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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Please suggest large(ish) extra pressies?

71 replies

Twoweeksandcounting · 18/12/2022 08:44

My daughter is 9, an only child. This year, we are going to the inlaws for Xmas day and other family on Boxing Day, so she will have lovely gifts waiting for her at both places. We’ll be waking up at home on Xmas morning, and I have just realised it’s going to look almost bare under our tree. My husband and I aren’t exchanging gifts this year, as we have booked a treat for early next year. So there will literally be her presents under the tree from FC and us.

She has a bike, which will obviously be very exciting and take up some space in the living room. But otherwise, she just has a few small bits and pieces. We’ve never been ones for massive piles of presents, but I would really like to pad it out a bit so it looks a bit more exciting. Don’t want to buy stuff just for the sake of it that won’t get used, so would be nice if any extras I get can be useful for her.

I would have started with a onesie and a fleecy throw, but I know grandparents have got her both of those. So I thought perhaps a new duvet cover set, a fun cushion for her bed, and maybe a primark version of an oodie if I can find one. Any other suggestions please? Can afford to spend the extra, but don’t want to break the bank!

OP posts:
Twoweeksandcounting · 18/12/2022 09:22

LimeCheesecake · 18/12/2022 09:18

You should get gifts too and your dd should give both of you a gift. Christmas Day isn’t just about her, she needs to get that everyone gets gifts and she gives them too.(This is harder to remember to do for only kids). If you are going to family, put the gifts you’ve got them under the tree too.

For a bulky but cheap gift - tescos had some small air hockey sets around a tenner that are about 2 foot long. In the box look even bigger.

Yes, I have clarified in a later post that she has bought me something with her pocket money, and I’ll be taking her to do the same for dad

OP posts:
OutofControl3 · 18/12/2022 09:22

Squishmellow/large teddy
Beanbag
Giant tube of pringles/pot noodles/biscuits (bnm)

Forgottenmypasswordagain · 18/12/2022 09:23

A jewelry music box with a ballerina turning around and maybe, an inexpensive little Christmas pin that lights up. A book, an all in one craft kit, a hat with cat ears or something, bunny slippers.

Schnooze · 18/12/2022 09:24

Popcorn and popcorn holder (holder £1 from Poundland)
voucher for an activity disguised in a large box or wrapped like a pass the parcel.
Big 2l bottle of fizzy drink/pack of J2o’s

Forgottenmypasswordagain · 18/12/2022 09:25

I remember black paper and bright florescent markers being a big hit.

OutofControl3 · 18/12/2022 09:25

Lava/glitter lamp!

Itwaseasierforyounotobelieveme · 18/12/2022 09:26

Have you got a works near you? They do some fun cheap kits.

AlwaysLatte · 18/12/2022 09:30

Things for her bike? New Helmet? Lights? Water bottle holder etc?

Twoweeksandcounting · 18/12/2022 09:32

Sorry for not replying to everyone individually. Lots of good idea here / including lots she has already received recently, due to having a November birthday!

I hear what people are saying about how my husband and I should be getting each other gifts. I don’t entirely agree, neither of us wants “stuff”, we just want our weekend away, which my daughter knows is our Christmas present to each other.

Also in case anyone missed it, she has bought a present for me and I will be taking her to get one for her dad. She will see everyone exchanging gifts on Xmas day and Boxing Day, so it won’t be all about her.

My plan is to go to the Works for a craft kit, B&M/Home Bargains for edible/cushion type things, Primark for an oodie type thing, then get a squishmallow and maybe one other thing.

thanks for all your help!

OP posts:
LightGreenDot · 18/12/2022 09:47

Ok so if you don't want 'stuff' for you and your husband, why do you want it for your daughter? You've got her enough, no need to 'pad it out'.

PutinSmellsPassItOn · 18/12/2022 09:55

I always make my dd a big hamper of sweets and smellies, it doesn't cost much. I get most the stuff from home bargains and put in stuff like face masks, shower gels, a novelty flannel thing, hairbrush and scrunchies .....This year I've got her a towel turban which I know she'll like. It's always a winner, she spends ages going through it.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 18/12/2022 10:01

LightGreenDot · 18/12/2022 09:47

Ok so if you don't want 'stuff' for you and your husband, why do you want it for your daughter? You've got her enough, no need to 'pad it out'.

