Inspiration for 20 month old DS3's 'big present' please.

[notso]

Thanks to the Christmas bargain thread my shopping is well under way. However am stumped for what to get DS3. There is only 16 months between him and DS2 so it seems like he already has everything.
We have trikes and ride-ons, a kitchen, loads of Happyland, Cars, a dolls pram, a million VTech 'learning' type toys and we don't have much of a garden at the moment so can't get a swing or anything.
He loves little people so have bought him the Happyland round the world set, some of the ELC Toybox characters and the Happyland boat for the bath.
Any suggestions please!

ELC have some lovely musical toys :)

Oops... most of them say 3+

thanks milk we have a piano and a large selection of saucepans not sure my ears can take much more anyway!

A garage?

Does he need anything big? Just put all his samll bits in a BIG box :)

Wooden train set?

He probably doesn't need anything else, soontobeslendergirl especially as We have a large family and lot's of friends giving gifts too.
It's just me feeling he's getting short changed because if I use the Toybox people for his stocking then that's only two presents from FCC. I like to try and get them all the same amount of things.
Maybe I should be looking for small items to bulk it up rather than a bigger item.

Would a tent be suitable, or one of those cardboard play houses you can fold up when not in use. A tunnel could be good as well, they are loads of fun and fold up flat.

A ball pool if you have the space.

Argos do pull along wagons themed to various characters, would he like pulling his toys round the house?

If he likes little people would he like some sort of dolls house for them?

I know what you mean notso - I have 2 boys 13 months apart who like the same things - it's easier now that they are older, but it was difficult to get things when they were younger without having masses of the same stuff.

If it helps you to keep it equal, put the extra cash you would have spent away for when they are a bit older and they need something big like a laptop or something.

This is going to be controversial but does he need a big present? My DS will be 19 months at xmas and unless he has a brain transplant between now and then I can't see him noticing that he only has a few small token gifts!

It is hard isn't it? For DD i bought her a dollshouse last Christmas as an equivalent present to the kitchen that DS was given at the same age. I agree with heidihole that small ones won't really notice how their presents stack up, but their elder siblings might. So e.g. we had a small birthday tea for DD when she was 1 as much to demonstrate to her big brother that he wasn't the only one to have parties etc.

Indoor tents are cool and would get lots of use. Books and clothes are good to bulk out presents. I do try and give presents they need and things I would probably buy even if it weren't Christmas - it keeps spending down and keeps the present pile looking substantial! e.g. last year both my children received face flannels in their stocking from FC and a magazine and I nearly always include stationery/consumable craft stuff like chunky pencils, drawing pads, stickers.

I was just about to suggest the happy land boat but you already have it :)

I have 18 months between DD and DS.

DS will be 2 in Nov and I've got him

Scooter
Little Tikes music set
Duplo fire station set
Wooden train set
Brio battery operated train

Thanks all! Have just updated my Christmas Spreadsheet (yes I'm that sad ) and seen he also has a VTech house I bought for £7 in July so feel a bit better. Someone on another thread suggested a box filled with balloons as a good filler, I am going to do that too we have some helium left from DS1's party.
moosy did you get a bargain on the duplo fire station? I know you are good at finding them, it would be great for my nephew.

Asda have the Fire station for £15 - that looks a good deal:

direct.asda.com/LEGO-Duplo---Fire-Station---6138/000766992,default,pd.html&cmpid=ppc--ad-pla--ggle-pla--Toys-and-Games--000766992&cm_mmc=ad-ppc--ggle-pla--Toys-and-Games-_-000766992&istCompanyId=71f4ae42-94c5-4821-aa58-05eff6da2486&istItemId=qxrpqrmm&istBid=tztx

or Argos have the bigger one at £34

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3973787.htm?CMPID=GS001&_$ja=cgid:11019989910|tsid:41361|cid:119348070|lid:47688324750|nw:g|crid:29855899110|rnd:78529967218496791|dvc:c|adp:1o1

Thanks soontobeslendergirl

My DS was 2 last Christmas (just!) and he got a play kitchen from GLTC here

He also got play food, pots and pans and a mini Tesco bag filled with pretend food. He still plays with all this daily, and he is 3 next week.

A real hit

You say you have trikes and ride-ons but does he have a balance bike?

We have the Ikea kitchen ziggies it was his 1st birthday present although I love that red one!
We don't have a balance bike NotintheMiddle I thought they were for bigger children to be honest.

A tool bench? Either the IKEA one, or the less tasteful but very much loved in this house bosch one!

For DD at 18 months we got an easel with magnetic white board and blackboard, which takes a roll of paper too.

We got her whiteboard markers, paint and chalk and then some magnetic letters, numbers and animals. Also got an apron and floor mat. So some stuff to use straight away, some to grow into.

Some makes of balance bike are for children as small as 18 months (Puky and Strider) Best thing we ever bought ds3.

notso the duplo firestation was £22 on Amazon (when Argos had their 3 for 2 promo).

You can pick up Playmobile 123 stuff on eBay, if he likes people. DS loved his farm and hospital sets last Xmas, he was 18mo.

Sticklebricks are a good big present and not too expensive.

DS2 is a similar age but will probably get clothes from Father Christmas as he plays with his brothers things mainly, useful and great for padding

More great suggestions everyone.
I really like the look of the Playmobile 123 had never heard of it before now.