HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

[SIZE=18pt]Ok Gang!! Let's post all our Holiday Gift Ideas in this thread!
(please list the AGE range of the gift you are recommending)
We'll post this in a sticky above after about a week!![/SIZE]

 

2 year olds (specifically boys): Thomas Trains, Train Table, Playdough, Anything CRAYOLA (For your Diane ), bedding, clothes, stuffed animals.

I'll be back with more!

 

2 Years and Up with New/Popular Toy/Items Recommendation

I thought I could share you all a great idea for a sock stuffing gift for Christmas this year. They have this 'bye-bye boo-boo' therapeutic ice pack for pain & fever relief. I got the Scooby-Doo and Hello Kitty, I think they have Thomas the Train and Sponge Bob too.

It is by the Baby Aisle section, I found mine on the side aisle by the baby music box.

*Another post by Michelle says they sell those at Target at the front register.

~~~

Fisher-Price Snap N' Style Doll (this is a big hit)
My First Scooter by Radio Flyer in RED or PINK (2-1/2 and up)
GeoTrax Collection (2-1/2 and up)
Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head
Fisher Price Doodle Pro (Buy for home / small one for traveling to leave in car/van)
Melissa and Doug Wooden Puzzles (Fantastic for resale for later)
Ball Pits / any inflatible will be fun!
Tonka Collection
Easel Paper Roll w/Crayola Finger paint
Step2 Play Kitchen (varies sizes to choose, all good / some people like wooden play kitchen)
Step2 Play Pot/Pans
Play food (any kind)
Fisher Price Cash Register (look for the one that says 2 yrs old)
Leap Frog Farm Magnetic Animals Set
NEW: Leap Frog Fridge Wash & Go Magnetic Vehicle Set
NEW: Fridge Phonics® Magnetic Set
Fridge Phonics® Lowercase Letters Expansion Pack
Leap Frog Letter Factory (DVD)
NEW: Crawl & Cruise Musical Jungle (Ages 6 to 36 months)
NEW: Mickey's Surprise Clubhouse
Leap Frog 'Learn To Read at the Storybook Factory' (DVD)
Signing Times (DVD)
Popular: My Twins Dollhouse by Fisher-Price (2 yrs and up)
HIT: Pottery Barn Chairs "Anywhere" (be aware that it can take up space in your area depends on room size)
If this doesn't work out, bean bags sitting are always a great hit too
A MUST HAVE: Foldable Floor Tray (white/pink/red/blue) by "The Company Store" www.companykids.com
The Company Store - Back to School Backpack ADORABLE! (for restaurants, sitter, visiting families, playgroup, traveling, and etc.)
Fisher-Price "Little Mommy" (some 18 months and up and/or 2 yrs and up)
Animal Baby Subscription Magazine (age 12 months to 4 yrs old)
Play-Doh (any kind)
Sandra Boynton Book Collection
Gossie, Ollie the Stomper, BooBoo, and Gossie & Gertie book collection by Olivier Dunrea
Martha Stewart Handcraft Puppet (are fun craft for 2 yrs and up w/help of course)
For those you have snow (look for toddler sleigh)?
Play Clothes/Capes

~~~~

Potty Training Gift

Vinyl training pants/underwears
Baby Bjorn Potty
Wipes/Soap
Step Up w/storage for toddlers learning how to wash hands
Pamper Good-Night Pull Up Diapers
Potty Book

~~~~~

Clothes
Legging (when girls wear dress in winter time)
Hair accessories
Undershirt
Slippers
Pajamas
Coat/snowsuit
Mitten/gloves
Hat
Boot
Shoes