Agree. Don't buy for the sake of buying.
That's a horrible message.

Books are always good, not necessarily fiction.

Is there any skill she desires that you could get real-life equipment for, such as specialty baking pans or gardening tools, rather than toy versions?

TheYearOfSmallThings · 18/12/2022 10:07

You've had some great suggestions but I would add it might be nice for her to see her parents exchanging gifts (a book, a scarf, doesn't have to be much), and also for each of you to take her out to choose a gift for the other parent. She is at an age now to notice stuff like that.

Zipps · 18/12/2022 10:15

A beach/swimming towel
Gingerbread house
Big Art set of felt tips, pencils etc

Twoweeksandcounting · 18/12/2022 10:18

TheYearOfSmallThings · 18/12/2022 10:07

You've had some great suggestions but I would add it might be nice for her to see her parents exchanging gifts (a book, a scarf, doesn't have to be much), and also for each of you to take her out to choose a gift for the other parent. She is at an age now to notice stuff like that.

We have done that

OP posts:
Janieread · 18/12/2022 10:19

"sends the wrong message" 😂😂

It sends exactly the right message OP, don't worry about it. Christmas doesn't have to be all about presents for grown ups.

HewasH20 · 18/12/2022 10:23

Dunelm cuddle cushion from their teddy fleece range.

SomethingOriginal2 · 18/12/2022 10:23

Twoweeksandcounting · 18/12/2022 09:32

Sorry for not replying to everyone individually. Lots of good idea here / including lots she has already received recently, due to having a November birthday!

I hear what people are saying about how my husband and I should be getting each other gifts. I don’t entirely agree, neither of us wants “stuff”, we just want our weekend away, which my daughter knows is our Christmas present to each other.

Also in case anyone missed it, she has bought a present for me and I will be taking her to get one for her dad. She will see everyone exchanging gifts on Xmas day and Boxing Day, so it won’t be all about her.

My plan is to go to the Works for a craft kit, B&M/Home Bargains for edible/cushion type things, Primark for an oodie type thing, then get a squishmallow and maybe one other thing.

thanks for all your help!

Sounds like an awesome Christmas!
You could also get her some nice drinks for Christmas day. We always felt so posh with J20s 🤣 they do glittery ones she might like.

HewasH20 · 18/12/2022 10:23

Dunelm cuddle cushion from their teddy fleece range.

Libre55 · 18/12/2022 10:36

Don’t bring her up to think that the quantity of presents is important. FGS she has a new bike!

reelcat · 18/12/2022 10:41

I agree with Squishmallow. My daughters got huge ones last year and use them like bean bags

sashh · 18/12/2022 11:14

Balloons, blown up and in the biggest box you can find. It's more for younger children but can be fun for older ones. You can also get balloons that light up.

PumpkinLumpkin · 18/12/2022 11:31

I remember at about the same age my mum made up a big box of ice cream making things. So she bought colourful tall glass ice cream glasses, long spoons, tubs of every kind of sprinkles and marshmallows, boxes of wafers and flakes, bottles of raspberry and chocolate sauce, those little paper flags to go on top etc. And she made recipe cards for different knickerbocker glories. My friends and I would get the box out on sleepovers and make ice cream sundaes.

Themed boxes are fun so maybe a movie night box with some new dvds, popcorn and treats etc. If there's a theme for you might include say Harry Potter dvds with gryffindor scarf, chocolate frogs and other themed sweets, etc.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 18/12/2022 11:35

New bike helmet/bell/gloves/warm hi vis jacket

Duvet cover is always a good call

Hype hoodie /school bag

RomanMum · 18/12/2022 11:51

How about something her and DH can do together over Christmas? eg jigsaw/making activity. Done this for years with DD. either DH's old Lego sets, difficult jigsaw/mystery puzzle jigsaw/cardboard skeleton etc. Gift tag made out to both of them. Keeps them both busy and out of the kitchen