To hope that Mumsnet will do my Christmas market research for me?

[Unrulysun]

I have a 6 mo dd. I'd like to get her little things she can open at Christmas without going too OTT and a few bits and pieces she can have during the next few months. I'm just a bit shit at finding presents.

All the things she really loves are things I saw at someone else's house. Or a copy of the Guardian which she really likes to eat look at. at the moment her favorite thing is a mirror/smiley sun face/teething/squeaky thing from Boots.

I also thought other people might find some suggestions useful? Or even suggestions of the best places to try that aren't sodding Mothercare.

Boxes inside boxes? Ikea has a little snowman set atm.

Has she got a bangy thing? She'll want to play with that soon. Something like this. Or a shape sorter, or stacking cups, or a stacking ring. If you can bear the noise some musical instruments would no doubt go down well. Things like maracas, a drum, xylophone or shakers.

Good charity shops will often have baby things. I help out in one and people give us some lovely good quality things. I have bought most of my childrens books in charity shops. Get them for about 50p or £1. Massive saving.
Kiddicare are an online babystuff shop, that would be another option if you don't like second hand.

dc will be 9 months at xmas. Have got her books, pjs and handbell/maraca things to put in her stocking and a wheely bug toy and a zylophone from us. Have asked relatives to try and do some clothes/towels along with toys to make it a bit useful.
Very prepared fro her to be far more interested in the wrapping paper!

Babies also seem to go through a stage of pulling things out of boxes,putting them back in, being obsessed with lids,opening and shutting doors/flaps/gates, pushing buttons, banging things together. Things you can find with these features will provide endless entertainment.

Wheely-bugs! The best toy ever IMO. But for little bits, stacking cups are a must and Early Learning Centre do some great odds and ends. Board books (try the proper stories rather than just baby books; more longevity - think Julia Donaldson Gruffalo etc). Anything that makes a good noise (tho DS was terrified of 'rainmakers' for some reason!). Hand puppets (for adult to operate - all DCs seem to adore them!).

Fantastic suggestions - thank-you so much! It's so difficult to see onto the next stage but I can see that the next stage is going to be noisy.

Tbh I know that her idea of heaven is going to be sitting in a big pile of shiny scrunchy paper on Christmas day - just hope she manages to be a little bit appreciative (i.e.look at stuff) for those who need that!

books - good rhyming books that you enjoy reading out loud to her. Fox in Socks, Hop on Pop, Julia McDonald were early faves with us. It's never too early for bedtime stories.

Def stacking cups - IKEA do a great set for a couple of quid. Stacking ring - again IKEA do a nice wooden one.

She's probably a bit young for an Aquadraw mat but she'll def be up for it during the year ahead.

Lift flap books, like where's spot will very soon become very popular if she's anything like my DD. Stacking cups and rings (got mine from sodding mothercare and Tesco respectively). Also agree that charity shops are brilliant.

oooh yes cheeky Dear Zoo too!

Tomy Hide and Squeak eggs, around £6, mine are 3.7 and 23 months and still play with the regularly. Great for putting in the box and taking out again.

dockate My DD was petrified of rainmakers as well. Loved everything else that made a noise but used to scream at this one thing. Odd.

We got our 17mo DD's Christmas present at a wonderful little boutique shop ...er... actually, it was outside a house just up the road from us with a sign on saying "Unwanted. Brand New. Please take home." A really nice little pushchair for her dolly. Was genuinely brand new (still had tags) and fitted perfectly! Great timing as well, as DC2 is due in April!

Possible new thread here: "IABU to get DD's Christmas present for free from the pavement?"