-game kit for her birthday she plays with a lot
- Cup Stacking Game -- seems goofy, but both my kids love this
- Other classic games ... Hungry Hungry Hippos works with both my 2 year old and 4 year old

Other/Big Items
- We have a large playroom and my 2 year old DS got a cool trampoline with a handle that both kiddos love playing with
- Bikes, Trikes, Balance Bikes
- My DD got her first American Girl doll for her 5th birthday and that has been a big hit...even if your DDs have lots of dolls, if they love dolls, you might think about investing in an AG doll for your older DD

Clothes
- My DD is such a clothes horse, she'd be psyched by some cool Indygo Artwear or Hanna outfits; my DS also loves new clothes as long as they're in his favorite color of "yellow"

So, random ideas, but hope they help :)

[SnuggleBuggles]

What about an adopt an animal sort of thing? Depending on how much you spend the World Wildlife Fund's adoptions can come with things like books and stuffed animals. Probably not squeal inducing, but kind of cute. If your kids are animal lovers it may work. :) I know that with my love of pandas as a kid around that age this present would have rocked.

Here's the adoption info (as well as other gifts).
https://secure.worldwildlife.org/ogc/index.cfm?sc=AWY0800WC000

Beth

[tiapam]

Not sure about the squeal factor for these:

Sigg Water bottle
Sleeping bag
Small rolling suitcase
Art smock
Personalized towel (Lands End has cute ones for kids)
Tee shirt with one of their favorite things or characters on it
Cooking kits like mixes and stuff - or more grown up cooking or baking things (new aprons, etc.) for "helping" you (Williams-Sonoma has lots of kids stuff)

-Pam

DD - 3 YO

[brittone2]

If you are thinking art kits, butterfly kits, etc. maybe something educational but fun? Some sort of other kit they don't have already? A gift certificate for ladybugs? A root vue farm? http://www.chinaberry.com/prod.cfm/pgc/11900/sbc/11907/inv/11913/tid/807092804

worm vue?
http://www.chinaberry.com/prod.cfm/pgc/11800/sbc/11805/inv/11914

fairy garden?
http://www.discoverthis.com/fairy-plant-kit.html

Can you hunt through some fun/unique gift sites like Chinaberry, or www.tedcotoys.com?

Board games? Haba, Family Pasttimes, etc.?

If they love dolls, do they have or would they be interested in a high chair, cradle, etc.? It sounds like you might already have that covered though.

Etsy is always fun for inspiration (like the superflykidz capes someone else posted).

Indoor or outdoor playhouse or teepee?

I would personally probably suggest a museum membership, magazine subscription, or other experience gifts, but I know what you mean about the grandparents wanting some instant wow factor. Could they take the girls to see a performance of the Nutcracker or something before Christmas as their gift? A surprise like that would have some serious wow to it.

ETA: just looking through a catalog and thought of you. I'm not sure if you have the space or desire, but something like a tumbling mat, a mini trampoline w/ a handle to hold onto,or an indoor swing (like some of Ikea or Haba's cool stuff?). Bed canopy?
Room decorations? Something like dVider http://store.dvider.com/stickers.html or mimi Lou http://store.zoebonline.com/children-wall-art.html (thought of those since they would take up minimal room, kwim?)

[egoldber]

I love the idea of the Nutcracker. That would be a fabulous gift that Sarah would love! Just make sure its a kid friendly performance.

Sarah got something similar to that fairy garden for her 6th birthday and she absolutely adored it. Me, not so much, but she loved it LOL!!

I also like the jewelry box idea. And maybe a small piece of nice-ish jewelry to go with it? Something to make her feel grown up.

All of those things would wow Sarah.

ETA: Not sure how you feel about video type games. I plan to get Sarah a Nintendo DS Lite for Hanukkah and she will love that. Would you and/or the grandparents consider something like that an OK gift?