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Christmas

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

Original poster

Went to Toys R Us yesterday.........

56 replies

sweetheart · 28/10/2013 11:31

Ds (8) has his birthday early Dec and Xmas coming up so we took him to Toys R Us yesterday to have a look round and see if anything stood out - NOTHING! Not a single bloomin thing looked worth buying Sad

I have no idea what we are going to get him this year and I am loathed to waste money on crap that won't be used.

Can anyone give me any inspiration?

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soontobeslendergirl · 28/10/2013 11:45

What are his interests?

A stunt scooter
Football goals
Swingball
A tablet
3DS
Psvita
Science set/telescope
Construction sets
Art stuff

jamtoast12 · 28/10/2013 11:48

No boys but recently I gave dd (8) an Argos catalogue and told her to cut out what she wants to make a list by the end lf the monthotherwise santa will choose and she may get things she doesn't want! It certainly worked! No one wants it wake up to presents they don't want.

Original poster
sweetheart · 28/10/2013 12:03

He is totally addicted to minecraft! He likes Ben10 but we have relied on that for presents for the last couple of years so he has pretty much all the stuff - and actually he rarely plays with it. He plays Ice hockey rather than football and does need a new pair of skates but that's it. He has a scooter and bike.

He does occasionally sit and make stuff so maybe a top up for his art box.

The argos catalogue is a good idea I may do that. Trouble is I know he will pick things that I think are a waste of money.

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Original poster
sweetheart · 28/10/2013 12:04

He has mentioned a PS Vita but I'm worried about the games being expensive. he already has a ds (which he very rarely uses) an xbox in his room and we have iPads at home which he plays on.

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TeaAndCakeOrDeath · 28/10/2013 12:09

Lego? My niece is 8 and its what she wants for Xmas, that and One Direction stuff!

raisah · 28/10/2013 12:10

Give him vouchers/money and ask everyone else to do the same and then he can get whatever he wants reduced in the sale on Boxing Day. I have never understood why people buy gifts at full price before Xmas for it to be reduced a few weeks later in the sales. It must be irritating for Christmas.

Or give him money to bank and use or save for something else during the year. There is no point in buying for the sake of it and then have the money wasted when the toy is not played with.

Original poster
sweetheart · 28/10/2013 12:22

Tea - thanks, he already has a big box of lego from when dh was a child.

Raisah - whilst I appreciate the idea I do not want to look at ds's face on Christmas morning when Santa has brought him an envelope with money in it Sad

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fuzzpig · 28/10/2013 12:27

I think it's a good thing that he's not running up to everything saying ooh I want this [insert name of plastic tat]!

Although he's got lego already IMO there is no such thing as 'too much' lego :o some new stuff could really boost the collection. You can get little boxes just of doors/windows, roof tiles, wheels etc. Also you can get mine craft lego apparently.

TeaAndCakeOrDeath · 28/10/2013 12:31

What about a gift experience if there is no 'stuff' he wants?

There are some Junior Experience Days by Virgin but sure theres others too...

Littleredsquirrel · 28/10/2013 12:37

DS1 is eight. So far he has

Big red toolbox workbench and full set of tools (these are child sized real tools by the way not toys so its a "do it with dad" present)
big red toolbox tool carrier kit and bird box kit
Skylanders swap force and characters
How to draw Star Wars book
Percy Jackson box set
Star Wars lego jabbas palace
Pjs
Skylanders table mat
NOW CD
Boppit game

Original poster
sweetheart · 28/10/2013 12:38

fuzz pig - I am already on the case with the minecraft lego - I think it's the 1 thing I have seen and thought "ds would like that"

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jamtoast12 · 28/10/2013 12:45

Would he actually use the things you think are a waste of money? I have bought my dds a load of presents which I know are overpriced tatt but its christmas and they will use them.

Though I wouldn't get them if I knew they wouldn't play with them.

E.g glitzi globe set is £20 and reviews say whilst its fab, it'll be over in an hour. I consider it a waste of money but dd will love it, have asked for it so thats what they're getting.

Nothing new releasd this year? eg. New movie or range of toys? E.g. A new lego set that wasn't there last year?

I agree about vouchers and money, I refuse all requests to give kids in the family money!

SpockSmashesScissors · 28/10/2013 13:01

Hexbugs - DS plays with his a lot

Lego is worth getting, DS plays with the mini figures that come with the sets a lot, star wars lego seems to be favourite

DS is getting
Some new footballs
football gloves
football kit
DS game
Xbox game
lego, and more lego
Football/ice hockey table
books
star wars vehicles/men
star wars pods

fuzzpig · 28/10/2013 13:03

Lego board games may also be worth a try? There's Star Wars, hobbit and Harry potter ones as well as normal.

OutragedFromLeeds · 28/10/2013 13:05

I know how annoying it is when people post 'that's a first world problem', but 'My DC doesn't want/need anything from Toys R Us [sad face]'....really?

Gingersnap88 · 28/10/2013 13:09

What about minecraft Lego?

I've seen some minecraft night lights which we will be getting DS (8) for Xmas (shape of a block).

Experiment sets / craft sets?

Accessorises for scooter / bike?

An experience?

It's DSs birthday this week and he mainly wanted spy stuff..! Smile

JoInScotland · 28/10/2013 13:10

How about something totally different? Board games like Scrabble or Chess? Some game compendiums have like 8 games in one nice box/chess board. Those things don't go out of style, and the whole family can enjoy them together.

SunshineAndPeardrops · 28/10/2013 13:41

Knex Light Up Ferris Wheel?
The Guinness Book of World Records?
Bop It Smash?
Rush Hour Game?
Circus stuff like juggling balls, spinning plate and diabolo?
Stunt kite? - Home Bargains sell these for about £4.
Camcorder?

FriskyMare · 28/10/2013 14:01

My 13yo ds has the minecraft lego, lots of teeny weeny pieces. He built it on his birthday and it has remained untouched 6 months later.

SarahPercyAndBill · 28/10/2013 15:46

Um, your child walked into a humongous toy store and couldn't find anything he wanted?

With all due respect, maybe he's got a bit too much stuff already?

What about activity type of gifts? Day out in X or Y, trip to movie of your choice with X number of your friends?

Original poster
sweetheart · 28/10/2013 15:49

No, he picked out a few things but on my judgement they were either not worth the money or would get played with very little hence me saying nothing stood out in my op.

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Latetothematch · 28/10/2013 15:51

My ds has three passions:

Hornby
Scalextric
Lego (only likes City no other sets)

This is great because all price ranges are covered:

Couple of quid budget new people for Hornby
£30 budget new scalextric car
£100 budget new trains

Everything in between.

It is a lot easier if they are into a hobby, that you can purchase bits for. Any of those interest your ds?

Original poster
sweetheart · 28/10/2013 15:55

ummm Hornby, no I don't think he'd like that.
He has a scalextrix that we brought a couple of years ago - it's been used maybe 3 times.
He has lots of lego that has built up from right back when dh was a child. He plays with it occasionally but not often enough to warrant buying any more.

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thistlelicker · 28/10/2013 15:55

Well isnt that u being picky as opposed to him not seeing something you find suitable ?Wink

Original poster
sweetheart · 28/10/2013 15:56

As I said in my op, I don't want to waste money on things I know he won't play with.

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