Now I need ideas for inlaws!

[hidinginthenightgarden]

MIL came last night. Said she doesn't know what to get the kids so I let her know.
This happens every year and actually some years I have ended up actually buying them myself and her giving us the money because she doesn't shop online so is very limited in where she can purchase toys in our town.
I have really struggled this year to avoid buying stuff they don't need and am actually finished xmas shopping.
Now I ned ideas for MIL and her mum. Kids are 6 & 3.

Rant over!

Clothes?

It's better than her wasting money on tat. Clothes are a good idea. Maybe stationery?

Afternoon Tea gift vouchers for somewhere 'naice'?

She won’t buy clothes.
I tried to suggest a colouring book etc as ds keeps scribbling on pieces of paper he sees lying around. She didn’t seem taken with the idea.

Manchester- she wants ideas of what she can get the kids.

Amy local farms or similar she could get them a membership pass to?

They sound awkward. I'd maybe just accept it might be a duff present this year and try to start towards something that won't take up too much space

Book token then after Xmas they can go and choose their own book. Or WHSmith token as they sell colouring books etc

If they're limited on which shops then I'd stick with things they can get in a big supermarket so:

Colouring set, the kind with pens, paper, scissors etc usually themed around paw patrol or Disney

Lol dolls if you have a girl
Lego/duplicated sets
Toy food for pretend play
Dress up costumes
Nice pj and dressing gown/slippers sets

That should be Duplo sets not duplicated sets

Children’s theatre or pantomime tickets? You could get them for her online, if there isn’t a local one.

Thanks ladies.
Some ideas I can pass on.
They are getting a pass from them but it only costs £50 and they want to spend more. I have said that the cost doesn’t mean anything to kids and it is the thought but they still want to spend more!

In that case I would just tell her you have no more ideas as they don’t need anything else.
She can keep asking, but just repeat above.

If she ends up buying them rubbish, give it to charity.

Sorry, I meant give it to a charity shop as someone will want it.

Money into a child's saving account. The best thing both sets of my grandparents did for me present wise was from when I wa little they out 50% of what they'd give us straight into a savings account. Eighteen years of compound interest made university a lot easier

Ooops sorry... i'd still ask for an 'experience' ... tickets to something as a special treat..

Panto tickets, National trust family pass...

I had my nephews a big craft box for Christmas (see photo). Basically a sturdy plastic box and whatever the works/ supermarket could provide. Is still consumable but has a bit more of a wow factor than a colouring book because it comes in a big box.

I'd go with craft kits of some kind, something they can enjoy doing on a rainy Saturday afternoon and once it's done it's done so doesn't take up permanent space