Avoiding the toy overload

[Sellingbedtime]

Any one buying their young children/toddlers everyday objects for Christmas? I feel a bit Scrooge-esq but want to avoid the overwhelming stream of toys (that get forgotten by the end of boxing day).

So have thought of buying DD some toddler friendly kitchen knives and some very cheap makeup and brushes.

Ds4 is getting a mario blanket as one of his gifts. Aside from that, we're trying to go smaller quantity, higher impact gifts.

I'd be horrified to be buying something they were bored of the day after, what types of things are these for you? There have been a few misteps over the years but I think I've cottoned on now.

I love practical gifts for dc.

I got ds a set of nested Joseph Joseph bowls, and some coloured measuring spoons when he was 3 as he loved baking with me. I used to draw out a recipe as a list - 4 yellow scoops and picture of the flour bag, two blue scoops and picture of sugar bag, etc.

I also gave my dc birthday gifts of child sized shovels and spades (lidl), and a small wheelbarrow, and a sprinkler and a gun attachment for the garden hose.

Some of these are still in regular use, just not as play items anymore.

My family still bring it up in hushed and horrified tones though.

Just buy fewer toys. My kids got the odd outfit, which they felt was a bit of a cop out gift, but it wasn't like I was giving them school shoes. Anyway they got books as well as toys, and just a few really.
However the worst present my daughter got from a friend of mine was a 99p toothbrush from Boots. Not even a Disney Princess one - just a plain bog standard own brand toothbrush. That was pretty disappointing for me and her.

We tend to only get DS1 one toy as he has so many relatives buying them for him and they like getting him toys! We got him the toddler knives one year and he felt very grown up and they're still used today. Was slightly odd with a two year old announcing to all and sundry that they got knives for Christmas, but oh well! Scissors also went down well.

We’re doing practical gifts (a toddler bed, bed covers) but we will also give her a tonie box which is sort of a “toy” but I see it as something higher quality and longer lasting. We actually rarely buy her toys as such, she got a scooter/ bike and a character bath towel for her birthday. If your kids like characters that can be a way to make practical gifts themed and a bit more fun.

I do a bit of both, they will be getting new water bottles and maybe their own fleecy blankets so they stop stealing mine

Dd's stocking always has some practical things in like new knickers and socks, a notebook and a magic flannel. We only get one gift for her that goes under the tree which is usually something fairly big like a play kitchen, which was a huge hit when she was a toddler and still gets played with now. This year she's 5 and asking Father Christmas for a Barbie house, I know she'll get a lot of play from it so we will get her that. I think the trick is to be a bit picky and not to get loads and loads of things just so the pile looks bigger. If knives and make up will make them happy then just do that.

@WaitingfortheTardis Can I ask which play kitchen you bought please? I recently bought the kidcraft farm to table kitchen which, as nice as it looked, had mising parts and accessories, broken bits, and fell apart quickly when my son decided to climb it as they do. Within three weeks it was sent back for a refund.

@mondaytosunday oh no! what an odd thing to buy!

@WaitingfortheTardis yes definitely agree with not buying loads just for the sake of it.

When DC were younger we bought things they could use with a theme/character they liked. For example swimming towels, backpacks, bed linen, clothing, crockery etc

Also things like a swing or slide for the garden so they didn't clutter up the house but exciting & fun presents.

Ds is 2 and he will be getting some toys but he will be getting some clothes, pjs, Paw Patrol cutlery, a Bluey fake oodie, fluffy socks, sweets, LUSH shower gel and I’m thinking maybe some Paw Patrol toothbrushes and a towel as well 🤔

We have a mix of stuff some toys and practical stuff - the practical bits haven't bought all but this is my list....

• homemade dinosaur baking set - Dino cookie cutters, Icing pens, sugar eyes, Dino wafer cupcake toppers, Dino sprinkles
• bubble bath
• New fleecy blanket
• tractor Ted pants & socks
• books (mix of new & second hand)
• bath bombs
• money box
• double walled plastic cup (rocket)
• cupcake mix kit
• squirty bath foam

My three children, 6yrs and under, are getting a fluffy cushion each, a new duvet cover set, basket for their bike/scooter and toothpaste/brushes. They are also getting one toy each. Last year they got poncho towels and a blanket each.

This year we've bought DS a mid sleeper cabin bed as part of his Christmas presents.
And DD needs the super exciting gift of a new bin - she's outgrown her Frozen one & it's broken on the side.
So yes to practical gifts that will be used daily & appreciated.
We're also moving towards experience type presents so DD is getting tickets to see Wicked with me for a mum-daughter day out.

Over twenty years later DS still fondly remembers getting his very own roll of Sellotape. At the time he said it was the best present ever. Fortunately not in front of his GPS who had spent over £100 on him.

Both DC loved baking from an early age and personalised aprons were another big hit.

Yes, absolutely! I try to make their stockings full of consumables - character bubble bath, craft shapes and stickers, sequins, paint, pipe cleaners etc, seeds to plant, all things that we would need anyway.

Mine are getting useful things, such as new, good quality duvet covers, sub coats, rash vests, etc.

Last year, we got them sleeping bags, self inflating mats, and holdalls, as they camped with cubs/scouts. They also had a zip wire for the garden. They had a sofa full each plus stocking. I'm cutting back this year, they're 10 &12 so outgrown toys as such. I think the knives sound good.

I often get DC's a new duvet cover (whatever they're into- ds6 is desperate for a star wars one)
Also things like a new water bottle/cup, swimming towel/bag, backpack or lunchbox
They often also get toothbrushes, underwear, bath bombs etc in their stockings.

Dd8 loves practical things for Christmas and birthdays. Hits include:

new school backpack
character lunchbox
electric toothbrush
pencil case
character water bottle
bubble bath
Pjs
dressing gown
slippers
Fleece blanket
microwaveable teddy
new swim bag or towel

This year she’s getting a big unicorn cat bag which she’ll be able to take to sleepovers at grandparents. She needs a big one as she tries to take the full house!

We have! but I must say that a toddler bed as a Christmas present probably goes a bit too far down the Scrooge path - it's a necessary piece of furniture for a growing child.

Although, I DO think choosing a cool bed when you're old enough is a great gift (like a mid / high sleeper etc)

But how can a toddler choose?

I've already arranged panto tickets for relatives, after checking with parents.

We're adding a few outside things into the sacks this year like a small football, and a mini football goal etc, things my younger ones will use outside so the gifts from us wont clutter the house up too much

Mine are getting swimming goggles this year

I don't really buy massive amounts of toys, usually 1 or 2 proper toys and the rest educational or useful stuff.

So far for DD6 I have:

• 1 set of care bear Christmas pyjamas, bought in last year's sale
• Grinch spatula set, bought when I was in the US, she loves baking with me and she loves the Grinch, plus our new kitchen will be in just before Christmas
• Peer Gynt Story Orchestra book, she almost has the full collection. I bought that in March for cheap
• Telescope, her number 1 wish this year
• Book about stargazing
• Lego Beauty and the Beast castle that I managed to get for a steal in the sale last year.
• Disney Memory game, because her old memory game has too many identifying marks on the cards

Absolutely! Mine have asked for a lot of toys this year, so we’re a bit more toy focused, but previously things like new bag, lunchbox, bubble bath have gone down very well. I think toddler knives and make up brushes sound great!