~~~~~

K&B Toys sell 7 x 7 foot of bounce come with a blower for about $128 (indoor/Outdoor -- put in basement during winter time)

~~~~~

Gift card for places to go such as Children's Museum, Chuckie E. Cheese, Jungle Gym, Park District Classes/Craft, Petting Zoo, Zoo, My Gym, Gymquest (for play time), and etc.

 

Another fantastic idea.....for Grandparents, In-Law, or Daddy

A gift from Kodak Gallery

Photo book by Eric Carle Classic (hardbound)
Stickers (for mailing out Christmas cards)
Brushstroke Canvas (16 x 20" canvas - $109.99 or 20 x 24" canvas - $119.99)

 

2 year old girls...my girls currently love:

Dress up items: skirts, beads, hats

Coloring/craft: crayons, water paints, finger paints, play-doh, stickers, markers, ripping paper and gluing

Dolls, doll beds, baby doll bottles, blankets for the dolls

Leap Frog Fridge Phonics

Little People

Puzzles

Phones, phones, and more PHONES, play or regular! Any type, any kind. They are phone obssessed!!

 

1-2 yr olds

My boys got these for their birthday and LOVE them. They can't even walk yet, but like to be set into their chair. It's the perfect size.
Personalized chairs/step stools
http://www.mileskimball.com/MilesKimball/b...Room+D%C3%A9cor
Table and Chair set
Fisher Price: Laugh and Learn ANYTHING!

 

18 Months and Up
Step2 "Magical Shoe Fairy Cottage" (very cute!)

Age 1-4 Popular Hit w/Little People:
Animal Sounds
Lil' Movers School Bus
Lil' Mover Airplane

NEW: 2 to 6 yrs old w/Little People:
Dance N' Twirl (I have the older version called "Castle")

Age 1+ and Up
Popular: "Mega Wagon"
Mega Bloks CAT Workbench
Disney Princess Enchanted Tales
Princess Bag
Enchanted Carriage
Disney Pooh Pirate Ship (very cute)

IKEA: Table/chairs in Red or Blue (Afforable)
IKEA: Toys Bins (perfect to put toys in) for the holiday
Target online has some great choice of table/chairs

 

My guys will be 1 on December 19th so we have started a Bday/Christmas list!


Ball pit
table and chair set
Radio Flyer Wagon
musical instruments

Not sure what else yet...that is all we have down so far!

 

QUOTE(Sullyirishtwins @ Sep 17 2008, 12:32 PM) [snapback]983829[/snapback]
Age 1-4 Popular Hit w/Little People:
Animal Sounds
Lil' Movers School Bus
Lil' Mover Airplane

NEW: 2 to 6 yrs old w/Little People:
Dance N' Twirl (I have the older version called "Castle")

Age 1+ and Up
Popular: "Mega Wagon"


I agree that anything Little People or Mega Block related is super - pieces EVERYWHERE - but such is life.

For the 2 year range, we also got their first baby dolls, dress up items, etc.

PUZZLES! Big piece puzzles are fablous. Animals, shapes, letters, numbers, etc. You can't have too many of these.

 

These were our boys' favorites at about 1 year:

Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere Chairs
anything Little People or Play Town
big wood puzzles (with knobs on pieces and pictures underneath the pieces)
shape sorters
Fisher Price Laugh & Learn home
Leap Frog fridge farm
push to walk/ride on

 

3 yr. old recommendation:

Three Wheeled Scooter ($19 ish at BRU)
Hippity Hops

 

Some favorites of my boys in 1-2 range:

those big legos
absolutely anything with the Little People
Doodle Pro/Magna Doodle (I know they say for 3+ but my boys love these and starting really using them within the last month so probably around the 18 month range!!!!!! I think you have to supervise b/c the main issue is the little magnet in the end of the "pencil" that they could possibly break off and swallow...otherwise, I don't know why a younger child cannot use them)
Crayola Color Wonder Markers/Paper
sand/water table
blow up ball pit
Any of the Leap Frog Fridge letters/phonics/barnyard things

 

3 to 4 years
Gender neutral
