To encourage the kids to spend their Xmas money how I feel is more suitable?

[ChocolateCoins19]

Not so much ds he's a teen and will use his towards designer type clothes that I draw a Limit on

The 7 Yr old and nr 2 Yr old had a lot of toy store vouchers.. Haven't fully counted but in region of 200. Plus a bit of cash

The 7byr old got a switch for Xmas and a couple of games but isn't on it loads so no point in spending loads on more games. Plus can download games with some Dow load vouchers

Both younger ones have so many toys. The 7byr old only plays with the same few and despite always wanting stuff when she's saved or been given it. She doesn't play it. She likes to just know it's there.
2 Yr old has far too much its now been divided to GPS houses.

Anyway we got a house this Yr.. 1st garden
I got a few pre owned bits end of summer.. Freebies, play house, ride ons and mini slide

I said to dh maybe encourage them to use vouchers for garden toys.. Goal post, swing ball or whatnot for the older one.
Not so sure about younger one as I know some people have brought for her upcoming 2nd birthday
DH thinks they should choose what they want which I know will be more dolls, ponies etc that will absolutely not get played with.
I said on dry days they can go out in garden wrapped up and they'll have the selection. The garden is big so lots of room for all their things

What on earth would a grown-up want to buy at a toy shop with vouchers?

This grown-up has children who she will, presumably, be buying birthday and Christmas presents for in the future. Not to mention other children in the family, or friends' children, birthday party gifts etc.

I didn't misread the OP, I just didn't think it needed spelling out what the vouchers could be used for.

My dc works in a toy shop plenty adults buy toys for themselves !

Can't stick vouchers in bank.
We've suggested to older one and she's looked online with us on advance. And she likes a couple of outdoor bits, a goal post and swing ball and some indoor bits .

I know when it's toddlers 2nd birthday in few weeks she's got from. GPS, balance bike, scooter, sand pit. Coupe car, next. Size Up Slide and play tunnel set and. Paddling pool.. Theres not much else I can think for her ? And I think that's too much but think the GPS were excited we've got a garden now and don't take No for an answer ?

I have said to 7nyr old. She doesn't have to. Spend it all Today and wait to see If anything she wants in the year. But she still wants to look today.

Saying to buy vouchers back at other gifts for children. I would. If they were small. Amounts but are in multiples of 30/50 and we have no kids to warrant that.
School friends would be a tenner.. And their names are on the cards

No. I don't have form at all for it. The 7 Yr old had 115 vouchers for the same Shop for birthday in Sept . Dh took her. 3 items are still boxed.
We end up a Yr later donating to toy appeals at Xmas.

That was my reasoning for thinking garden as they spend loads of time Out there since we've got the house. Been out there since 9.30 am.
7 Yr old Has a bike and scooter too already as had for Her birthday so no where needing up sizing.

Sorry I see what you meant about buying vouchers back to buy gifts I read that wrong. Sorry

Did you ask for vouchers for them

No I didn't. We have a large family and when they ask I generally have no idea what they need or want and I say no toys. Unless I can think of something ie. If I've brought a kitchen they can contribute to play food etc that they will enjoy. But often they end up With vouchers and it's for a toy store that's 20.miles away as it is which is a pain but the only Place for toys..

For example a great grandparent brought a doll. Cot and doll which is lovely so toddler can put her baby to bed when our baby goes to bed (due this week)
But daid that's less. Money than the other grandkids had so gave a 50 voucher too.

Ds gets vouchers for clothes shops he got over 500 and 100 cash. But as I say he's sensible to a degree and gets clothes etc and doesn't just spend for sake of it. He often waits till summer

When my kids were younger, up to 4, I didn't give them a choice what they did with birthday and christmas money, I just put it straight into their bank accounts for them. The way I see it is they will hopefully thank me when they are older when they have a good amount of money for a car deposit or something. Highly doubt they will remember the random toy they bought and lost interest in quickly.

Now I give them the choice and explain that they can spend some but to also think about what they are buying and if they really need it and will use it, I know from experience how the things they have begged for can be discarded easily. I'm not mean by the way, my kids have more than enough toys etc to last them that they genuinely don't need anything and I struggle with birthday ideas for people who ask and for myself too.
This Christmas they both decided to put £20 into their bank accounts rather than spend it.
As its vouchers though they do need to spend them so you can give them the idea of garden equipment but if they really want something else then I think they should be able to buy it as it was a gift to them.

