Is there such a thing as a SMALL big present for a 20 month old?

[MaMight]

We are flying to family at Christmas. Mil asked what we were going to do about presents / limited luggage allowance / young children's presents tending to be bulky. I said a little book or one small toy would be absolutely perfect, ds would be thrilled with anything she chose, and we'd be able to take it back with us.

But no.

She insists that he has to have a "proper big present". By big I think she means expensive. It is very silly. There is nothing he needs, and he will be more interested in the box it came in anyway. BUT, in the interests of family harmony, I am trying to think of something that is small and light enough to take home in a suitcase, but an exciting enough present for Mil to feel she is spoiling her grandson with an exciting 'main' present.

Any ideas?

[plimple]

Ask her what she means. You can't bring something too big back so can she give a voucher? Savings money?
Tell her you can't think of anything and leave it to her making it clear that if it's too big it'll have to live at her house!

[DLI]

what about some sort of playmat, perhaps one with roads etc and some chunky cars or a wooden train set that comes in a box so you can put it in the bottom of your case. (He may be a little small now - my ds is 6 and i can just to say remember that far back lol) but it would be ideal for the summer and can easily be put in the suitcase.

[iheartdusty]

play tent?

play parachute (those big circles you waft in the air and hide underneath)

[trixymalixy]

silver money box?

[bitofadramaqueen]

How about an aquadraw mat? ELC have lots of different ones and they look like they'd be easy to fold and be pretty lightweight.

[FaintlyMacabre]

This isn't very expensive, but my DS would absolutely love it, and would probably count it as his 'main' present. (if he knew about present classification, that is!)

[MrsBadger]

if it was a dd I would say a gorgeous party dress

aquadraw v good if you've not already got one

[soozze]

What about a trunki? it can be used to carry all of your gifts back

[pollywobbledoodle]

an enormous cardboard box stuffed with balloons and shiny paper for now and a cheque towards something to go in the garden in the summer

[SparkleandSlime]

trunki - just what I was about to say - the gruffalo is particularly nice, tiger and ladybird also super...

[ellokitty]

What about theatre tickets for the money and then some small toys / clothes for opening? At 2, there are lots of things children love watching - there's lots of shows coming up early next year like Peppa Pig, Noddy, Milkshake etc etc. My DDs went to the Theatre at 2, and were entranced!

[JackBauWooohooohoowaaer]

Can she pick somethign herself and get it delivered to your house or does she want to see him open it?
MIL has bought DD@s a dollshouse, and is insisting on putting it up for when we go and see them after christmas. But we won't be able to get it in the car then, and it wont be until new year anyway. FFS!

[SCARYspicemonster]

Oh yes I'd go for the Trunki for sure. It's useful and your MIL will get to help your DD pack it (although if you have to get it to MIL's then that could be an issue). Having said that, I don't think there is a size restriction for hold luggage is there?

[Sassyfrassy]

The trunki is fabulous. My dd who is now 4 has one and it's great at the airport. Very easy to pull and she loves sitting on it for a ride. It gets played with quite a lot at home as well =)