Tricycle or small bike (pedaling is a developemental milestone)
Wood blocks
Dr. Seaus books (Rhyming rocks at this age!)
Easel with chalkboard, washable tempra paints, etc... (foster that budding artist's talent)
More dress up and pretend play (doctor's kit, fireman hat, chef's apron, etc...)
kid size table and chairs (Step two is SUPER durable. I've had the same set for 10 years and four kids!)
Hand Puppets
Preschool sized backpack (target, lands end, lillian vernon, tru) Foster responsibility early. They can carry thier own change of clothes, cup, snack, toys, etc...
Kitchen with food, pots and pans, etc... (Cooking isn't just for girls!)
Tonka dump truck (My girls have had the same heavy metal dump truck for 9 years. All of them love it. Sometimes dolls ride in it, sometimes it's a construction vehicle.... Fun for all!)
Puzzles (Not wood board puzzles. Real puzzles with fitting pieces... start with 16 to 24 piece sets and work up.)
Animal figurines... the realistic ones that are smaller and less chunky than little people
Bean bag
Toy bins (This style. Makes clean up easy and finding toys easy. Less mess. Less headache for mom! Wish the older two had them and never bought traditional toy boxes)



Girls
First Barbie
Princess everything
Baby doll
baby bed
baby stroller
baby bottles
baby clothes
baby, baby, baby....
Doll house (Loving family dollhouse has been through all four of my kids. WAY better than the barbie dreamhouse. It's housed loving family people, animals, disney princesses, and been good for hours of quiet play.)


I'm sure I'll think of more later but that's it for now.

 

Yay! Great thread!! I'll go back & read through later, so I'm sorry if I'm repeating. I have 2 1/2 yr old boy/girl.....Here's our "wish list"

stocking stuffers:

chapstick
socks
crayons or markers - washable ONLY
coloring book
snacks
beanie hats
small book
small stuffed animal; they usually sit on top & peek over the edge
toothbrush
stickers
punching balls or balloons
Little People add-ons


Gifts:
art bibs/smocks
slippers
movies
gift cards from McDonald's, etc (they're starting to be interested in paying for things)
jammies
balls
any cooking-type toys.....I think I'm going to get this coffee maker
books
step stool for the potty



I made a list on Amazon of the toys they already have & love......it's my 1st list, so hopefully the link works

 

I think this is the right link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania...F8&lm%5Fbb=

 

Great list gang! Let's keep it going!!! :banana:

 

If you go to Toys R Us home page, you can click on "shop by age" on the left hand side. I have found some great gifts for the girls that way.

 

12-18months:

Baby doll strollers
Mega blocks
Cars and trucks (my girls have these from Target and love them!)
Shape sorter
Books
Magna doodle
Tunnel (like this-the girls love this!)

Thats all I can think of right now.

 

Daine, do your kids still play with their Wedgits (I saw this in another sticky)? My boys just turned 3 and I want my sister to get them for the boys for Chrismtas.

TIA
Mendy

 

QUOTE(me&myboys @ Sep 23 2008, 05:07 AM) [snapback]992929[/snapback]
Daine, do your kids still play with their Wedgits (I saw this in another sticky)? My boys just turned 3 and I want my sister to get them for the boys for Chrismtas.

TIA
Mendy

THEY DO!!! They are so awesome!! Really it's a great gift!! Thank you for reminding me! It's a good one!

 

my 4.5 yr olds will be getting:

Leapster - handheld educational gaming device
books
that bicycle video game thing

 

From 1 - 2 years old, our girls loved:

1. The Fisher Price doorway (not sure what it is called but it has the doorbell, mail slot, shape sorters, songs, clock etc) - great thing is that 2 of them can play with it at once
