To feel so much pressure about Christmas and birthday for a 5 yo?!

[Northmumof2]

I am panicking.
Single mum of 10 month old DD and soon to be 5 year old DS.
They turn 5 and 1 within a few weeks of each other

I’m absolutely clueless what to get him?
For either occasion and I’ve done over time this month so I really want to try box it off on this wage.
Any ideas ?

He’s asked for either a tv in his room or a Nintendo switch. Neither of which are happening.
He likes to go on my iPad so I did consider an amazon kids tablet because I read I can limit screen time- but I’ve also heard mixed reviews ?

He loves Lego but it’s so expensive.
I just want him happy and I know at his age he will care more about the amount of things he has to open!

I just want to be able to give them everything they want and sadly I can’t !

Bath toys could be suitable for both of them e.g noisy ones, slides to drop vehicles into the water and soap pens. Or get a cheap small paddling pool and some plastic balls and make a ball pit, or something for outside like a sandpit or slide so they play with it for longer

If you want a few things for your 1 year old to unwrap then clothes could be good if you need to get her some anyway, plus a couple of toys or books from a charity shop.
Second hand is brilliant - I recently sold a playmobil set for £15 that would have cost about £80 new. I think we bought my DD2 one of those baby walker activity centre things for her first birthday for about £5 second hand.
I often put colouring pens, hairbands, tights etc in stockings and try to avoid too many plastic toys unless they've especially asked for something. A satsuma, chocolate coins and mini haribo packs are also cheap.
Mine are 8 and 10 now and neither of them have a TV in their bedroom. We got a console a couple of years ago but it was an old XBox 360 given to us when my Dad upgraded his. They each have an Amazon tablet which is great for holidays but at home they mostly play minecraft on the PC. 5 is a good age to start playing Minecraft in creative mode if you already have a laptop or computer.

For the one year old re wrap some of her stuff, sometimes for mine I re wrap stuff they haven’t used, maybe stuff they have received from birthday parties and forgotten about.

@evilharpy I agree the wii is brilliant for younger kids, and for playing together as a family. They can be picked up really cheaply second hand , and the games too.

Amazon fire tabs are great as you can share kindle libraries for reading too. That and some Lego, bubble guns are fun, cake, balloons, maybe trip out to zoo or just maccy ds even.

One year olds really don't need much. It's the celebration aspect for the adults really! A few bits and bobs and balloons! Meet the family in a nice pub and have Sunday lunch together with a big round of happy birthday and a cake.

Smyths do great knock-off Lego.

I'd avoid the knock off Lego, from experience it is frustrating as smaller children aren't able to fix it together properly.

If you can afford the box off bricks sets pp have mentioned on sale at the moment go for those and you can add more complex sets at a later date. Or look out out for bulk buys second hand. Basic brick sets are so good for imaginative play and you will have a Christmas day of lovely playing together rather than setting up electronics and stressed out arguments over screen time

I think sometimes you just have to have confidence in your own decisions and not worry what others think. As you said you got spoilt with "stuff" as a child but never saw your parents. I'll bet when your children grow up they'll have lovely memories about your time together especially when they start to realise that you did it all on a tiny budget, you may have to put up with a few moans over the years about "all my friends have..." but mine still do that no matter what, I think all kids do. I can afford to buy some of what their friends have but that doesn't mean I will. I don't agree with it and you have to say no sometimes for their own good.

Equating what you had as a child with what you can't provide for your children currently is guilt talking. Dont listen to it, you are going to do a fantastic job your own way and it will mean more than just buying expensive gifts.

I used to worry about what the kids talked about in the playground when back at school but very few 5 year olds take stock of such stuff and so often if you ask small children what their favourite gift was it can be something tiny that cost zilch and they've forgotten the thing you spent a fortune on!

My little boy is really loving these:
www.argos.co.uk/product/7254581

The three puzzles come as a pack - so on the 2 for £15 you can get all 6 puzzles for £15. We got them when he was about 18 months (about 4 months ago) and it has been lovely to see his progress with them. I think they would be just as nice for a girl.

Thanks for the reminders to get bubbles - my eldest used to love bubbles so I'll get some for the little one.

I agree for my bigger boy Nutella(which we won't always get him) and simple sweets like my boy (9 years) likes flying saucers make great stocking fillers.

When he was 5, I got one of my sons a bubble making machine and it was still in use 6 years later when my youngest was born. It was great for rainy days, birthday parties, school holidays etc too! I think it was about £15, but they might be cheaper now. For 5 year olds, bubbles and balloons can be the most exciting thing ever!

Incidentally, one year DS asked for an iPad. We said "No, what about some Milky Bars instead?". He was more than happy!

He was a bit younger than your son, but still, sometimes if you just offer an alternative, they'll go for it!

Just thought I would add if you have an INTU shopping centre nearby a visit to Santa is free and they get a toy (usually playmobil for older and a little cuddly for 1 year olds)