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Original poster

Nightmare re 6 yr-old DD. Thought I was finished...

40 replies

sleepymother · 03/12/2013 10:10

I'm having that experience, for real, that I sometimes have a nightmare about - that I've forgotten to get my daughter a Christmas present! I have got stocking presents, and a 'Trixie skateboarding pup' from Father Christmas (not what I would normally consider, but...) but I've just realised that we haven't got anything for her from us. She has expressed an interest in several plasticky princessy fairy things (note to self: stop her watching tv with adverts...) but I'd like to get her something nicer, and maybe more lasting. She's quite a clever girl, with a good reading age for her age (oh, I've got several books for her stocking) but she's kind of innocent - she isn't in to iPods or tablets or One Direction etc. I'm thinking about art materials, but could do with some inspiration. Thanks! Smile

OP posts:
TheOneWithTheHair · 03/12/2013 10:14

Wilkinson's do blank canvases and oil paints/water colours and artists brushes. Could you put together a set for her that's a little more grown up so it feels a bit special.

You could then hang the canvas's on her wall. Dd loved this kind of present.

fuzzpig · 03/12/2013 10:24

How about playmobil? My DD's 6 too and her main (in fact only, as everything else is either Santa or funded by grandparents) gift is the playmobil swimming pool. Fulfils the plastic desire but isn't tat IYSWIM? Or there are some more princessy playmobil things I think, might be a happy medium?

fuzzpig · 03/12/2013 10:25

Oh actually we will be doing a big box of art stuff too - I've already got a load of those 'really useful boxes' which I'll fill with those packs of foam, fake jewels, sequins, glitter, feathers etc

Original poster
sleepymother · 03/12/2013 10:26

Yes, that's the sort of thing I'm thinking - thanks. Just came across the djeco stuff online. Looks nice, but I've never had the chance to look at it in the flesh. I was thinking about some nice brushes and paints (maybe some watercolour crayons, or something) and some good quality paper (or canvas - hadn't thought of that), and/or maybe a sketchbook.
I think this will go down well, but I'm a bit stuck in that feeling that there is a really great, sure-fire success idea deep down in my brain somewhere, if only I could access it!

OP posts:
Original poster
sleepymother · 03/12/2013 10:29

Thanks fuzzpig - your messages came in while I was answering TheOneWiththeHair.
Playmobil - this is an interesting one. I'm really not sure about that - my younger daughter (4) likes 'small world' toys (like Sylvanian' etc) but we've never had Playmobil. I wondered if it looked too young for a 6 year-old, but lots of people seem to swear by it.

OP posts:
fuzzpig · 03/12/2013 10:35

You're welcome :) Just make sure you get regular playmobil not the '1-2-3' range which is for toddlers.

fuzzpig · 03/12/2013 10:35

(If you go for playmobil, that is - I'm not THAT bossy honest :o)

TheOneWithTheHair · 03/12/2013 10:49

Just remembered a great idea. Got this for dd last year and she's used it loads. Art and plastic tat!

SweetApril · 03/12/2013 10:50

IME Djeco stuff is lovely, very good quality. For arts and crafts stuff also try The Range. They have a massive selection - a healthy mixture of cheap tat and good quality! They are online too but much more fun if you can get to a store in person cos it's an absolute treasure trove.

Or if she likes princessy type stuff, how about a musical jewellery box with a ballerina dancing inside? My mum bought my DD one for her 6th birthday and she absolutely loved it. I can tell it's really very special to her but it would never have occured to me to buy anything like that!

LunaticFringe · 03/12/2013 10:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fuzzpig · 03/12/2013 10:54

We don't have a Range here but we do have The Works, they have lots of nice art stuff like canvases, different types of paint etc. I got DD some oil pastels for her 6th birthday as she had enjoyed using them in school.

marzipanned · 03/12/2013 10:54

At this age my parents gave me a really beautiful painted wooden box with lots of drawers for all my prized possessions (in my case - probably some leaves and a photo of the cat). It also played a tune when you opened the lid. I don't think they put anything inside it for me but you could get something similar and put her art supplies in it, or just a couple of sparkly plastic-y things... :)

fuzzpig · 03/12/2013 10:56

Ooh lunatic is that the one that has a shop in the lanes? I had no idea there was an online version.

You may have just cost me a fortune.

:o

ifink · 03/12/2013 10:56

Hi OP, my 6yr old DD is getting the pretend school (Amazon). I'm adding to it with an attendance register and some reward stickers and getting her little brother a separate whiteboard and markers to be the 'assistant teacher' She also will get a bit of art/craft stuff from Djeco too. HTH

Merrylegs · 03/12/2013 11:00

How about some decopatch from Hobbycraft? You can buy really pretty paper (to satisy the fairy wishes), decopatch glue and some plain papier mache animals to decorate. It's such an easy, satisfying craft. Dd got some for her birthday and it's one of our favourite things to do together. You could make a hamper with choices of paper, glue, brush and a few animals.

Original poster
sleepymother · 03/12/2013 11:11

These messages are gold dust! Thank you Grin off to waste more 'working at home day' time on internet

OP posts:
jamtoast12 · 03/12/2013 11:14

I'd also recommend the pretend school. My dds aged 8&6 have played with it constantly for a year and this year I've added extra bits, registers, chalk board etc. all their friends now getting them. Been the most successful present yet. I'd also recommend lego friends.

fuzzpig · 03/12/2013 11:23

I'm really tempted by that pretend school set!

NorkilyChallenged · 03/12/2013 11:26

what is the pretend school? is it playmobil or something else?

also have a 6 year old dd to buy for

fuzzpig · 03/12/2013 11:28

Could it be this one

LunaticFringe · 03/12/2013 11:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NoComet · 03/12/2013 11:34

My 12y(Y8) still has a sneaky playmobil fix when no ones looking.

She was also greatly into playing schools, with playmobil people, toys and the poor girl next door.

DD2 wants to be a teacher and can be a bit (lot) bossy.

Only one word of warning, white board pen doesn't come off fabric.

Neither does acrylic paint if you are after art stuff.

Anja1Cam · 03/12/2013 11:38

Oh no, I thought I had finished too, but that school looks just perfect for my 6 year old...
frantically rearranges presents list...
Xmas Smile

NorkilyChallenged · 03/12/2013 11:51

oh thank you fuzzball! that does look great for my middle one who is always playing school, though it's a bit more Monet than I was hoping to spend... tempted though - thank you!

fruitcorner · 03/12/2013 14:33

Don't forget that you can make your own school set up that's bigger than the ready made ones. My girls love playing with easel that has whiteboard on one side and I bought lots of reward/"star of the day" certificates, stickers, landyard and id card marked "staff" etc from amazon to make my own teacher's set