To not want to get my kids any more toys this year?

[NearlyAutumnNow]

For Christmas….We already have too many toys….the kids (5 and 9) have everything they want and don’t have enough time to play with what they’ve got. Where there are pieces to the toys, they get lost within days. I don’t want to buy any more toys, they just don’t need them. They don’t game or have electronics at this stage. I’m planning to buy new (secondhand) bikes for the kids as they have outgrown their current ones - but what on earth do I do about the presents from FC? Usually they would have a pile of things!! And should I get a few little stocking fillers so they have some things to unwrap in the day (but ultimately will go in the bin probably). Help!! I want to make it magical for them but I’m done with all the crap!

Sports kit maybe?

Are there clothes they would enjoy- with favourite characters on etc?

I don’t think you can really just not have gifts from FC.

Buy a book or a board game.

Bike helmet, bell, high visibility jacket, gloves.
Water bottles,
Stars for the ceiling,
Sticker books for if you go out anywhere and they get bored.
Cooking aprons and bowls to help start cooking.
Hat sets
Bath bombs
Books
Sewing/knitting kuts

Yes books are a great idea and you could all play a board game on Christmas Day/ Boxing Day.

How would you feel about Lego?

Any chance you could sort out toys that don't get played with and donate to make space for some new bits that would get used more? Or even shove some bits in the loft/garage for now and then rotate/donate once you know the wheat from the chaff from their Christmas haul?

I've just had a sort out of my 5 year olds stuff ready for Dec as be has his birthday 2 weeks before Christmas!

Maybe get things that can be added to, like a Playmobil set and others can get some figures to go with it? Or Lego?

Bath stuff like bombs, potions, experiment type kits?

Bits for their room like cool lighting, pictures for the wall etc?

Maybe tickets to something like the zoo or a show?

I get that frustration op but honestly at 5 especially, when they're too young for electronics etc, I'd just try and enjoy the time where they're excited and actually want stuff to play with before they grow out of it.

bike helmets
high viz riding jackets
ingredients and recipes
paints/paper to replenish supplies
torch or sleeping bag or tent
towel or linen
bathers, goggles
sunscreen and bathroom usables
sports gearthat they grow out of each year
ticket to a pantomime
puppy
bird
rug for room
calculator or dumb phone
wrist watch
pack of cards and games information
one large gift to share from Santa - swing/basketball hoop/soccer net/cubby
pickle ball set
Boogie boards
TotemTennis
Pogo Stick

Can you do fun versions of 'boring' normal things?

Themed underwear/socks
Superhero or sparkly shower gel
Bath bombs
Jumpers/coats/shoes/anything they already may need in spring, but in fun colours or designs
Board or card games
Books
Colouring/arts and craft supplies - preferably the kits to do once and then get rid 😬

We tend to do a proper clear out 'to make room for what Santa will bring' - can you do something like that early December and donate them to make space?

For FC presents how about fun versions of things they need and will use, eg underpants with their favourite cartoon characters on or trendy shampoo?

One year I was in your shoes, so we chose a climbing frame and swing combination for the garden, and asked family and friends to give a small contribution to it, if they wanted an idea from us. Some people gave money, some gave clothes and toys as normal. I returned all the unwanted clothes and toys to the shops after Christmas, and took vouchers in exchange (I put them away to use when need for larger size etc). Then I added up the total, and between the actual cash gifts, and the value of the returned things, we had just about enough to cover the garden stuff. Kids used that thing from ages 2 and 4 until they were young teens, so we got loads of use from it. Then when it was no longer needed, our neighbours with young toddlers came and dismantled it to put in their garden. I can see it being used most days, which makes me happy 😀

I'd have a big clear out and tidy up before Christmas.

For stockings I'd go with the 'things they need anyway' approach. You can make it fun by getting character/novelty versions of stuff.

For under the tree:

Books
Craft stuff
Consumables: pens, paper, colouring book, stickers, paint, playdoh, clay, aquabeads, glue, bubbles etc.

For anyone reading with small kids...start modest! You can always add more in, but it's very hard to suddenly cut presents for kids who are used to a mountain of stuff.

Memories not possessions?

A list of "vouchers" A trip to the zoo, going out with Otters, Going to the cinema, going to the car races, going to watch the bikes racing - whatever activities your kids would enjoy, If it's a trip with otters, make the gift an otter with a promise to go in the trip.

Definitely this! Theatre, shows, aquariums, walking alpacas, museums, ice rink, bowling, legoland, aquamarine, etc
Also magazine subscriptions, new bedding...

