2 Granddaughters - help!

[TheNagsHead]

My Granddaughters are sisters, 1 is 9 and 1 is 4.

For reference in the past I've bought them a kids Kindle each, or expensive clothes, or when they were younger keepsake jewellery (expensive).

Our budget is £150 each but we'll go to more.

When I ask DD what they want she usually reels off a list of the latest toys but they've got lots of family and they're the only Grandchildren on either side so they'll get the toys anyway.

The 9 year old is very bright and fiercely studious, the 4 year old is arty and physical.

I'd like to get them something nice, maybe a telescope for the 9 year old? I'm lost for her little sister. I'll get some small bits too. Any and all ideas appreciated.

Thank you 😊

PS I briefly considered a mobile phone for the 9 year old but I think that should wait for a couple of years.

What about experiences. With that type of budget you could have a really nice trip somewhere suited to their interests. For example a trip to Edinburgh or LEGOLAND or similar. Or a camp they could do on one of the holidays (science camp might suit 9 year old). You sound lovely.

I think you should accept your DD’s advice on what they want as presents, I would not be happy if my parents bought my nine-year-old child a mobile phone. And why spend so much? My parents used to spend a much more modest sum on a gift but would generously save for my son, the money was invested and as a young adult he’s now got a very significant sum which will go towards his first house deposit.

I'm at work now but quickly, we have investments set up for both of them.

Ideas for the 4yo:
One of the large Sylvanian houses, plus a family and lots of furniture to go with it.
Osmo Creative starter set www.johnlewis.com/osmo-creative-starter-kit/p4371542
FurReal Lion King Simba

Ideas for your 9yo:
Interactive globe
Chemistry set
Anki Cosmo Robot
Osmo Genius starter set www.johnlewis.com/osmo-genius-starter-kit/p4371639
Smart Watch
Digital camera

You sound lovely and generous. It might be nice to buy one coveted toy each and then spent the rest of your budget on something really special.

A season pass to a local attraction or family ticket to a show?

What about a block of lessons - piano/gymnastics/swimming etc?

A weekend away or day out with your grand daughters (separately or together)?

I definitely wouldn't thank my mother if she bought my 9 yr old a phone!

I would definitely go with an experience type thing with that kind of money. If they have or will get every type of toy they need or want then they will probably appreciate it more as its something different.

Even better if it's something you can take them to as you get to spend time with them. My DDs aunt takes them out for their birthdays instead of buying them more toys that they don't need and I bet in 20 years time they won't have a clue what they got for their birthdays but they'll remember the days she took them out and spoiled them.

If not I think helping with costs of a hobby would be a great idea as mentioned above. You could book a block of music/tennis/horse riding lessons etc for the older one, swimming for the little one. You could buy a music book/tennis racket/riding helmet/goggles to unwrap and include the voucher for x amount of lessons.

I've asked DD what to get them. She said 'I'm not sure but no more toys or books'.

They both already go riding, 9 yr old does French, gymnastics and plays the flute. 4 yr old does ballet and other dance clubs. So out of school activities are covered.

We do take them to activities, as examples; we recently took DGD1 to the natural history museum with an overnight stay and lots of other treats. We took DGD2 to a child friendly ballet. We have an annual whole family weekend at Center Parcs and take the 4 of them away for a weekend every year.
Sometimes they like to come over just for individual attention and bake or paint or play in the garden.

Birthdays and Christmas aside we don't buy them many presents.
They don't know about their Uni funds and other investments yet.

Buying DGD1 a mobile phone was just a fleeting idea and obviously I would have run it past DD first.
As my post said I think that should wait for a couple of years and I meant it!

It's a different thing, being a Grandparent, our own children were never spoilt but these are our Grandchildren.
It is not our intention to ruin them! We just want to give them presents that will bring them pleasure and that they can use and enjoy.
We don't have to spend that much on them.

Those are really good ideas RiceKrispie22. thank you 😊

Please if anyone has any ideas, particularly for DGD2 then keep posting them.

What about coding toys teaches children the basics of computer programing. The codeapillar is suitable from 3+ and there are a few that are suitable for a 9 year old.

