Presents when overflowing with toys

[JeVoudrais]

What do you suggest when people ask what to get your DC for Christmas, when your cupboards are overflowing with toys they've not even grown into yet? It feels so wasteful to have even more stuff accumulate.

And why do people insist on buying massive presents for children so small they won't even understand, I don't get it!

Clothes. A lovely top, some funky soks or a nice outfit if DC sre younger.

Usually works well in our family. Grated, DC are not always keen, but at least I know it does get used. Unlike the gazillions of toys that they didn't even ask for.

I used to ask for cinema vouchers. Dc loved them from very young, and even now as teenagers/young adults they still love them. Going to cinema when someone else pays is always better. As dc got older some people switched to buying them theme park tickets.

What about one of those tonies things - a music/stereo box - you collect the figures on top - all recognisable characters which play song sand read stories?

Last year was my DDs first Christmas and we were completely overwhelmed with toys, it took us about a week to open them all. This year me and DH are giving her a Toniebox and if anyone asks for gift ideas we will suggest a Tonie to build a little collection. Nice and small too.
And books, books are great!

I usually ask for clothes, pjs, books, jigsaws, playdoh, Schleich animals, or Duplo. My DC are 1 and 2.

We have a one year old who will be one and a half at Christmas. We have asked for - more music tonies for her tonie box, a kitchen helper tower, more of the really beautiful cloth bound penguin/puffin classics, more duplo building blocks. We are getting a toy kitchen.

@twinningatlife

What about one of those tonies things - a music/stereo box - you collect the figures on top - all recognisable characters which play song sand read stories?

Such a waste of money. I bought them for my nephew, so expensive for 15 songs. An Alexa and spotify would be cheaper and give you tons more music and stories.

@AdriannaP a one year old can’t use an Alexa though. My one year old loves her tonie box, she can picks which songs she wants and operates it herself.

Thanks for the feedback on The tonies I've been too-ing and fro-ing about getting one for 5 year old but maybe it's a bit young for her

How about specific clothes though? Eg an SPF swimsuit for next summer. Wellies in next size up. Dressing gown. Bath towel?

Also if you think people will refuse to give tickets/experiences then maybe just focus on either a) things that are small so don’t take up much room or b) things that you know she will grow out of fairly soon but have a good resale value. Then just sell on marketplace/eBay once she doesn’t use it anymore.

@twinningatlife I think the yoto player is generally better reviewed for older children and the stories are cheaper.

My kids both have summer birthdays. We asked grandparents to buy annual passes for a local theme park. Is there anything similar nearby that would work for your kids. They've had 3 trips there already and much less plastic.

Baby swimming lessons are a good one to ask for.

Otherwise I think you just have to start getting stricter with the gifters. Anyone you can have a no gift agreement with. Otherwise I'd go with a one small gift per person and if they want to give more here's the details of DCs saying account.

@twinningatlife I’d get a yoto for a five year old.

I think a Tonie is a great present at 1, as they figures are easier for them to use. DS uses his everyday and it’s a very good present suggestion for other people to get one.

National Trust membership is a great idea. Even for car parking - we have a beach which has NT parking at £7.50 a pop!
Some people would be happy - in fact relieved - to give money, others wouldn't. You could always test that out on people?
Also think about things you would need to buy for your DC anyway but might not have asked for as presents (PJs/slippers:dressing gown/clothes/swimwear etc), ask for those for presents then use the money you haven't spent on those for membership.

You could also ask for gifts that could.be used on days out (backpack; hats/caps; cagoules; I spy books; lunch boxes etc)

I dont think there is indoor play at bristol zoo or wildplace. There is a lot inside though at the zoo - butterflies, fish, bugs, reptiles, even gorillas etc

Someone may have mentioned already but a yoto or a tonies box is good and then the same people can buy the little cards/figured as time goes on. Keeps it easy for the gift buyer and feels special.

Oh another thing they could do is a whirly (think that's what it's called) subscription.

It's a toy borrowing company where you can pick toys for a certain amount of time and then you send them back and swap for new ones.

Asking for tickets or seasons passes seems reasonable! My sister asks for that, too, or mentions care products because with her two LOs there literally can't be too much of that stuff. Last year we came up with a family photo shoot for them, booked a professional photographer and they had tons of photos in digital, some of them printed and framed and a Smartshow 3d video with backstage moments and some of the good shots, too. This can be a good gift idea, too bad you can't do it several years in a row .

I always likes good quality outdoor toys for my kids. A sturdy kids wheelbarrow, decent metal buckets and shovels, a hose, a sprinkler, good quality dinosaurs to play with outdoors, child sized out door furniture that can be hosed and folded for storage, metal digger type toys.

We ask for things like books, clothes, things relating to the activities he does, vouchers for days out they/ we can do together.

www.allsubscriptionboxes.co.uk/category/box/kids/

I always used to balance out toys with other items… books, craft items, dressing up costumes ( including fun wigs and clip cloppy shoes) hobby related items like sparkly ballet shoes and dance outfits or jodhpurs etc. Educational items like bug safari kits, hatching butterflies. There are also subscription boxes for a monthly treats. Obviously some of these are more suitable for older children but worth considering as they grow.

Duvet cover set, bedroom decor, bath stuff, pyjamas, bath robe/dressing gown, bath toys, plate/cutlery/beaker set, beanbag, hat/scarf/gloves, something for the garden, bubble machine, nightlight, sign for her bedroom door, christmas tree decoration with her name...