2. The bouncing zebra (12-18mos mostly)
3. Mega Blocks
4. Puzzles of any kind
5. Books of any kind
6. Purses, bags etc
7. Dress up stuff like shoes, hats, mitts etc
8. Dolls

For their 2nd birthday here are some of the things they be getting:

1. A kitchen
2. Play food
3. More stuff for their dolls
4. More books
5. Trucks, trains & cars (they love automobiles)
6. A tunnel of some sort
7. Tea sets
8. Cleaning sets (TRU has one at 50% off right now and it is a 7-piece cleaning set with a broom, dustpan etc)
9. Playmobil stuff (this is a *maybe*)

For Christmas when they will be 2yrs & 2 mos, here are some of the items they will be getting:

1. A playhouse (which will be used indoors this winter and then we will put outside in the spring next year)
2. Mr & Mrs Potato Head
3. Dress up stuff (we'll probably pick up some fancy dressy costumes after Halloween is over to get some good deals)
4. More books
5. Playmobil or Lego Duplo stuff (not sure yet)
And other stuff but I don't know what yet!

 

I"m considering this on recommendation from Becky444 It's the build a road one....(top item!)

For our 3.5 almost 4 yr. olds we are getting Leapsters

For Ali - I'm thinking Cash Register! The girl is all about money!

THIS INTRIGUES ME!!! NEW SPIN ON BLOCKS!!!! No small magnets to be swallowed either! MAGNEATOS!

FOR ALL YOU ROAD TRIPPERS>>>>>> CHECK OUT THESE MARBLE MAZES!!!

 

K&M received this for their 4th Birthday.

We haven't opened/used it yet but it looks WAY cool!

http://www.hasbro.com/playskool/default.cf...roduct_id=22406

 

QUOTE(Juj @ Oct 15 2008, 06:55 PM) [snapback]1027771[/snapback]
K&M received this for their 4th Birthday.

We haven't opened/used it yet but it looks WAY cool!

http://www.hasbro.com/playskool/default.cf...roduct_id=22406

That's AWESOME!! Ali's all about boogie fever right now!!

 

QUOTE(~* dfaut *~ @ Oct 15 2008, 08:50 AM) [snapback]1027180[/snapback]
I"m considering this on recommendation from Becky444 It's the build a road one....(top item!)

For our 3.5 almost 4 yr. olds we are getting Leapsters

For Ali - I'm thinking Cash Register! The girl is all about money!

THIS INTRIGUES ME!!! NEW SPIN ON BLOCKS!!!! No small magnets to be swallowed either! MAGNEATOS!

FOR ALL YOU ROAD TRIPPERS>>>>>> CHECK OUT THESE MARBLE MAZES!!!



I am getting the Top one for my crew. So excited to get going.

 

I 2nd the Leapster! My 4 year old got hers for her 4th bday and it's awesome! She had no previous experience with something like this, but caught on quickly!

 

QUOTE(~* dfaut *~ @ Oct 15 2008, 02:50 PM) [snapback]1027180[/snapback]
For Ali - I'm thinking Cash Register! The girl is all about money!



don't even think about it. just do it. my girls will play for HOURS with theirs. sorting the coins and bills and buying different things. We sell an average of $1000 in stuffed animals daily. Each transaction ends up being $81.

ETA: mine are 3.5. They are also into Littlest pet shop. :umm:

 

I thought this portable dollhouse kit would be a great gift for a girl age 3+
http://www.graceviolet.com/2008/10/handmade-holiday.html

I like that you can decorate it yourself so it's a unique one of a kind sorta thing. If you or your DH is the wood cutting type then you could probably just make it yourself if you wanted to save some moolah
Too bad my girls aren't quite there yet for this kind of gift


MJ

 

QUOTE(p31heather @ Oct 27 2008, 09:21 PM) [snapback]1044885[/snapback]
don't even think about it. just do it. my girls will play for HOURS with theirs. sorting the coins and bills and buying different things. We sell an average of $1000 in stuffed animals daily. Each transaction ends up being $81.

ETA: mine are 3.5. They are also into Littlest pet shop. :umm:

