Gift ideas needed for DB foster children

[Megmog2000]

My DB and his partner were recently approved as foster carers and have their first placement which so far seems to be going well, they have been told the children will be with them until at least February.

My DB lives 2 hours away and don't see huge amounts of him but are in regular contact but Christmas is always the one time we get together, this year, we were supposed to be going to see him on Boxing Day but now the foster children are here, plans have changed and DB feels it will be best to come to us instead (am cool with this). As a family we'll all be exchanging gifts and don't want the new additions left out in any way.

So, my question is, what do you get gift wise for a 10 year old girl and 11 year old boy for Christmas. Budget around £15-£20, and must be age appropriate. No idea what interests them, neither does DB who has only had them since last Thursday. My children are all teenagers and 10 and 11 seems like a lifetime ago,

Thanks for any suggestions.

It would certainly help if you knew a little bit about them....

My first thought is tickets for them and their new foster parents to the pantomime or children's show at the local theatre. They might welcome a couple of hours distraction.

Otherwise, how about bright new pencil cases packed full of the usual stuff, drawing pads, etc?

It's hard to suggest books - they might be bookworms and longing to escape into a book but they might not....

Other people will be able to advise on the suitability of jewellery and clothes......

I do hope the children will be able to relax enough to enjoy Christmas - it must be difficult for them.

How about a small hamper/ box each? Pop some nice shower gel/ bubble bath in, drawing pad, loads of sweets and fun size chocolate bars, a mug, perhaps a couple of cheap stocking filler type items, socks etc.
All quite generic and inoffensive but clearly shows you have made an effort as thought of them. DHs DS &DiL foster and we always include their foster children as you are doing but it can be difficult to hit the right mark

Pjs, selection box ?

Its such a tough age isn't it? Some 10 and 11 year olds would still be loving toys like Lego etc, whilst others would think themselves too grown up for toys and prefer something to do with a hobby.

I'd maybe go with chocolate and a family movie type DVD or board game/puzzles. Also loving Bob's hamper idea. I love book presents but it would be so hard to pick something good when you don't know the recipient well (and even then its hard!).

I'm sure there must not be a good time of year to find yourself in foster care or with a new family, but it must be hard over Christmas. Well done for wanting to include them in the festivities. Maybe in a few more days your DB will have more suggestions about what their interests might be?

Yes, I was going to add that at 10 and 11 they won't think of themselves as "little" - so beware of anything too babyish.

Could you perhaps get something little that you can all take part in? DS, DH and DSDad all have a small sail boat in their stockings so they can race them down the stream outside our house while I drink Baileys cook dinner.
You can get crackers with racing sprouts and other things in which might be a bit of fun.

Vouchers, perhaps, so they can choose something themselves?
Otherwise I think the hamper idea is lovely.

I think if I was in foster care I would love something which belonged just to me. Something I could take with me when I moved on.

How about a nice watch each.

I bought one of those small remote control helicopter things for an 11 year old recently. He seemed to like it and it cost about £15 from Debenhams.

My friend who has daughters round that age recently asked for stuff from LUSH for them as apparently they love it. In the end, as well as getting the Lush stuff I cought them a kit from WHSmith where they can make their own bath bombs - seemed like fun. The Lush stuff might be safer though - I am not sure how explosive the bath bomb making stuff could be.

Thanks for all of your suggestions, definitely helpful. Love the hamper idea.

I hope that these 2 youngsters enjoy their Christmas, we'll all certainly try and make it a good one for them.