I have no idea what to get my kids for Christmas this year!

[lhafer]

I like to start looking around October for deals, ideas, etc. I usually have a list of stuff that I want to get them, and tend to wait for Black Friday, or other sales. This year I am clueless as to what to get them!!

They will be 5.5 years old (6 in March) and 20 months when Christmas rolls around. They have a LOT of stuff already. I usually try to rotate out old/not played with toys. But it's hard now that DD2 is getting old enough to really play with stuff now.

DD1 prefers stuffed animals to dolls. She doesn't really dress up, though she enjoys purses/makeup/etc (I did buy her a little Vera Bradley purse for Christmas because it was on a serious sale, and I thought she would love the color/pattern). She never really played with her play kitchen (sold it before DD2 was born) - but I'm wondering if it would be a good investment now that she has her little sister to play with, she has a Nilo train table that she uses to play with trains/cars/a bunch of Animal Planet animals (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4073734)on. She loves her bike and scooter. She has a Nintendo DS and loves to play it (as well as our Ipad, Xbox, Kinect, etc). She likes board games and books. She also loves arts and crafts. I just got her a Go Glider balance bike in hopes that for Christmas she can get a bigger bike (currently has a 12" that's way too small for her).

DD2 has access to all of DD1's stuff/old toys. She loves baby dolls and has Stella, a Tiddoo, and several other more generic dolls. She loves to push her shopping carts around. She loves books, is beginning to show interest in drawing/coloring. Also loves to play with the Animal Planet animals. Thought about a small kitchen, but I don't want to invest in another one, only for it not to be played with. She doesn't have access to one, so she's never seen one. The Fisher Price Learning Home was a major BUST for her. They have a Radio Flyer wagon already.

Was thinking that a remote controlled car/vehicle would be good this year for DD1? Was thinking about a Melissa and Doug horse stable/barn with horses (unicorns and horses are her favorite animals). And any ideas of other stuff I could get her, or suggest to family members? I have no idea where to even begin for DD2 - we have a rocking horse from DD1 in the attic I plan on bringing down for her for Christmas.

[KrisM]

My DD is 5 and is starting to play with Polly Pockets a lot. They're small and annoying, but she really enjoys them. Not a great idea if your younger one puts stuff in her mouth though.

Legos?

DD has this tracing board: http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Toys-Draw-like-Pro/dp/B0013JPVN8/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1315946918&sr=8-15

And this art kit: http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-200-Piece-Masterworks-Art-Case/dp/B000UKNR50/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1315946978&sr=1-3

Both get a lot of use.

An easel?

Beginning knitting? http://www.amazon.com/Darice-1171-58-Round-Plastic-Knitting/dp/B001GAHFHY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1315947021&sr=8-5

Sewing kit? http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Toys-First-Sewing-Kit/dp/B000F3V2MW/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1315947045&sr=1-1

Pot holder loom?

[lhafer]

My DD is 5 and is starting to play with Polly Pockets a lot. They're small and annoying, but she really enjoys them. Not a great idea if your younger one puts stuff in her mouth though.

Legos?

DD has this tracing board: http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Toys-Draw-like-Pro/dp/B0013JPVN8/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1315946918&sr=8-15

And this art kit: http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-200-Piece-Masterworks-Art-Case/dp/B000UKNR50/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1315946978&sr=1-3

Both get a lot of use.

An easel?

Beginning knitting? http://www.amazon.com/Darice-1171-58-Round-Plastic-Knitting/dp/B001GAHFHY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1315947021&sr=8-5

Sewing kit? http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Toys-First-Sewing-Kit/dp/B000F3V2MW/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1315947045&sr=1-1

Pot holder loom?

Thanks for the replies!

We had Polly Pockets...got zero love so they hit the trash.

She's not into legos.

She might be interested in the sewing. Will have to look into kits.

[KrisM]

Thanks for the replies!

We had Polly Pockets...got zero love so they hit the trash.

She's not into legos.

She might be interested in the sewing. Will have to look into kits.

DD got the Alex sewing kit last Christmas at 4.5 and was able to do all the projects herself, after we showed her how to sew. It uses embroidery thread, so a bit thicker and easier to manage. I did have to stuff the stuffed animals for her though. She really enjoyed the sewing and now creates her own outfits :). This one even has buttons.

