What to get an 8yo (DS) and 9yo (DD) who simply don't need any more toys/clothes?

[Flobalob]

Does anyone have any original ideas? They are used to waking up to a pile of presents (that I pick up throughout the year in sales).
I love seeing their little faces when they clock the pressies. They both still believe in Santa (both have SEN) but they simply don't need any more toys......

Annual subs to the local cinema.
Annual magazine sub.
New pjs.
A new boardgame each.

Animal adoption at the local zoo? Usually comes with a small cuddly toy animal and a zoo ticket.

Polaroid camera?

I’m planning on getting fun, usable presents in stocking this year - like bath bombs, stationary etc

A metal detector
A Polaroid camera
A telescope
Arts and crafts stuff
A 3D pen
Something for their room- eg a lava lamp, or I’ve seen some light up individual letters to spell their name
A jewellery box for you daughter

Of all the toys they have already what do they actually play with? If it's toys that you can buy 'add ons' - more Lego/Playmobil/train set bits/doll clothes etc then go for something like that maybe? Doesn't have to be big sets.

All good ideas. Keep them coming! Thanks!

They play "Mums and Dad's". Both have dolls prams and a gazillion babies, dolls clothes toys etc. They have a play kitchen which they turn into a shop or a café.
My DD loves cuddly toys but has them coming out of her ears!
My ds loves Playmobil and Lego (DD will play that with him) but tonnes of the stuff.
My DD is obsessed with fire fighters - has tonnes of vehicles plus a recently new dressing up outfit.
They have lots of books and games but will buy a few books that will interest them.

If they like role play, could you make up a "teacher" pack for both of them? Clipboards "well done" stickers, attendance register books, lanyard, smaller whiteboard and pens.

If you happen to live in or near London then might you consider annual passes to Kidzania? Or even travelling to London as a one off to take them as an 'experience' gift? Just because of what you said about both children enjoying role play type things with cafes, dolls, firefighting: they'd get to do that kind of stuff at Kidzania and it's what my DD is having for Christmas this year instead of toys.

You can get loads of Lego sticker books (The Works is great for that) plus there is always Lego annuals. Stuff for the dolls would be good - even just a little outfit.

We're in the same position, although younger dds (8 and 6). I'm really trying to limit buying pointless toys.

So far I've bought them tickets to Harry Potter studios and that's it. I like the idea of a magazine subscription too.

Dress up clothes
Do they like to cook? You could buy pretty bakeware and a few cake mix packets
CDs?

Animal adoption.

Passes to somewhere.

Start a collection of something.

Lessons in their chosen sport.

I’m all about filling stockings and bulking up present piles with useful things - my mum did it for us and now I do it for my DC.

• pants (always needed because I usually only buy them once a year at Christmas time)
• socks (ditto)
• sellotape (to stop them fighting over it)
• glue (as with the sellotape)
• ream of printer paper (because I’m fed up of going to print something and finding they’ve nicked all the paper - again!)
• pens/pencils (by December their pencil cases are usually pretty depleted)
• books (always either a box-set of fiction books or just a random collection of books they might like, as well as something vaguely educational - like the fun facts books, or a science experiment book, or one of those “easy ways to remember stuff you forgot from school” type books)

Hands down the best present we have got for our DDs (now 8&11) in the last few years was a gift card for the local shopping centre. None of them needed new clothes, but the deal was that they could pick whatever they wanted and I wasn’t allowed to say no. Usually when we buy clothes it’s about needs first and wants after. This was the opposite and they loved it.

DD1 took it VERY seriously - went round every shop and wrote a list of what she liked and then sat down to prioritise things according to how much money she had. She chose really nice things and I was very impressed by her style and sense!

DTs - not so much Some of what they chose was properly hideous but my goodness they loved it and they are still wearing those hideous clothes with pride!

Things which will ultimately be used up.

Stationery.

Plasticine/Air drying clay

Craft kits

Showergel, bubble bath, novelty soap, bath bombs etc. crazy soap is always fun.

Treat foods which only the child is allowed to eat...e.g. 2ltr bottle of fizzy pop, favourite
unhealthy cereal, milkshake straws, cheesestrings, Pringles (basically whatever they always ask for in the supermarket and you always say no to.

Chocolate/sweets including festive novelties.

Spare NERF bullets.

Teacher pack is a fab idea! They like playing teachers. In fact my DS has outgrown his suit jacket and was upset as it meant he couldn't dress up as a teacher so that will go down well!
There are some excellent ideas on here. I'm thinking perhaps zoo membership with a cuddly toy to go with and maybe adoption too.

Plus food like Pringles and milkshake straws would go down well too

DS is into cooking so maybe sending him on a kids cooking course plus gift cards for shopping would go down well.
Brill ideas thanks - keep them coming!

I’ve got my DD8 tickets to a show. I’m also going to make up a big art pack. I think the Wow factor is often in the wrapping. The tickets are to Aladdin, so I am hoping that I can find a lamp to hide “tickets” inside. I will probably put it in a box that I will decorate with “jewels”.

Also with the cooking how about an apron, chefs hat and his own wooden spoon and bowl for baking?

Board games and jigsaws. There are loads of really good new board games out there and it gives you something to do as a family on the day.