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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

£30ish presents for 3 & 5yr old DSs - help??!!?

32 replies

strongblackcoffee · 05/12/2010 08:28

I have bought them a starter box of lego as a joint present, and will get a few books as well. But I am really stuck on something else to have as their 'main' individual presents. I'm trying to come up with something around £25/30 that looks quite impressive to open.

DS1 (5) really into active, sporty things, loves cars, Batman/Ben 10/Pokemon all the usuals, typical predictable boy stuff really.

DS2 (3) similar, but also loves music, drawing, taking things a bit slower.

They have bikes and scooters already. I was wondering about remote controlled dinosaurs or something like that. But not remote controlled cars, we already have one of those that lies around with flat batteries all year... Any suggestions would be a massive help!! Thanks

OP posts:
iamnotreallysure · 05/12/2010 08:42

Not sure this is on the same wavelength you are thinking but - a biggish (wrapped) box containing individually wrapped small presents - hotwheels / toy cars, pens, crayons / felt tips / chalks, note pads, toy soldiers, novelties from HarpersBazaar, small packs of sweets etc.

our DC's get this from their grandparents plus a larger present each year - the larger present (like your remote controlled car) have a short life whilst the box of 'goodies' leads to endless inventive and creative games for the whle year or more.

The fun for our DC's is in the unwrapping and the simple games.

healthyElfy · 05/12/2010 10:22

A ukelale and a guitar each?

Original poster
strongblackcoffee · 05/12/2010 10:44

oooh thanks, they're both really good ideas, I'll have a look into the instruments. They do have stockings as well, so they tend to get those sort of little bits in those, but that is a good idea to have a big box full of things.

We seem to have endless presents from relatives with huge battery requirements and very short life spans... Hmm Lovely that they buy things for the kids, but my heart does sink when I see another 8xAA required!! My mum asked if I thought they'd like remote controlled cars for xmas this year, I had to be very diplomatic...

OP posts:
TheHouseofMirth · 05/12/2010 11:01

Maybe a marble run or a bit over budget but Darda cars are very good.

What about a baby grand for DD?

colditz · 05/12/2010 11:05

I have bought this for 4 and 7 year old boys Ds1 is a tad young for his age.

colditz · 05/12/2010 11:07

I wouldnm't bother with a remote ocntrolled ANYTHING, they cause fights.

Original poster
strongblackcoffee · 05/12/2010 11:54

Both those marble run things look great but they got an elc marble run last xmas. That's the thing I find really hard - they just seem to have so much stuff already. And again with the cars tracks, although they love them, they've got a couple of other hotwheels ones from previous birthdays. They love them, but I just feel like we're stacking up endless versions of the same toys Wink

OP posts:
TheHouseofMirth · 05/12/2010 12:11

I feel your pain strongblackcoffee. We're not even bothering with "main" presents this year because of that. Luckily at 5.5 and 2 years old my DSs aren't old enough to be aware of that kind of thing.

colditz · 05/12/2010 12:32

how about a road rug?

Original poster
strongblackcoffee · 05/12/2010 13:20

road rug - great idea, but again we've already got one somewhere (stashed in loft due to extreme grubbiness..!). It's ridiculous!!

OP posts:
TheUnmentioned · 05/12/2010 13:24

Imaginext stuff, ds (4) loves it.

space shuttle

They are 3 for 2 in Argos too it seems. They are pretty hardy too.

TheUnmentioned · 05/12/2010 13:26

There's also the boat thingy which I just bloody paid forty quid for which is MASSIVE and reduced to £22 here

TheUnmentioned · 05/12/2010 13:29

This looks quite sweet, very twee but it is a doll's hosue so its meant to be!

TheUnmentioned · 05/12/2010 13:30

A big aquadraw for dd?

TheUnmentioned · 05/12/2010 14:05

sorry, dont know where i got yyour dd from!!!

Original poster
strongblackcoffee · 05/12/2010 22:12

GrinGrinGrin

I love that doll's house!! The idea of DS1's face opening the wrapping on christmas morning is priceless Grin

(he is currently of the opinion that there is a different world occupied by boys to the pink one that girls live in... I won't get worked up right now, that's another whole thread... but very funny in the context of the dolls' house)

OP posts:
Original poster
strongblackcoffee · 05/12/2010 22:14

Hmmmm aquadraw is not a bad idea. We did have one a few years ago, but that was quite a while ago...

OP posts:
5ElvesMooningSanta · 05/12/2010 22:14

I second the imaginex stuff, it is great, really sturdy and has lots of hidden extras.

charlieandlola · 05/12/2010 22:18

playmobil pirate chest or playmobil football

stomp rocket

swingball

marble run

scalextrix

Original poster
strongblackcoffee · 05/12/2010 22:19

Yes, I'm just looking properly at the imaginex stuff, it looks great. (aquadraw seems to be marketed at pre-schoolers, so not ideal after all... sigh...)

OP posts:
Waswondering · 05/12/2010 22:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dexterrocks · 05/12/2010 22:26

The imaginex series has a Batman set - I saw one in Toys'r'us. My ds is 6 and still enjoys his space shuttle.

vicbar · 05/12/2010 22:28

We got our 4 DS a playmobil pirate ship from Tesco for £25. We thought we could then add to it at bday's etc.

Original poster
strongblackcoffee · 05/12/2010 22:54
OP posts:
Dexterrocks · 05/12/2010 23:02

this

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