I think if they like toys they might be disappointed not to get any at all. I'm planning on having a clear out before Christmas to make space but I also get DS things that can go in existing boxes (e.g. toy cars, Lego, playmobil, craft things). Maybe you can mix a few smaller toys in with some non-toys?

Stocking fillers this year include (I think) mango flavours toothpaste I saw in Boots. Am sure it will taste foul but will be fun to try

Perhaps teach them to tidy away better so that bits don’t get lost . This weekend spend a few hours with them sorting out what they no longer want and either bin / sell / charity shop as appropriate to make some space for a few new bits . For Christmas if there is nothing they have asked for - books , Lego , jigsaws , sweets .

We still buy toys for this age but we make sure to pass on the ones they don’t use to other kids/free on Facebook/to charity shops. Then it doesn’t feel like a waste.
other than that, craft stuff, books

Similar here. Mine are getting baking kits, bath bombs, socks and pants, PJs, new oversized hoodies (instead of dressing gowns), stationary, a new book each, new bike helmets, top trumps card game each. In previous years they've enjoyed new character bedding sets, new hats/gloves/coats/cycling jersey/clothes/personalised 'star baker' aprons, new swimming costumes/goggles/hooded towels, new water bottles/cups. Selection boxes, hot chocolate sets, etc. - so either useful stuff or stuff which can be used/eaten etc. over a period of time. They also like Lego, and outdoor activity things, so bikes, roller skates, footballs, tennis rackets, kites, etc

I think the key to buying non toy items is to pick a theme and build a larger present or set of items around it.

Magazine subscription to the Phoenix or similar. Also lots of subscription boxes to choose from like Kiwi which is science and engineering.

Outdoor games like a big badminton set, basketball hoop, swingball, see saw, frisbee, archery set, cricket set.

Baking things are good. For my tween in the past I've bought a chocolate fountain with a big hamper of marshmallows, chocolate, sweets, kebab sticks. Also did a baking hamper with cupcake moulds, decorations, icing bags, cake toppers, recipe book. And a slushie set with a slushie cup you put in the freezer (Argos and Asda sells them) with those syrups you buy at B&M. I put them together in big boxes with cellophane and tissue paper to make them look exciting as a 'set'. You could also do a popcorn machine with those striped popcorn boxes, flavoured sprinkles etc.

Things for their rooms, light boxes, fairy lights, Bluetooth speaker, flashing disco lights, projector, stars that stick on the ceiling, fold out chair bed for sleepovers in each others rooms.

Mini Instax or Polaroid type camera, there are loads of versions some come with a mini black and white printer. For your 5 year old my two loved their VTech Kidizoom cameras at that age. Could include a homemade voucher to take them for a special day out to seaside or countryside for a day of photography together and make up a photo book of your best shots.

A 'sleepover kit' including sleeping bag, a little overnight suitcase or holdall, eye mask, wash bag filled with mini toiletries and new pj to use in Brownie pack holidays, sleepovers or school residential.

Art and craft sets.

Yep this is a problem if kids are used to getting 'piles of things'. And surely your 9 year old doesn't still believe in Santa?
You've had tons of suggestions but I'd also start trimming back the amount of gifts! When they hit their teens the presents will become exponentially more expensive.

I think you are just going to have to have a clear out op.

It’s way too Grinchy to give a five year old vouchers on Christmas morning. I mean five is still really little, but it doesn’t last … The eldest will be a teen before you blink. Just embrace the magic when they are still young enough.

I still remember the birthday when my 'main' present was something I needed for school (for a music group I didn't really care about, not something I was keen on). It was incredibly disappointing - not sure how old I was but old enough to know I had to pretend not to be disappointed and hurt. Still rankles that my mum tended to buy cheap tat (when we were well off) or things she liked (including a subscription to a grown up hobby magazine I had zero interest in and would have been too technical for a child even if I had liked the topic) without considering what I would like. Short version - a high viz jacket is a rubbish gift for a 5 year old.

Yup. This.

Why can’t Father Christmas just bring the stockings? That’s what we have always done and then all the other main presents are from whoever bought them.
I do hear where you are coming from though with more toys. Mine are getting Lego this year as they have way too many other things that don’t get played with. We’ve done one big trip to the charity shops this year and will do another run next week.

I would go for clothes, books, board games and ‘consumables’ ie playdoh, slime, craft sets, paint your own ornaments etc that will all get used up throughout the year. We go through SO much of this, I store it all in a big box in the garage that we dig out a few times per week.