Present for the little girl whose sister who has everything

[RedToothBrush]

My niece will be 11 months old at Christmas. If that wasn't hard enough her parents are loaded and her older sister has everything already (and I do mean everything) so I am very reluctant to buy more toys tat as I think its a) not needed b) won't be appreciated. I found last Christmas pretty gross as the elder sister just had piles and piles of presents she just opened and stuffed to one side with no real interest or appreciation. Her parent's have already said they intend to 'regift' items from the elder daughter to the younger one.

Her elder sister is going through a phase of feeling threatened by her little sister too and is being exceptionally grabby and snatchy. Unfortunately this is being somewhat indulged by her parents so it also can't be something that's going to cause too much jealously for a 3 year old as the younger one will end up with no present otherwise.

I also don't really want to get anything along the lines of 'my 1st christmas' as I think that will tread on the toes of certain other relatives. I have considered a money box, but I think she may already have one.

So far pretty much the only thing that I can think of to get her is a nice personalised book.

I want her to have something that's definitely 'hers' but isn't just bought for the sake of buying a present. Its also further complicated by the fact that I have a birthday to buy for so quickly after Christmas.

I'm really stuck with it. Help!

A nice personalised blanket/dressing gown/teddy/hat for each girl

A nice build a bear teddy and book each

Or pjs, dressing gown, slippers, bubble bath and bedtime story each.

Books, board books and ones for her level/age. Imaginative and creative play things to do with other people, designed for her size.

I can't buy the same thing for each girl unfortunately. It won't go down well as it won't be thought of as buying for each girl as an individual.

They have a library full of books, so books really are out too as I don't know what they already have. And with the personalised book, any more personalised stuff is a bit overkill.

Grr. They are a total nightmare to buy for.

Hmm, this does sound tricky! What sort of budget do you have? Could you give them each a selection box or pair of pyjamas for the immediate opening and a 'token' for a day trip with you (separately) each?

I'd stick with PJs, or something to wear. My little girl has so much (but she is very grateful for everything) and I've asked mum to get her something to wear, in age 3-4 (she'll be 2 and 10 months) at Christmas

I can't buy the same thing for each girl unfortunately. It won't go down well as it won't be thought of as buying for each girl as an individual. I do think that at some point it is OK to draw a line. I love buying presents but their are certain people my DM who just seem to want to find fault in everything.

I finally last Christmas found something utterly perfect, personal and wonderful. She said, "thanks'. Didn't want to make a fuss apparently.

At some point you can just buy something nice, include the receipt and waste no more time, energy or thought on people who are so pernickety.

I would buy some kind of pretty/personalised wooden toy storage box for her, might help with organising the many presents and hand-me-downs.

Pretty iron on and stick on name labels.

a ticket to do something with you? Visit to a pantomime perhaps.

sorry, just realised it was the younger one you were asking for

What about clothing? Thinking something unusual like a dressing up costume or handmade hat rather than more 'standard' clothes though. I know 11 months old aren't the most careful with clothes but she might like something for dressing up, plus if you got just the right size the elder one wouldn't be able to be given it instead, and you could get something related/matching for the birthday soon after.

Do the personalised book! I bought my dd one for her fields Christmas and she adores it still 4 years later. You can buy peppa pigs ones in which you design the illustrations to look like the kid. ypu could include big sister too.

What about a Tidy Books box with some of her own (new) books in?, I think Great Little Trading do something similar. What about a print/picture for her room?

Tickets for something like this?

How about craft stuff/paints/playdough/sticker books, that kind of thing? The sort of thing that gets used up- I have 2 girls and we go through mountains of craft/drawing type stuff so I am always grateful for more.

What about a personalised cup each? The younger one could have one with a spout and the big girl without to make them different.

The parents sound like a nightmare to be honest, I'd be tempted to buy them both an Oxfam goat.

I'd get them what I liked and ignore if the parent's didn't like it! If jealousy is an issue then a present they can have one each of is a great idea, maybe explain this if the parent's are mardy?

Not really age appropriate, but something that will be hers for future years that her sister can not grab....

Necklace

Initial

I was all set on getting clothes after this thread (Thank you!).

I would love to just get whatever I felt however there is a certain tension about presents as DH's sister has been deliberately getting them passive aggressive presents and outright offensive cards (Complaints which are fully justified. In fairness to them they have actually only said no noisy toys which I do think is fair enough as we have done likewise. The problem is more that they have confessed they are struggling to get things for the younger daughter and don't want to get x, y and z for her themselves in passing conversation, so I do feel it inappropriate to do so myself. The fact that the older one has been spoilt so much and last Christmas was total overkill really doesn't help though. They have made a rod for themselves as well as for anyone trying to buy for them. They genuinely are the easiest in the family to deal with believe it or not. Just very well off and unaware).

Now DH has put the veto on getting clothes saying that's what everyone else will get her sigh Like he is going to do any shopping for her. I have to work it out or she'll end up with nothing

The older daughter is easy to buy fortunately. I just can't think of anything age appropriate for the younger one that won't get taken over by the older one.

Can I strangle his whole family now please?

Necklace might be a good idea actually. Will give that a bit more thought and put on the possible list and maybe just buy without consulting DH first this time!

You are making way too much of a drama about this ,just ask the parents what you should buy her or alternatively as its your DHs family get him to deal with it .

Cheers for that gem of wisdom.

I have already asked, and didn't get a terribly helpful response which I've already said. Perhaps you would like to motivate DH for me?

Having spent the past year investing time and effort to get family relations in general back on track for the sake of my son, I'm not going to ditch that because DH hates the difficult to buy for Christmas shopping. It would be cutting my nose off to spite my face.

I just wanted some ideas as MN has been cracking for thinking a bit outside the box before and generally is understanding about Christmas being a diplomatic family drama.

a voucher to go out for tea and cake.

also if the children get that much, would they even notice if you didn't give anything??