AIBU to not want to buy my DDs any more crap

[4foxsake]

Ok, so I've got 2 DDs who both have birthdays coming up in the next few weeks (their 7th & 10th). They already have all of the 'big' presents they need (eg bikes, trampoline, swing set etc) and more toys and games than they can possibly play with (we have quite a big family so get quite a lot of stuff from the GPs, Aunts & Uncles etc).

All of the family members who buy them presents always ask us what to get for them and this year I've just no idea what to tell them. I've been poring through the Argos & Smyths catalogues looking for ideas and the thought of just buying more stuff that they don't need or have time to play with (they've still got stuff from Xmas that they haven't got out of their boxes yet) just makes me feel sick. It's just so wasteful. And this is all before we've bought them anything

I did think about asking for money but tbh just getting money when you're 7 (or 10) is a bit shit (also the family members like to buy them something to see them unwrap it). Having a birthday with nothing to unwrap would be shit.

I'm really at a loss for what to get them this year. Has anyone got any ideas for presents for a 7yo & 10yo...?

Tickets to something? Theme park, musical, etc

Something small to open like books, chocolates, cuddly toy.
Then cinema or bowling or swimming vouchers, or club together and zoo membership, or an experience?

i agree tokens is the way forward eg
cinema vouchers
book tokens
season pass to local attraction

or DVDs, equipment for hobby (ballet outfit, brownies uniform, new ice skates etc)

or baking stuff, eg their own mixing bowl, a whole load of sprinkles, icing and icing cutters

Clothes?

Days out - I agree, I hate buying stuff for the sake of it.

Days out ideal. My son received a £15 cineworld voucher for his last birthday, it's better than cash. Doesn't go far in pick n mix though

We have a lovely place locally that does hair and nails for young girls - so an afternoon there

Clothes/trainers

Nice bedlinen/ room accessories

Have you seen the 100 toys website? I find it helpful as it's not a list of must buy fashionable toys, it's more ideas/concepts

I liked craft stuff when they were those ages - gets used up! Days out etc yes brilliant.

The above and/or subscription to a children's magazine perhaps.

Ticket to a musical or 4D cinema film viewing.

Session at go-karting?
Trip to x-scape - snow slope, crazy golf choice of lunch?

Ask them what they would like?

Clothes
Vouchers for activities
Stuff to do with a hobby if they don't have it already
Books or book tokens (no such thing as too many books in my opinion)

Perfect age for concert/musical. I'd have thought.

Have a huge car boot sale too beforehand.

Also at 10 they like Aunt/Nannie taking them on a shopping trip where they tend to pick clothes as their birthday gift

Merlin pass

Zoo/farm/theme park membership?

DD got a trip to see Matilda from us and a go on Go Ape Junior from my parents for her birthday. Both went down very well.

Lego, can be stored compactly and if you keep the instructions and boxes go up in value.
Grimm's 12 piece Rainbow is awesome
Computer software
Horse riding lessons
Nice artwork.

My 7 and 10 year old actually want cash and we are going shopping for the day to visit loads of sports shops no doubt!

A Grimm's rainbow is a great idea. So many things you can do with them. I love ours!

What is the rainbow thing everybody keeps mentioning?

Craft stuff is really good, days out are really good, a nice beanbag and some new books to curl up with.

Stuff for their room - mermaid blanket, beanbags, new duvet covers & rugs

Camping kit? Tent, sleeping bags, cheap rent?

Zookeeper for the day for DD's 10th birthday was awesome (we did Chessington but loads of places do similar).

Thanks for the responses - some good suggestions here.

And yy to the car boot sale if I can drag my arse out of bed on a Sunday morning

My 2 dds ( 9 & 7) have both declared they only want to receive money this year as they want to save up for something 'big' - when a classmate put a fiver in a card for dd1 last year, she thought it the best present ever.
Maybe ask what your dds would like?