All the threads about Xmas presents are making me panic!

[nymphadora]

I have no ideas what to get dds this year.

Dh always wants dvds and have pre-ordered some stuff for him.

Baby should be easy - new clothes & baby toys for the next year.

But am stuck on dds. DD2 has just had her birthday and it was really difficult finding something she really wanted. She picked 1/2 the argo catologue but not much that she was bothered about IYSWIM. I'll get her some Dr Who figures but no idea what else. She is even over run with books now she has moved onto dd1s.Stocking fillers are ok cos she is into puppy(etc) in my pocket but I dont want any more dolls(etc) houses.

dd1 has her bday before Xmas and she wants a dvd. She is getting into clothes so that should be easy but no other ideas.

I can't stand the thought of filling the house any more.Every available space is book shelves even after our major pre-baby clear out!We collect a lot of specific books so its not just trashy stuff and reluctant to get rid IYSWIM.

I also feel that last year a lot was wasted as they've hardly touched it.

don't get stuff then!

seriously.... put a lump of money in their bank accounts, and let them just have presents other people have bought them. they won't know, they won't care... as long as they have some pressies!

buy them a couple of little things, new PJ's or something like that...

how about tickets somewhere, theme park or water world type place?

Id bulk a dvd out with a bag of popcorn some choc, a special drink, make it a 'movie night' or something.

Some highstreet vouchers and a note saying girlie shopping trip with mom and a poshish lunch somewhere for some 1-2-1 time.

Season ticket to soft play?

A horse riding lesson?

trying to think of ideas that dont make any clutter

It is only September!! Don't even think about it yet!

They get money of lots of family as it is(which I just bank). We don't do theme parks etc (none anywhere near anyway) and their Dad buys theatre tickets every year. Stuff like that will be more difficult with dc3 too.

I gave dd1 hot choc stuff last year so will do that again (sweets & choc go down well- should have seen the excitement over 10 pack of polos )

I've been trying to think of voucher type things.Can't think of anything special though.My Mam gets them magazine subscriptions.

Too many family I think, taking all the easiest ideas!

Pieces-DC3 is due next month and I'll be on mat pay so want to spread the cost. Also won't be driving/mobile soon.

Forgot to say they will be 9 & 11 at Christmas but still do Santa!

OK-I can see that it is a good idea to be prepared. I am going to wait until at least November.

Ice-skating lessons. A beginner's course that'll start next year?

Season ticket for the cinema?

Its just having had dd2s birthday and the amount of stuff she got (hoping to send some to her Dads house this weekend though)I don't know where to put it all.

Do they go to the hairdressers at all? could you turn that into a treat day with you perhaps? get their nails painted too and a trip to the coffee shop all grown up for a latte? maybe thats a bit naff My DD is only 2 but these are all things ive got in mind for when she is older - sad i know but i love it

At their ages they ill stil ned to see 'stuff' to get any effect i spose, how about a big baking hamper for the two of them, cookie cutters, aprons, rolling pin, some basic instructions for cookies, cakes, sweets etc, maybe a few muffin in a jar mixes? You can get the silicon bakeware in really funky colours and i saw some in the pound shop recently!

Maybe the same kind of thing but with craft things? make it special items they dont normally use with normal drawing things, maybe a scrap book with it and get them started on a little project? family tree type thing or something?

it's fine giving them money even if other people do though

they're old enough to realise that money can get them GOOD stuff if they save enough lol

there's no point buying things just for the sake of it

why don't you ask if there is anything they'd really, really like. if not then say you'll give them money and then you can go shopping after christmas or something with ALL the money they get?

garden stuff?

some storage furniture to store the stuff they got already

They don't spend much when they have money. Dd1 saves her pocket money as she doesn't buy stuff. She will spend 30 mins choosing a packet of sweets so money tends to get banked.

Cooking stuff is good idea, dd1 is cooking meals ATM so some equipment might go down well ( dh would like some too actually).

This may be way off the mark, but if there really is nothing else, how about a party? explai to them that as they cant decide on anything they'y really like, you've spoke to santa and they can have a party with their friends instead, make it christmas themed activities, christmas music, make decorations, dress the tree maybe? have a mini christmas dinner and loads of treats.

just an idea

even better then! give them m oney and let them save it

i honestly think there is no value in buying just for the sake of it. give them some cash to spend if they like. if they want to save it that's great too

i am sure they'll have plenty of other stuff

I have just had a feeling of déjà vu about this thread & I think I posted it last year too

one more, a cuddley toy animal with tickets to a safari park/zoo