They do. Have banks that they put pocket money and bits given through Yr to them so they know for cash that's an option.
My main concern is the 7 Yr old who buys stuff and doesn't open it or says I will play that later but doesn't.
So. I've said whatever she chooses she must think carefully as to whether she truly wants it to play with it.

Let them choose what they want - it was given to them for just that!

No one have you the vouchers to choose what you think would be best other wise they would have said so and handed them straight to you.

If you think the kids should have our door equipment - YOU buy it...

Give - not have!

I have brought loads..
I never said force I said. Encourage.
As. I said the 7nyr old Has an our generation horse still Boxed, an out fit for a doll boxed and a barbie set still boxed. Since Sept birthday vouchers.

Before Xmas we found 2 games, 3 puzzles still sealed, 2 barbies and some Accessories, Plus loads of crafts unopened all from 2018s Xmas vouchers . That's really wasteful for the sake of going and choosing items that was all stuff she chose and said she'd play with. It all went to a toy appeal in Dec as when we said are you gonna play with these items she said nah

But I know they will use outdoor stuff and won't be left in boxes.

Everything I've wanted them to have outdoors I've got them new and pre owned. Other stuff would be their choice. That's all I meant

But I've said I'll. Leave to her but she must play with it.

What on earth would a grown-up want to buy at a toy shop with vouchers?
Obviously the garden toys!

Can you bulk-buy birthday presents for friends’ parties for the year to use up some vouchers? So, spend 50 quid on five presents- a tenner each.

I'm way past wanting to play garden toys lol

All. Points taken on board. Thank you.

She sounds over whelmed with stuff next year maybe suggest money or a small gift i would let your 7 year old buy switch games least that the vouchers are spent she doesn't need to be playing with it constantly consoles shoukd last years.

I used to take my Dcs on days out with birthday money so the zoo or whereever kids can get bogged down with things and stuff I believe it isn't healthy for them

I’d wait until the warmer weather and then take them shopping. Steer towards whatever you think is most appropriate. Seven year old will obviously have thoughts and views. A two year old needs you to choose for her.

A garden kitchen is rather nice if they are already getting all the standard sandpits etc.

Your relatives are obviously really generous, if you have too much stuff how about asking for experiences instead?

We've tried suggesting cash in past but apparently that's no effort for a gift from GPS and GGPS but buying a voucher is Making an effort. They mean well and say oh let them Have the world at their feet, they never did etc. Which I understand.

I dread next Yr when we have another baby too..
I've even suggested clothes and pjs if they really feel the need to ' bulk' gifts and spend more. But that's boring aparantly

Yes she is overwhelmed.

I will look. At expiry dates on vouchers as they don't have to All be used today.

Your relatives are obviously really generous, if you have too much stuff how about asking for experiences instead?

This is a great idea

What on earth would a grown up want to buy with toy shop vouchers?

Ummm... Lego? Paints? THAT TRAIN SET THAT SANTA PROMISED ME IN THE SHOPPING CENTRE IN 1985 AND DIDN'T DELIVER? THEY HAD ONE IN THE TOY SHOP RIGHT NEXT TO YOUR GROTTO, SANTA! IN THE WINDOW!!

They sound lovely and I get it they want to spoil them maybe get your thinking cap on for next year

They all have merlin passes from my parents cash from birthday and Xmas etc . And toddler has a peppa World one as I take her regularly when others are at school.
But thinking farms or zoo pass may be an idea in future?

Yes very generous. I think it's because most of the GC are now teens and young adults..
So the excitement of spoiling again so toys and vouchers in the masses pleases them maybe?

@CameraTime.. Mine was a Mr frosty!

Could you buy the vouchers from them, so they have all cash, then use the vouchers towards some garden things and presents for other children in the family/ a stockpile for classmates birthday parties? Then they can have say £50 towards whatever they want, and you can explain that the rest is there for them to either save or if they want something really big such as another games console to wait to buy it for a week/month and if they still want it they can have it? They're still gonna buy crap with the £50 but at least it's a smaller amount of crap?