What can I buy for DD and DS given we are in the midst of a huge declutter?

[Fruitteatime]

I have a 7 year old DD and a two year old DS, I'm so stuck as to what to buy them! I'm normally finished Christmas shopping (for them) by now but they don't need a thing and experience presents seem a bit pointless this year as who knows if we'll actually be able to go anywhere soon. I need ideas for stocking fillers and main gifts (probably 1 or 2 each). What will you be getting your toddlers and primary age children this year? I need inspiration (that doesn't take up much space ).

7yo:
Kidizoom camera or watch
Tobi watch
Nintendo DS and Nintendogs/animal crossing
Personalised dinner set
Magazine subscription

Stocking:
Hair accessories
Bath fizzers
Hot chocolate stirrers
Stickers
Gel pens
I Spy book
Cupcake cases and sprinkles
Skipping rope
Top trumps cards

2yo:
Pop up play tent
Pop up tunnel
Aqua doodle mat
Piano play mat
Personalised dinner set

Stocking:
Crazy foam soap
Magic expanding face cloth
Bath crayons
Play dough
Finger puppets

2yo might like a Tonies audiobook player?

Craft stuff might be good for the 7yo as it'll get used up.

When mine were smaller I always tended to get stocking fillers that could be packed away with stuff they already owned. So if they had a box if cars they got a couple if new cars, if they had a box of dinosaurs they got another Dinosaur. Then I didn't end up with loads if tat that needed storing somewhere.

7yo a console of some description. Partly to enable contact with friends should we end up with another lockdown.

2yo extras to go with something he already has. Extra train track.

I'm assuming they both have bikes, and scooters. Surely the 7yo has some ideas?

My 6 and 7 year old are getting
-tobi watches
-amazon fire (cheapest version for homework as it's online now so this was extra)
-one is getting teddy bears the older Mario Lego

In the past I got them craft stuff. Hama beads. Hot wheels etc. Agree that they get used up so no storage needed long term.

Books
Mainly food items for the stocking
Or novelty items that replace standard items eg light up animal toothbrushes
Things they need eg duvet sets posters for the wall

Thank you there are some things here I hadn't thought of! I'd totally forgotten I'd bought a balance bike for ds suitable from 18 months as he's quite small so should be perfect for Christmas and 7 year old hasn't had a bike since she outgrew her balance bike. Would a bike for an average sized 7 year old fit in the boot of our estate car? We live in a flat and have no outside storage

I'm not convinced on all the tech stuff, DD is perfectly occupied without it and as for craft stuff we have plenty she doesn't touch. The bookshelf is bursting, the train and car box are also full to the brim. I don't want to get more storage as we would like to get our flat on the market to sell soon as we have really outgrown it.

We have a pop up tunnel, aqua doodle mat, duvet covers, play dough, skipping ropes all of which they share and mag subscription/personalised cutlery set for 7 yr old. They're all great ideas we just already have them!

DD and DS would love some of the bath stuff as suggested. I might get a couple of the character cake making kits too. I think stockings is where I'm stuck as the bikes will probably be the main present if we can work out where to store DDs bike.

Science set for 7 year old ?

Stuff for their rooms, like rugs, night lights, duvet sets, decal stickers, beanbags chairs etc in characters they like.

One of my 9yo's presents this year is an umbrella, to replaces his (actually a bit knackered) Paw Patrol one he's had for 4 years.

And he is getting lights that go on his bike spokes and look cool when in motion (can't describe very well, they were from Primark).

When he was into cars we got him a few different sets of street signs, traffic cones, battery operated traffic lights (from Tiger). Still plays with those.

Craft sets are wasted on him, but he has recently got into sewing

Oh yes science set! Microscope, walkie talkies, binoculars, an explorer's bag to put "street treasures" in (ie bottle tops, pine cones, 2p coins...). We beach comb and he collects plastic stuff to make robots. Also uses a couple of hours' concentration, too.

A 7yo is likely to need a 20" bike sorry I can't see it fitting in the boot without flattening seats. Not to mention how impractical that would be.
What do you do with the bike when you need the boot for the shopping.

Sorry but no I don't think that would work.

People are suggesting tech because it doesn't take up much space.

@Fruitteatime

When I lived in an apartment I hung my bike on the wall. Could you do that?

For the 7yo a hand made voucher book which they can use as they like

• mummy read a book
• daddy read a book
• stay up late (15/30 mins)
• have bubbles/toys in a bath
• choose dinner
• make biscuits
• go for a puddle walk
• go for a dark walk
• play in the rain
• walk to the shop & choose some sweets

Whatever they see as a treat , they live the control of knowing they can hand over the voucher and (within reason) they can have what they want. Even if it's things you'd let them do if they asked! Kids are weird 🤣

I'm mainly thinking of using the boot for when we have people viewing the flat as a short term way of storing it. It's an estate boot so bigger than a hatchback if that makes a difference. We don't use the boot for shopping as I walk to the shops or get an online delivery. I don't think the walls would be strong enough to hold the bike. It'd have to go in the hallway when muddy and stored in bedroom on mats on the floor I think. We really don't have much choice now if we want DD to learn.

Last year's science set was left untouched but maybe it needed to be more exciting! It was a very first science set. Mainly colour changing activities. If anyone can recommend a specific set for a 7 year old I would love to see it. Umbrellas are a perfect idea, DDs is pretty worn out and DS doesn't have one yet. They should fit down the side of the stocking and we will hopefully get a few more bits in but not too many more

Uno for 7 year old (cards, so small)

Make a gingerbread house with 7 year old & then eat it over Xmas hols? It is also a Xmas decoration. Waitrose has reductions on kits recently, Lidl/ Aldi tend to do them.

Fairy lights for bedroom on battery.

Mud kitchen? It does take up space, but it's outdoor space...

For the 7yo a hand made voucher book which they can use as they like

I love doing homemade vouchers. There are lots of templates online. My DC are older so the vouchers have evolved into bank of mum and dad cheques against specific things.