Need inspiration for Christmas presents

[icebearforpresident]

I have 2 girls, age 8 & 10 (or they will be come Xmas) and zero ideas this year. They also both have their birthdays within weeks of Christmas Day, just to complicate matters.

I’m looking for the ‘big’ present, usually spend around £100 each on it although that can be flexible. Both still believe in Santa so he usually gets them a one present (last year it was roller skates with helmets etc) and we get them a ‘big’ present plus some smaller bits.

They already have bikes, a console (between them, not each) and a smaller version of the barbie house.

Any and all suggestions welcome!

They're exactly the same age as my two daughters, it's such a difficult age.

My eldest wants a phone so I'll get her that as now she's in year 6 they're allowed to walk home from school.

The youngest loves dancing around so I'm getting her gymnastics ribbons and pom poms, she had gym mats for her birthday and they were a big success.

I'm also thinking of getting them a jewelry box with a few bits of costume jewelry in, hair accessories, clay beads, a couple of games for their Nintendo Switch and some stationery.

How about a new school bag or lunch bag/box, cute storage boxes for their bedrooms, fluffy throw for their bed, lava lamp (I'm thinking about what mine have already and like!)

One more thing, last year someone bought the youngest a Lottie Brooks book that she really enjoyed and has now got all 4, there is a new one out that I'm getting her for Christmas

Are they at the point now where they can appreciate fun activities as a present rather than just objects to unwrap. Are there any wish list hobby type things for them that would usually be too pricey? E.g. horse riding, where £100 might get you a set of several taster sessions. Or other experience kind of things, like it could be a day out at a coveted theme park, or a kid-friendly makeover/pampering session.

Lots of great ideas, although I admit a phone feels a bit of a ‘too soon’ present for this year (no judgement, honestly, but I don’t even have the walk home from school to take into account, we are literally around the corner).

I like the idea of an ‘experience’ type gift and actually suggested this to my husband. We live close to the ferry over to Belfast so I was thinking a night away, over on the ferry, trip to the zoo and the city and home again, but he thinks they would be disappointed at having to wait for it and the lack of a physical gift, although I would get something to represent the trip away for them to open like an overnight bag or something.

I keep thinking about a Nintendo Switch as a joint gift, but it seems like this could be the last year of being able to get them actual toys, they both still enjoy playing with dolls etc.

I have the same with birthday timings and my DD will be 10 and 12 this year. Until this year there was nothing between them and they always got more or less the same kind of things. This year the 12yo will probably be getting a new phone and hoodies - not sure what else!

10yo still plays with toys eg lego, Sylvanian, LOL but less now so I want to avoid buying any more.

My 10yo DD is very easy to buy for and will be getting this kind of stuff:

• sleepover kit with some makeover stuff, face packs etc, maybe some sleep spray
• cosy things for her bedroom - she's asked for curtains for her bottom bunk and a tent thing for her top bunk (she has it to herself)
• storage stuff for her room - cute mini drawers etc - for all her stationery
• some clothes and accessories for her acro / gymnastics
• photo calendar of our cat as a kitten
• a stuffed toy / squishmallow
• a sleeping bag
• an oodie
• books!
• stationery from Kenji
• anything from Claire's!

We were thinking about a Switch as well but they already spend a lot of time on their Ipads! However it could be a good way of getting them to play together now the eldest has lost interest in toys.

Beginner's microscope
Mini pool table between them?

Electronic dartboard
Potter's wheel (toy/beginner version)
Slack line

Mini pinball
Disco light/karaoke set

Ice skates?