What to get? No toys, clothes or books...

[bebemoojem]

SIL in passing said that she felt overloaded with toys and books for her kids...and then she said 'and we've got so many clothes they don't ever where jammed in their drawers...'

So what does that leave me to get for nephew (5yo) and niece (2yo) for Christmas?

I was thinking maybe a magazine subscription? But is there any magazine that would suit both ages? (I'm not familiar with kids magazines in the UK being from the States) If I were home I'd consider big backyard

Or is there anything else anyone can think of that would suit? abt 15ish per child is what I usually spend. I like to do more educational things.

I'm kinda liking the herby garden/nature idea...I could do a whole family gift perhaps with herb seeds, indoor planter, maybe some sort of nature-y subscription. I had no idea abt the woodland trust etc. that might be fun for the whole family (and give then ideas of things to do occasionally).

tho I'm also thinking movie/cinema vouchers might be nice too in reality (even tho there's the travel bit) Maybe I'll try to quietly see her opinion on that without hopefully blurting it out. It is so expensive to go, and it could be such a nice treat...

If it helps at all we have a 45 minute to an hours drive to the cinema but still go often and would love to receive vouchers. When you live out in the middle of nowhere (like us) you just accept that you have to do that to do anything.

Fun kids bubble bath and those magic flannel things , with a couple of bath toys maybe .

adopt an animal for both of them. even one each. There are some where you get regular updates on how the animal is doing, a little certificate, photos and sometimes a cuddly toy of said animal. I got this when i was little and thought it was great. I saw it as having a pet tiger :D

Fruit tree? My mate had a cherry tree purchased for her and the family, they went down and picked the cherries and made jam, etc with their crop.

You can buy a tree for their garden with a plaque too.

I agree with the day out - what about tickets for a pantomime - and you could join them/or take them? It'll be close enough to Christmas that they'll be excited about it and it will get everyone out of the house for an afternoon.

There are a lot of shows on tour at that time too - Disney on ice, Cbeebies live - perhaps they would appreciate an aftenoon off while you take out the DN's???