Christmas....(i know...humour me!)

[allthebestkids06]

Christmas is upon us...I have to start planning...loads of kids - and quite frankly the adoption topics are so depressing lately we could all do with some nicer chats....so

I need some ideas....I don't buy much - kids go wild and can't cope etc
we tend to buy 1 biggish pressie eg bike etc. and about 4-5 little bits to open - eg pjs, dvd, new pencil, £ is irrelevant to the LOs, but they MUST have the same number of gifts...

dc 1 i've got dream box of lego
dc 2 wants a scooter i think....keeps changing mind
dc 4 wants a scooter...
dc3, 5 and 6 i am stuck - they are 5yrs and the babies are 18 months (these are the kids who have everything you or i could think of!)
HELP PLEASE

[fatberg]

If 2&4 are having scooters how about something similar for 3? Go kart, heeleys, something else wheeled...

And for babies a ride on or a coupe or pram? It'll be like the Wacky races, mind...

[B1rdonawire]

Kiddizoom camera kept LO occupied for hours at a time when aged 4-5 as you can give them challenges of pics to take / let them take 8 million selfies

Puppet theatre also a big hit at that age, and play dough always popular. We tend to do stuff like bubbles, puzzles, book, for the little bits.

If anyone finds anywhere selling a talking wizard alarm clock (thank you "Boss Baby"...) you would make me the best mum EVER.

[Rainatnight]

Would the 18 month olds like a sand and water table? Our DD will be around that age at Christmas and that's what I'm thinking of. She LOVES them when we go to the children's centre and I think even when the weather's not great, she'd really enjoy playing with it outside in her wellies and anorak. And as they have two parts, they're perfect for sharing/playing together (she says, optimistically!).

This is the sort of thing I mean, though there are lots of different versions out there.

www.argos.co.uk/product/1465039

Yay, Christmas!

[allthebestkids06]

thanks for ideas...

i've said no to the dreaded heelies....too afraid of broken bones!
we have 2 go-carts, 2 coupe & prams (lots)....we have a kiddizoom camera, we also have a sand/water table that is played with outside all year round

the biggest box of play doh and bits that is played with regularly so i can update that :)
not considered a puppet theater before thanks - will look - will need a sturdy one! flimsy doesn't cut it in this house

(our rule in autumn is to pass unused toys onto charity so make room so they are generous kids, not spoilt, there are just lots of them - hence lots of toys!)

not heard of the talking wizard alarm clock sorry - B1rdonawire

this is why I need ideas!!!!! Thanks all.....

[fatberg]

I'm fending off Heeley requests too - it was replaced with request for skates. (No! That's worse!)

[Iamthestorm]

How about a play kitchen for the little ones? That's where I'm heading with my toddler.

[DuncanDonut]

Our DD8’s best birthday present was an electric keyboard, and she plays on it quite a lot (thankfully it takes headphones).
She did also get Heeleys,but couldn’t master them straight away, so has given up.
Other favourites are K’nex sets, innotab, and wii games.

[allthebestkids06]

We have a kitchen....and a piano plus electric keyboard (they have lessons)

Could think about more knex...we do have a wii - so yes more games (though dobt play really on what we have unless dh plays too!)

Told you its a nightmare!

[BuffalotheGruffalo]

I have no idea on presents but wanted to say your house must be crazy crazy at Christmas with 6! Our LO is 2.5 and is 'getting' it a bit this year, I think he's going to have fun opening his presents and handing out pressies to relatives on the day. Not to mention the chocolate....

What about a big box crafty stuff? How big is your garden-How about a trampoline for them all to share?

[StringandGlitter]

If you need a small present or a sharing present I really recommend the game Doble. It says 6 and up on tin but I’ve played it with younger children. It’s like snap except there are lots of pictures on the cards and only one matches. It’s great and because there’s no words you don’t have to be able to read to play.

I regularly get beaten by my goddaughter (and I’m not letting her win on purpose)!

[allthebestkids06]

We have a trampoline 😳....
We have dobble 😳

Sorry i'm not trying to be difficult!

Big box of craft stuff is good idea - 5 yr old will love that and if i put it all in a big plastic box that could pass as the 'big gift' .....i went in smiggle today for some ideas - thanks Buffalo!

Now for faux twinnies.....(who already have everything after having the best fc in the world!)

[fatberg]

Drum kit!

Have you tried looking at the Christmas threads on the Christmas section? They always have loads of ideas, and probably easier than us trying to guess what you don't have 6 of already 😀

[BuffalotheGruffalo]

Glad to have helped 😊 Pop up Pirate is on the list this year for us as well. What about a balance bike each for the twins?

[Alltheusernamesaretaken321]

This might be the naive response from someone with no kids yet but a friend is pondering a mud kitchen to go in the garden for her twins who are around 18 month. Depends how keen youthey are on messy play...

[allthebestkids06]

I like the mud kitchen idea thanks All.....DC school nursery have one and all the school kids love it, I eyed it up for a while over the summer but had completely forgotten...
I have a non-walker so it will be complete carnage of course - but who doesn't love a muddy bottom - and at xmas (18months) they are bound to be walking (hopeful!!!!)

see - I may just be sorted! Thanks guys!

[allthebestkids06]

i've just ordered a mud kitchen....when dh looks at me like this I'm blaming you Alltheusernames

(no idea where to store the thing till xmas of course!)

[Peppaismysaviour]

You could get utensils and tins and plates etc and wrap up in a big box for them to open and then take them outside with their random box of stuff to muddy mayhem!

[Alltheusernamesaretaken321]

Hahahaha! I’m glad the suggestion was useful. You know where to direct DH with a formal complaint!

I’ve worked with kids for 20 years now and I’ve only just found out about mud kitchens! I kind of want one myself 😂

[allthebestkids06]

i've started today on the big box of craft things...I enjoyed pottering about with sequins and glue etc.....and bonus when i asked said 5 yr old on walk to school what do you want for xmas, the answer was 'a glitter glue as mine are all dried up now'

[Rainatnight]

Our local pound shop is brilliant for craft stuff.

[Mintylizzy9]

Yes to the mud kitchen! I got this a few weeks ago from the studio catalogue for 60 quid (I think!) bag of soil mixed with wood shavings (the soft kind for hamster cages) and a watering can plus the pans and utensils that came with it and my 3 year old is like a pig in muck 😁

It came flat packed so easy to store and was simple to put together.

[allthebestkids06]

fab minty! (snap!)

[Mintylizzy9]

it's a bargain! Fairly solid as well. DS is like a bull in a china shop but it's holding up well so far. I got some kids size garden gloves from b and m for the colder days which were a hit.

[mommaabear]

Still not bought my main presents, but got these t-shirts:

1st for my son who is at university, and the other for my husband.

I think they're funny atleast!