Ideas for non toy gifts for children

[dancingsnowfairy]

Dd, 4 has so many toys already and as a result so does other dd who will have her first birthday just before Christmas. Will definitely go through and do a bit of a cull before more toys arrive, but just trying to come up with some non toy, useful alternatives. I'm hoping to get the youngest dd a little wheelie bag for when we go away / weekend visits to relatives and ballet uniform for the eldest but any other ideas would be much appreciated!

Books, clothes, a plate and cutlery set. Glow in the dark stars for the ceiling.

My 4yr dd loves getting new cushions and fluffy blankets for her bed, slippers and dressing gowns are also a hit. Oh and she loves battery operated fairy lights for her room!

Another vote for bedding - whatever character/theme DCs are currently into.

Socks or tights in the stocking. I gave one of my ds a new packet of dummies . Hair bands/clips if they have long hair.

Trunki ride on suitcases are really popular. They come in various styles like animals you can sit on but double up as a wheelie case.

The 4 year old might be old enough to appreciate tickets for a day out. Peppa Pig world or a zoo?

I know the weather is not ideal, but if you have a garden there are good deals in the winter on trampolines, swings, slides etc which the girls could share? We bought a trampoline and assembled it on Christmas Eve in the garden for a surprise on Christmas day.

Thank you! Oh yes Flanders, books are an absolute must in this house too bedding ideas are great - they're going on the list.

Blue - that's a great idea. Will hold off just putting new tights and clips in the wardrobe and will save them up for the stocking. Dd loves tights and will be thrilled, especially if she's got to make do with her old ones for a good while yet! Ilost, they're all great ideas too, I'd quite like a trunki for me too!

Dd5 loves sparkly dresses either regular or dress up, or general dressing up costumes. Plus sparkly hair accessories. She also loves her kindle fire for kids. They are reduced to £69.99 on Black Friday.

DD was impressed when she saw a bike with little decorations clipped onto the spokes, so I'm going to look for those for her.

This year I'm considering getting my kids (5 & 8) tickets for something.

I'm loathe to by them a pile of toys they won't play with!

Cinema tickets
lunch box
day out voucher
stationary

My boys always love themed pyjamas & themed bed clothes. Books are also great & my 5 year old has loved getting notepads & pencils / pens since he was in nursery / reception & learning to write.

Kites, sports stuff like tennis rackets, roller skates

My 5 year old was very pleased with a clock for his room and a music player with CD's.

I'm getting DD and her bff matching mermaid blankets (see pic). Also craft stuff, including the things that are always running out like glue sticks and googly eyes. In fact when DD was 5 her main present was box full of crafts bits and pieces, I had a lot of fun putting that together.

Mermaid blanket

I'll try again

A pass for somewhere would need to be a family present mind you bedding went down well when mine were younger. Make your own crafty things dress up clothes you dont need to pad out christmas with loads of parcels i found this out the hard way when we were over run with stuff A thing they want a thing they need and a surprise is the way to do it ime

A special blanket?

CD player and CDs
Sparkly shoes or dresses (Dd loves these)
Craft stuff because it can get used up. I find general stuff better than specific sets so playdoh, glitter, paint, brushes, various kinds of paper and cards, craft scissors, glue, feathers, gems etc
Nice things for their room
Bath toys?
Camera
Accessories for bikes or scooter like streamers, scooter headz, doll seat, spoke decorations
Busy books because they're a book and include small toys that can be easily stored again.

bean bag chair
popcorn maker
my daughter's favourite present ever- an old desk, with shelves and cubby holes, all filled with useful school supplies (maybe better for a 5 year old)

DP's mum suggested craft bits for his various small cousins last year, so we made up little activity packs for them - tiny backpacks (dotcomgiftshop are cheap - he banned me from buying them Cath Kidston ones) and then packs of craft bits from yellowmoon or baker ross - these work best if you are doing craft things for several children because they can be split up and shared across all of them.

DSis and I got a wendy house one Christmas - we were over the moon!

These are all fantastic ideas, thank you so much. Off to have a good google, so much more fun to look for this kind of stuff too I think. Thanks again!

A tent or a wigwam for the garden, a desk or a table and chair for his room?

Swim bag, Swim suit, character towel and goggles?

Coloured baking bowls, utensils and cake toppings.

Packets of seeds and pots for the garden.

New water bottles

Puzzles. I got lovely Galt ones for my 4 year old last year. The Book People had some Galt puzzles for £5 ish last week.

Orchard Tpys have great learning type games for 4 year old

Hair bobbles and hair clips