[WatchingThemGrow]

magnatiles?

[TwinFoxes]

Aqua doodle. I had never heard of it until the Amazon sale last year. So cool!

[new_mommy25]

I think a 16" bike is a great gift for your 5 year old. Add in a new fun helmet and you're good to go! I bought DD the Bell Fraction helmet because I wanted her to have more coverage and the bonus is it's super cute. As for stuffed animals, my kids really like pillow pets, in all sizes. Those get a lot of play. If she is into certain things, maybe a stuffed animal for that? DD really likes Hello Kitty stuffed animals and DS has several pandas and Pokemon stuffed animals. DD really wanted a makeup kit and asked DH for one when he went on his last trip. He called me in a panic because he couldn't find any makeup kits that weren't crap in the toy section. I told him to buy a zippered cosmetic bag and then get a lipstick, eyeshadow, plush, and pressed powder from Wet N Wild or other cheap makeup. He did and DD thinks it is the best thing ever because it is just like my makeup. Yeah, it is real makeup, but she only wears it in the house and it's a lot less frustrating and less scary than some of the makeup kids she's been gifted in the past. DS is really into the mini Hot Wheels remote control cars. He asked for them for his birthday and they are surprisingly speedy and fun. DD wants one now. http://www.amazon.com/Wheels-Nitro-Speeders-Chevy-Camaro/dp/B004U5FTBG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1315997264&sr=8-2 Are you opposed to jewelry at all? DD has a white gold necklace DH bought her that she wears every day. She also has her ears pierced so she has a few pairs of earrings.

Does DD2 have a stroller, baby carrier, cradle, or highchair for her dolls? Those, along with a diaper bag and those fake plastic bottles are/were big favorites of DD. Does she have her own purse or back pack? I wouldn't get another kitchen but I would get some new, fun accessories. M&D has some really cute foods out there. We have the donuts and the cookies. I want to get the decorating cupcakes set. DD also has a few play aprons that she wears. And dress up is huge for her. We love the Little Adventure gowns. At that age I bought DD some wooden jewelry that she still wears. http://www.kinuma.com/product_info.php/language/en/info/p640_Collar-de-bolas-grandes-Arcoiris---corto.html
http://www.trendybrandykids.com/Tatiri_Necklace_Flower__Heart_and_Dots-details.aspx

[lhafer]

I think a 16" bike is a great gift for your 5 year old. Add in a new fun helmet and you're good to go! I bought DD the Bell Fraction helmet because I wanted her to have more coverage and the bonus is it's super cute. As for stuffed animals, my kids really like pillow pets, in all sizes. Those get a lot of play. If she is into certain things, maybe a stuffed animal for that? DD really likes Hello Kitty stuffed animals and DS has several pandas and Pokemon stuffed animals. DD really wanted a makeup kit and asked DH for one when he went on his last trip. He called me in a panic because he couldn't find any makeup kits that weren't crap in the toy section. I told him to buy a zippered cosmetic bag and then get a lipstick, eyeshadow, plush, and pressed powder from Wet N Wild or other cheap makeup. He did and DD thinks it is the best thing ever because it is just like my makeup. Yeah, it is real makeup, but she only wears it in the house and it's a lot less frustrating and less scary than some of the makeup kids she's been gifted in the past. DS is really into the mini Hot Wheels remote control cars. He asked for them for his birthday and they are surprisingly speedy and fun. DD wants one now. http://www.amazon.com/Wheels-Nitro-Speeders-Chevy-Camaro/dp/B004U5FTBG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1315997264&sr=8-2 Are you opposed to jewelry at all? DD has a white gold necklace DH bought her that she wears every day. She also has her ears pierced so she has a few pairs of earrings.

Does DD2 have a stroller, baby carrier, cradle, or highchair for her dolls? Those, along with a diaper bag and those fake plastic bottles are/were big favorites of DD. Does she have her own purse or back pack? I wouldn't get another kitchen but I would get some new, fun accessories. M&D has some really cute foods out there. We have the donuts and the cookies. I want to get the decorating cupcakes set. DD also has a few play aprons that she wears. And dress up is huge for her. We love the Little Adventure gowns. At that age I bought DD some wooden jewelry that she still wears. http://www.kinuma.com/product_info.php/language/en/info/p640_Collar-de-bolas-grandes-Arcoiris---corto.html
http://www.trendybrandykids.com/Tatiri_Necklace_Flower__Heart_and_Dots-details.aspx

THanks for the ideas!! My problem is, my kids have a tons of stuff. They get a lot for Christmas (being the only grandchildren), then their birthdays are in Feb and March, and they get a lot then too.

