Budget gifts for 3 and 5 year old girls

[EezyOozy]

Hi all,

i haven’t started Xmas shopping yet 😬

my just-5 yr olds bday was today and my nearly 4 yr olds bday is in the new year.

they don’t need anything! We are on a tight budget …. Probs £75 per child max. They are very very similar and squabble over toys - I need to get two of everything. It’s the only way to all stay sane.

my just 5 yo is very into crafts and got a metric tonne of craft supplies and Playdoh for her bday this weekend… the younger one also likes crafts, and is a wee bit more into imaginative play (the dolls house , paw patrol and peppa figures).

i like to buy second hand but it’s difficult trying to get 2 of things …

i can think of:

-getting them things they kind of need anyway (like leggings, we go through a lot of leggings), gloves … just nicer versions of these things than I’d normally buy

-more craft things eg we could do with a large pack of coloured paper, that sort of thing

-Jigsaws.

…other than that I’m stumped for affordable things to buy. They have lots of toys that they play with a lot.

we are having a large family Xmas with their cousins who will get tonnes. I know it shouldn’t matter… but I’d like my girls to have a reasonable little pile of things to open.

any ideas ?! Things that “look big” but don’t cost a huge amount would be very good!

thank you!

What about some Orchard Toys games? You could just get one of each because they could play them together. Plenty suitable for those ages.

That’s a good shout thank you!

Mine loved a pop up tunnel for years! Just looked & a similar one in argos is £7.50 at the moment.

I big cardboard box full of balloons is quite a 'wow' thing to open - make it a joint gift.

Inflatable things like guitars, flamingos, dinosaurs etc

Tub of playmobil, duplo, wooden bricks, train track etc. I did this for my DC when younger, all bought second hand & put in a large storage box or builders bucket & wrapped.

Colour in playhouse (we've had one from Hobbycraft)

Pre-loved bikes, scooters, slide, garden toys etc.

Local show at the theatre/concert? That's what I'm doing and have been for a few years (8 and 6)!

Space hoppers
Squishems (we bought 2 at the school fair for £1 each in good condition)
Wendy house or tipi (put together and wrapped)
Colour-in Cardboard playhouse/rocket/shop from hobby craft
Chalkboard easels

Do you really need two of everything tho? Just gift it to them both. There was a big plastic bright pink kitchen in the local charity shop, looked in good condition, for £10. Something like that then lots of plastic food, plates etc. Big plastic garage and lots of cars. Pj Mask figures for imaginative play but the different characters.
Vinted is quite useful for stuff you do need two of second hand cos you can search for specific items, altho be mindful of postage costs.
What about dolls? You could get different ones because it's basically the same and say they look different because so do the sisters.

Also buy Garden stuff for the summer or ask for vouchers to spend in the summer? Say this as Mom of twins born in mid Dec.

What about some gifts that are to be shared such as games, play tent, outdoor toys, Duplo/Lego etc.

Have a look on Marketplace and any local Facebook groups (both free and buying/selling) for toys etc.

We used to get stuff they could play together with but had two bits... like one got an Anna dill and costume, the other got Elsa doll and costume. Two happy land sets that coordinated. One got a doll cot, the other the highchair. Two different games.

Chalkboard and chalks here for £2.73! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Artbox-23x30cm-Chalk-Board-Set/dp/B00402ZGRQ/ref=ascdff_B00402ZGRQ/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=218069923403&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4804334756031943096&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006705&hvtargid=pla-435022420708&psc=1

Oh and The Works are doing their 10 books for £10. I also got a fake Frustration from there and a couple of other games - they're doing 2 for £12 or 3 for £15

Another vote for the works, they have lots of stuff and b&m have a lot of stuff too.
I bulk out Christmas with "things they need"
I got some swimming towels
Clothes - pants, vests, socks, scarves, hats and gloves
Just nice bits really

There's also a cheap website I get some stocking fillers from

www.poundtoy.com/collections/toy-sale

Mine are 6 and 3 and yes we do have to have two of everything as there's tears and tantrums on Christmas Day when one gets something the other doesn't (except Paw Patrol, the younger one doesn't like it). It's just easier to get more or less the same, except board games and things that need more than one person, those are shared gifts.

Melissa and Doug reusable sticker books- often on sale under £5 and A3 size so look substantial.
Dressing gown/oversize hoodie is a good bulky present.
Jacques of London has a 3 for 2 sale on - some nice toys/games that come in nice boxes that look impressive.
Playdoh sets - usually some on offer under £10 on Amazon, like the pancake set, and usually come in big boxes.

A pencil roll filled with their very own pencils? Mine loved this!
Play doh sets.
Sticker and colouring books.
Lego (I know it's a toy but you might not have it coming out your ears yet).
Board games.
Skipping rope.

Mine are 6 and 3 and yes we do have to have two of everything as there's tears and tantrums on Christmas Day when one gets something the other doesn't

Tantrums from which one, considering the youngest was only 2 last year?

It sounds like your kids should learn about giving and receiving rather than tantrumming.

Torches, can get the cheap plain ones and they can decorate with stickers of their choice. Also umbrellas are a big hit with that age range and has a bit of 'wow' 😆. Beach ball, hula hoops, hama beads all good options.

The Works has lots of well priced craft things, plus jigsaws, books etc.

Ikea also has some nice things - the play kitchens might take up too much of your budget, but the accessories like the shopping basket are nice.

www.ikea.com/gb/en/cat/role-play-toys-18737/

I think both Aldi and Lidl also have toys in.

Thanks for all the suggestions ! Will go through them all properly later and order a few.

yes we do need to buy 2 of many things , as pp said the exception is when it’s a game or large item (like a slide) that is shared. Another exception in my case will be some PJ masks figures for the youngest as the older isn’t interested (and a more advanced craft set for the older one)

Maybe you could get a dolls house for them to share? Or a scooter each? I have 4 kids and although they get similar presents in stockings I don’t get 4 of each thing! They’re getting a zip wire this year which was £200 and they’re sharing that then they haven’t got many other presents! Puzzles, books, clothes mainly.