Girls aged 6 and 9, Christmas presents but not toys ??

[blueskiespls]

I want to avoid the girls getting masses of toys this year... they spend most of the week with me and DP but also have a home at their dads, so they have so much stuff!

If anyone has ideas ; they really don't need anymore toys, books, clothes. They both have nice bikes, scooter etc. Obviously there will be little stocking fillers, but I'm thinking main present?
Did wonder about magazine subscription or something...
I am so stuck
Tjhanks!!

Get them a subscription where they get something through the post each month (there’s a whole thread about subscriptions somewhere), I’m going to do this for one of my dd’s, she likes to cook so we are going to do a baking one where they send ingredients and a recipe each months.

Our house is over flowing with stuff and now they are getting older they don’t really play with anything other than iPads and art stuff. I’m trying to keep thzings minimal this year.

Have they indicated there is anything they want? We've always done a big main present like bikes, scooters etc but they never ask for anything it's just things I think they should have. Then last Christmas they needed/asked for next to nothing- a rabbit teddy and a calligraphy set and I thought I'm not getting for the sake of it so I didn't, just got them what they wanted plus a few little bits- a small Lego set, board game etc and they were more than happy, then put the money towards a day out.

CD Player, CDs, audio books and disco light? Kindle. Stuff for their rooms?

Are there any musicals in London (or touring to your local theatre) they might like to watch?
The last few years ds and dd have both had tickets for School of rock, Aladdin, cursed child and lion king.
This year dd has asked for Mama Mia or Matilda tickets. I usually get them a copy of the soundtrack to 'wrap' so they get something to open and keep on the day.

I am going for the minimal options his year I think (due to money and also I don't ever go OTT at Xmas)

Love the art subscription idea... and also the theatre tickets plus soundtrack! Great 🤗

@hereandnowtoday the oldest has an Alexa type thing and we are getting DD2 one for birthday next year as they do love their music.

@bogiesaremyonlyfriend they never really ask for things!! Only things like 'A real Unicorn" or to Go to Australia ... yep great thanks girls for your ideas 🙄 😆

THey are all some great things for me to think about Thank you!!

Silly things mine love. New bedding and beach towels or towel ponchos. They love having new ones of these. Useful but they seem to really love them (it's odd to me but they raved about them last year!)

Membership to a place they like visiting. I take mine monthly to a great zoo/play park so we defintely get our monies worth.

Pony Day at local riding stables. Almost a unicorn.

@Ariela almost

The bedding idea I like!! And that has made me think as we camp a lot maybe some camping stuff...

Have started looking at annual membership to places too..

Definitely experiences with maybe small themed gift. Like a popcorn maker (these were less than £10 on amazon recently) and cinema tickets.
Or the theatre/soundtrack idea was good.
Or a national trust pass for family days out with a horrible histories box set of books.
Or shopping day out- give reusable bags and some shop vouchers for places they like.

Christmas bedding? Matalan have their duvet and pillowcase sets in already (usually about £12 for a set) and they do fleece blankets for about £6. Every store seems to do similar now; Next are usually very reasonable as are Wilko.

Tickets to see someone like Little Mix? They did an few afternoon performances on their last tour, so much better than an evening concert for little ones. You could get them some face glitter or a t-shirt to go with it so that they have something to open. Or the CD.

Subscription to a magazine? National Geographic is good.

Something that consists of a basket of stuff? Like a massive craft basket filled with paper, card, envelopes, stickers, pens, lots of different colour pritt sticks, pastels, coloured googly eyes etc. Stuff that maybe is a bit more expensive/varied than what you would usually buy.

Play doh sets always used to go down a treat with my then 6yo, plus a rainbow set of small pots.

Some DVDs, together with a big bag of popcorn/haribo?

A basket of bath stuff? Amazon sell a huge range of fun things for the bath like bath fizzers in loads of different colours that dye the bath water but not your bath, coloured bath foam, bath crackles etc. Good brands for this are Alex Toys, Tinti, Color My Bath, Crazy Soap (but they sell white, pink and blue Crazy Soap in my local Tesco for cheaper - something like £2.50 each). You could bulk it out with bath towels, maybe some new PJs, flannels, sponges etc.

If they like crafts then how about some more grown up crafts? Like a decent art set or a folding easel, maybe paired with a book or dvd to show techniques, and a glossy art book for inspiration.
Or a little sewing machine and a selection of fabrics and good thread (not cheap ones that keep snapping)