DD1 will be getting a new bike. I just got her a Go Glider balance bike that she is practicing on, and her current bike is a 12" bike - just way too small. And she recently got a new helmet because she had outgrown her last one. She chose a Phineus and Ferb one.

She has 2 pillow pets (well 3 because we also have a mini pillow pet). She loves those things!!

Thanks for the link to the remote controlled car. DH and I think she would LOVE one of these, but I am clueless about them and need to research them some more.

She would love some make up. I got her a little Vera Bradley purse for Christmas (stuffed in a closet right now), that I can put some makeup in.

As for DD2, she gets all of DD1's old toys that are in good condition. But she doesn't have stuff for her baby dolls because DD1 was never into dolls, so I don't have that stuff to pass down. So I can put that on her list.

We don't have a kitchen (sold the plastic one), so that's why I was looking into a new one. BUt I will get them some M&D food stuff...those are so cool!!

She's not into dress up yet. Her birthday is in Feb, so I will save some dress up stuff/jewelry for then.

[fivi2]

your 5.5 yo sounds like my 5.5 yos. They want a scooter, but it sounds like your dd has one. I agree that a bike is a good idea.

Mine like art kits and sewing kits. I will probably look for some sort of science kit.

For the past couple of years I have done a photo book for each of them. One year was baby pics, one year was our trip to WDW that summer, etc. They get a kick out of those.

Oh, for their December birthday I told them we will paint their room and change it a bit. Maybe something like that for your dd - a new comforter or wall decals or something?

Good luck!

[lhafer]

I forgot to say that I usually do more for DD1 at Christmas gift wise, than birthday because for her birthdays we pay to have her parties elsewhere (bounce house places, museums, Little Gym, etc). So since a lot of cost goes into that, we just give her a smaller gift or 2 from us.

DD2 isn't even 2 yet, and we still have her parties at home - so that's not a big factor just yet. We usually start having parties elsewhere when other friends start coming into the picture.

[pastrygirl]

I'm focusing on active stuff this year, since my 5yo really needs to get some energy out! I was thinking about a balance board (Alex has a cute one) and these river stones: http://www.amazon.com/American-Educational-River-Stone-Set/dp/B000ANIVRG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1316004987&sr=8-2

[ourbabygirl]

Sorry- duplicate post.

[ourbabygirl]

My kids' bdays are coming up next month, and while mine aren't quite the same age as yours (almost 1 & almost 3), this is what I want to get our kids/ suggest to others if they ask... it might give you some ideas:

*Unit blocks
*Crawling tunnel & play tent (good for cold weather & cabin fever indoors)
*Vehicles (I'd like a nice dump truck &/or tractor for DS)
*Games (Cariboo, etc.)
*Easel (like PP mentioned; esp. if they're into art)
*Basketball hoop (small, FP or similar brand)

Beanbag chair?
Picnic table for outdoors or in?
Magazine subscription they would both enjoy? (Highlights, Ladybug/ Baby bug, Ranger Rick little kid version)

Would they like a ball pit? Our friends' DD (a little over 2) has one & LOVES IT! So does my DD when she goes over to play. ;)

I agree on the Magnatiles- we've had ours for about a year and DH and DD love building fun things together. :thumbsup: There may still be a code for 20% off from discountschoolsupplies (look in the Bargains section).

[kochh2]

how about a Rody or a Bilibo?? both still gets sooo much loving in our house!!

[lhafer]

how about a Rody or a Bilibo?? both still gets sooo much loving in our house!!

I have no idea what these are!! Off to research...

ETA: ahh.....I've seen the Bilibo before, didn't know the name of it. But the Rody looks AWESOME!! SO much fun!! The Bilibo looks really cool too. Great for imagination!

[khalloc]

We have a large pink bilibo and it just collects dust. Kids dont ever play with it.

[KrisM]

Someone got a Rody Max for their older kids last year. I can't remember who, but maybe that for the 5 yo.

We have a Wahoo, which is very similar, but a blue dog, and all the kids enjoy it.