Kids who have everything

[Wakinguptooearly]

I have two grandchildren - girl 4 and boy 7 months.
The problem is that have everything. Absolute mountains of toys, my daughter is incredibly particular about their clothing so that won't work.
They don't have savings accounts so adding money to those isn't an option.
Any ideas for gifts that won't just be chucked on the pile as soon as the paper is off?

Can you take the 4 year old to a panto?
And 7 month old...um...a cuddle?

Depending on your budget how about a yoto or tonie player ?

Or personalised books for them to keep! Where you can make the story about them

My 4 year old is starting to enjoy board games with the family so she’s getting junior monopoly and ker plunk. 7 month olds aren’t fussy.

Could you not open savings accounts ? Much more value to the children long term than more toys etc

I'm sure as grandparents you could buy them premium bonds which gets round the lack of savings accounts.

Very difficult for anyone other than the parents to do (I know because DM keeps hassling me that I haven’t got round to opening one for DC2…)

Something with a subscription for the 4 year old? Someone mentioned a pancake subscription on another thread.

Also second board and card games. DC1 started to really get into them about 4. Snakes and ladders, Uno, dominoes, junior scrabble.

Pictures for their rooms.
Nice bedding for the 4 year old. Rucksack and drinks bottle.

Premium bonds?

Yoto is a great idea but definitely over budget this year. I'm thinking in the region of £30 - £50 each child.

Panto also a good idea but we live too far apart for this to really be convenient for everyone.
I've suggested opening the savings accounts but my daughter keeps saying she's going to do it herself (and doesn't).
The 7 month old is particularly difficult as not only does he have everything a baby could need, he also gets his sister's toys handed down.

Are they near a zoo or similar that you could get them a family annual pass for??

Premium bonds is an excellent idea! I'll definitely look into this.
Also board games too.
Thanks for all the suggestions 😊

Could you get a voucher towards an annual pass for a local zoo or petting farm? My mam gets this for my kids every Christmas and it's very much appreciated. She gives that between my two kids and each of them gets to unwrap socks, PJs, pants and a book - the kids love it and it's all very practical too.

Jiminy.ie have giant bubble kits and magnetic blocks. Both of which my 4 year old LOVES.

@Ringbling85 this is a good idea. I was thinking maybe NT membership as a family gift. As both children are under 5, does anyone know if this needs to be a family pass or just a couple's membership?

Were doing a family present, a velvetiser plus stuff to make posh hot chocolate like grated chocolate, candy canes, Maltesers etc. Last year we did pjs for DVD, the year be for a child's back pack.

How about a craft caddy/trolley for 4 year old filled with paper/crayons new felt tips etc. Like this www.hobbycraft.co.uk/blush-pink-three-tier-storage-trolley/6414541001.html?glCountry=GB&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwfiaBhC7ARIsAGvcPe64HYPRhGO2bgD3RJgQMiGm8IyisXxF25soa9hhvVU0gxYvWVcRtY4aAuhAEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.d

I’d ask their mum what to buy

The premium bonds website makes it sound simple buying them for a grandchild but it isn't. My DM bought them for DSis first baby and DSis got a letter saying she had to send official docs within a certain number of days which was difficult when she had a difficult recovery and PND. They were then cancelled because she didn't do it in time which led to lots of unnecessary stress for DSis and unhappiness for DM contacted her to ask her why she had rejected them. Cash would have been a lot simpler.

My aunt used to get my children different to the norm stuff which wasn't big. Examples are a beautiful wind up soft doll with a cute face, some fun berets, little bags, a jewelry box. A rag doll. Both got Noah's arks with wooden animals. A domino train. A cushion for their rooms. Orchard jigsaws. A nice purse.

Also a wooden box with nice colouring pencils in it.

I'd love it if the grandparents didn't ask me what to buy every year. Sometimes my head explodes with all the different presents I need to think of and wrap - that are not even from me.
Some nice ideas on this thread.

Pay for their swimming lessons or whatever?

Yes under 5's are free for national trust

@UpsilonPi totally!! I have literally just told my mother in law what the kids would like (she asked, it wasn't forced upon her), then had to order them myself. All she has to do is transfer the money over!

Definitely National Trust or similar.

Alternatively you can buy some beautiful coins from the Royal Mint. You could start them off this year and each Christmas they get a new special coin from Granny. This alongside a book or soft toy of the character on the coin would make a beautiful gift.

How about a comic subscription for the 4 year old?

The School Reading List - magazine subscriptions

Adopt a snow leopard with WWF - come with a cuddly toy.