It's already purchased!! Thanks for the reinforcement!!!

I also wanted to mention www.wishlist.com to create wishlists that you can send to your family and that way you don't have to be in control of all the 'who's buying what?' stuff.....

 

QUOTE(naomi02 @ Sep 18 2008, 12:46 PM) [snapback]986086[/snapback]
Yay! Great thread!! I'll go back & read through later, so I'm sorry if I'm repeating. I have 2 1/2 yr old boy/girl.....Here's our "wish list"

stocking stuffers:

chapstick
socks
crayons or markers - washable ONLY
coloring book
snacks
beanie hats
small book
small stuffed animal; they usually sit on top & peek over the edge
toothbrush
stickers
punching balls or balloons
Little People add-ons
Gifts:
art bibs/smocks
slippers
movies
gift cards from McDonald's, etc (they're starting to be interested in paying for things)
jammies
balls
any cooking-type toys.....I think I'm going to get this coffee maker
books
step stool for the potty
I made a list on Amazon of the toys they already have & love......it's my 1st list, so hopefully the link works

 

I need help! My two will be 3 on 12/30 and I have no ideas at all so far! Besides everything! And the MIL is on my butt big time....I just cant narrow it down :huh:

 

QUOTE(OneBoyOneGirl @ Nov 15 2008, 07:55 AM) [snapback]1071596[/snapback]
I need help! My two will be 3 on 12/30 and I have no ideas at all so far! Besides everything! And the MIL is on my butt big time....I just cant narrow it down :huh:


Jenni, we're 3 in March and this is what the boys are getting:

Stockings:
Tom & Jerry DVD (Target $5.50)
wooden vehicles (Target dollar spot)
chapstick
mittens
Fruit snacks
electric toothbrushes
scissors for crafts

Santa:
Train table
Train set
Tool box
Airplane
Toddler Board games

Mom & Dad:
SmartCycle or set of trikes/scooters.
Homemade robes
Snow pants & snow boots so we can go tubing
Lightening McQueen PJs
Big basket of supplies for craft projects

 

QUOTE(SweetpeaG @ Nov 24 2008, 03:08 PM) [snapback]1084978[/snapback]
Jenni, we're 3 in March and this is what the boys are getting:

Stockings:
Tom & Jerry DVD (Target $5.50)
wooden vehicles (Target dollar spot)
chapstick
mittens
Fruit snacks
electric toothbrushes
scissors for crafts

Santa:
Train table
Train set
Tool box
Airplane
Toddler Board games

Mom & Dad:
SmartCycle or set of trikes/scooters.
Homemade robes
Snow pants & snow boots so we can go tubing
Lightening McQueen PJs
Big basket of supplies for craft projects



Were getting lots of things for preschool.craft projects...

So far I have scissors, paints, paint cups, construction, paper, paint brushes.

What else are you putting in your craft basket??

I ahve run out of ideas....

 

QUOTE(nikki_0724 @ Nov 24 2008, 12:17 PM) [snapback]1084992[/snapback]
What else are you putting in your craft basket??


I'm also putting a big bag of buttons from Jo-Anns (they love to sort them into muffin pans or string them).

Discount School Supply (a preschool/child care vendor/supplier) had a smokin' deal last week and I totally loaded up (quick look at their website shows it's still going on, but I paid much less for some of the items last week). Here's what we got:

Stamp sets (alphabet, numbers, animals, bugs) and stamp pads (only $9.36 on my order)
Smocks (these were $1.76 last week!)
paint
Art Trays ($1.35 last week)
Decorative Ceramic plates (for grandparent gifts)
Stringing Straws
Self-stick wiggly eyes
Foam stamps
various pre-made craft kits (make your own monster, suncatchers, make your own tote, etc.)

Other pre-schoolish things:
Dressing Boards ( :huh: these were only $4.79 last week)
Bucket stilts (probably tuck these away until their bday)
T-ball set (probably tuck away until their bday)