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?

I’ve got a list of presents that aren’t toys this year, because my children also have everything and I hate the waste! On our lists are…

Tickets/days out (bonus points if it includes the gift giver taking the kids so I also get some time off!)

cool bath towels - you can get lovely hooded ones for baby and favourite character for 4yo

nature type gift - seed bombs, butterfly kit, make your own hedgehog house

books - can never have enough books

lamps/art/cushion/beanbag for bedrooms

moneybox (get them money boxes and put some cash in)

I would also love it if at least one of my relatives could just pick something to buy my kids without asking me, but I would appreciate a text to let me know what they’ve decided to check it’s not a duplicate.

maybe send her a text and just say as the kids have so much I thought I’d get them xyz instead of more toys, is that ok?

Think other posters suggestion of board games for your Granddaughter is a very good idea.

Little Dutch do wooden toys for reasonable prices and they might have something a bit different for your Grandson.

If it was me I’d choose a board game/toy, some pyjamas and a book for each of them.

Cant go wrong with pjs! Also activity books / sticker books go down well.

My oldest could do with some more pjs in the next size up but holding out till Christmas as someone usually does go down this route!

For the 4 year old - do they have crayons, pencils, watercolours, ready mix paints, beads, sequins etc? Board games? Snap cards ? You could get some books. Either ti read herself or to be read too depending on where her reading is. You can never have too much lego. Play doh
Subscription box? Like a toucon box, banjo Robinson.. the gift that keeps on giving!
I'd personally appreciate being asked, 9 times out of 10 I hate it when people just buy something. Crappy books, certain toys I don't allow or duplicates etc..

Garden toys. Theatre tickets for something like Room on the Broom or whatever is on these days for that age group. A subscription to a comic. Take a look at Baker Ross for craft kits for this age group. Puzzles. Top trumps games. Baking kit. Montessori type toys or play sets. I saw some lovely Montessori themed boxes on Etsy with dough, glass pebbles, sensory bits etc in.

7 month old - money in account
4 yo take them out for the day

When my DD was that age (also with everything she could ever need due to be the only grandchild on both sides of the family) her uncle got her a build a bear voucher. A few weeks after Christmas he took her out for lunch and to go pick her bear and she had the best time. She still talks about it four years later!

Books, selection box and tell mum to open a bank account with the rest of their money.

Depending where they live of course but I've found historic houses offer more family friendly options. My parents renew ours every year and I'd be lost without it!

My DM always gives cash for all the grandkids, and leaves it completely up to the parents whether it gets spent on necessities, days out, toys, or saved, etc.

A trip to the toy shop to pick themselves always works well.

A big ticket item like trampoline for the garden or scooters / ride on trike thing.

Annual passes for somewhere?

New swimming stuff - goggles, cozzie, towel, bag.

My kids loved random things like a torch and a magnifying glass at that age. In fact most toys don’t end up getting played with that much. Boxes, blankets, sheets, yes.

Cinema vouchers and a little hamper with popcorn etc
Swimming vouchers, new character towel
Pass for local farm, trampoline Park
Definitely an experience anyway

I would get them a little personalised backpack each. Inside put chocolate Santa, bath sponge, bath crayons, bamboo toothbrush, book, slipper socks, pjs