Other ideas for the 9 year old
Karaoke machine
Sewing machine
Camera
Gymnastics balance beam
Echo dot

4 year old
Little easel and art supplies
The sylvanian toys really are lovely they can collect it over the years my Dd is 8 and has a whole village now and still plays with it
Something like this
Not sure how would go down with mum though if she's said no toys

Do they have a trampoline/playhouse/swing set for garden

Dressing up box, with a couple of outfits and lots of accessories.

AN arts and crafts hamper, full of all different crafting materials.

A spacehopper, or pogo stick.

Roller skates.

Named swim bag, with costume, noodle, floats etc and a promise to pay for swimming lessons.

A child centred afternoon tea in London. With, maybe, a stay in a hotel if feasible. I have been to the Alice in Wonderland one, but I think others are available. Sure I have seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory advertised.

I have several grandchildren and would like to spoil them.

But, I think you should let the parents have the pleasure/kudos of buying the main present. You’ve had your time as main gift giver. If you want to gift more, do it subtly, into a special bank account for example, to be gifted on their 21st birthday.

The amazon Alexa is a good idea, my girls just tell her to play whatever song they want. And it had lots of good uses, asking her questions, time, weather, spellings. We now have them in every room and can use them like an intercom. My youngest had one at 7 but even younger is fine.

Is gd1 musical. You say she plays the flute so she possibly is. Would her parents like piano lessons for her? You might have to buy the piano!

Ds’s 1 & 2 learned violin. Ds3 started with piano and then cello. At 18 ds2 realised how useful piano would be for him and started lessons. Now 22, he has learned really quickly but regrets not having started years before. It’s a priceless gift if she is keen and has time to fit it.

Harry Potter studio tour tickets. Family tickets are around £150.

£50 on gift like Lego & then £100 on premium bonds every year till 18 birthday

Merlin pass
Swimming lessons
Music lessons

I'd love it if someone paid for swimming lessons for my children. Even though it's something they already do.

Theatre tickets - have a look at your local theatre for child friendly shows or the pantomime.

Theatre tickets is a great idea.

What about setting up a bike lease thing with somewhere like the bike club?

If the girls could do with new bikes then you pay monthly and when they need the next size up, you return the bike and they send the bigger one. I think the cost over the year would be similar to your budget.

I'd have been chuffed with the thought of not having to buy new bikes every couple of years and with that age gap, passing bikes on would probably mean holding onto one of them for a couple of years at time until the younger caught up size wise.

For oldest - Harry Potter tour, google mini.

Youngest- desk full of craft and art things- I would love this and I'm 51

Depends where you live but what about The nutcraclker or the Snowman or Liion King

Do they have scooters ?

Subscription to a magazine for the year - loads of choice to suit

Zorbing

Get them an activity not more junk for landfill!

Not a smart watch or echo dot without OK-ing it with parents first.

Depending on where they live perhaps an annual pass to a local attraction they love?

Or a decent wooden playhouse for the garden; a 2 storey one that will last through their teens?

Tickets for Disney on ice?

How about riding kit. Both my DDs love having the matching riding tops for their jodhpurs and riding coats. They also have sweatshirts with their name and a picture of a horse. You can find out their favourite horse and choose that colouring for the picture (lots on eBay). Do they have a climbing frame/ swing set. They are very expensive. All other outdoor items such as scooter, bikes, trampoline. Also if you give them money you can get GoHenry cards which are debit cards with their names and pictures on. Think you have to be 6 but would work for the elder one. Mine feel so grown up spending their own money with a card. There is a fee for the card but well within budget.

You also mention having uni funds and investments but presumably that’s for when they grow up. Have you thought of having an account for hobbies/ school trips. In a minute the elder one will have PGL and then senior school it might be sports tours, skiing, world challenge. A fund for those type of trips and any expensive activity they decide to pursue might be welcome if you don’t want to spend money for its sake. Final thought if the elder is studious does she love book shops. Taking her to one as a treat with free choice on what she buys might be something she really enjoys. Especially if followed by afternoon tea or similar.