What are your children getting?!

[DaisyFloop]

I live low waste and my children don't need anything so I'm struggling! Toddler and teen. They'll both get handmade clothes (that's what I do, they'll be nice I promise!) And a couple of books. But then I'm stuck! I don't buy plastic, my toddler has open ended toys so maybe a larger toy or dollhouse? My teen wants v bucks but I don't want him to have nothing to really open, he loves being outdoors, loves sticks and stone, aspires to be a geologist so maybe a rock tumbler? Urgh I'm at a loss. How do you find a balance between too much and not enough?!

For me it’s still a bit early as their tastes change. Are you completely not to all plastic, even second hand? For the toddler I would focus on what they like doing or where they don’t have toys eg role play, small world, construction or a wobble board? Alid often has great wooden toys nearer Christmas.

I’m trying to buy fewer books and use the library more.

A wobbel board is a good shout thank you! I try and rehome books but there's so many lovely ones I can't part with!

Coal, the way this holidays going 😂😂

😂 my kids would probably love that lol

My kids got two boxes of magnet tiles when they were about 2 and 4 and they still get played with almost daily 6 years on. And when they're finished with them i'll be able to pass them on so i think they're a great investment.

Mine have magnetic tiles that they're obsessed with so I'll be buying more, found a pink/purple set on Amazon the other day so I might get those for DD and hope it'll stop them fighting over them

I don't like too many toys. To keep it in check, I try and do one big present from us as parents and about 10 small ones from Santa (and not just toys, things like book, toothbrush, socks, playdough, chocolate).

I've got toddlers so I was thinking it might be the year for a trampoline.

Would your toddler like dressing up costumes? Craft things? Outdoor chalk for drawing on the patio?

How about some fossils for your teen? My DD1 loves rocks and fossils......UKGE sell some really fabulous stuff, I normally buy her a new rock or fossil every year for her collection.

Or a telescope/pair of good binoculars?

I think the rock tumbler is a great idea, along with the fossils.
Do you have a rock doc where you live? We have a geologist who does walks with talks - about £5 a time.
When I was at school a million years ago, a friend had a tumbler, and made jewellery for pocket money and gifts.

A train set for the toddler?
Mine is getting a big cardboard den that he can colour in with paint sticks, similar to this one https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/colour-in-cardboard-playhouse-92cm/6372331000.html?glCountry=GB&store=84&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8MG1BhCoARIsAHxSiQknaODRIxSqiXcCHmvqXfL7tJO8Ol5Ix8oxu436_rLg-lP3hetaMskaAo7EEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Myriad toys have nice things - wooden/balsa automata kits, Ostheimer figures, dolls houses, jigsaws etc. The board games are wood and cardboard.

There are some bits for older kids into ourdoorsy/science-y type things - physics I guess?! Catapaults, pulley cable cars etc.. Depending how big your garden is

It's AUGUST! 🙄

And? It's on the Christmas thread so you didn't need to respond what month it is on a Christmas thread.
Some of us like to be organised and have to juggle money around for Christmas/Birthdays etc

Thank you all!
Magnets are a great idea!
Rock doc sounds so cool, I will have to investigate!
Crafts and arty stuff a good idea for the toddler. Train set maybe for her birthday. You're all brilliant!

I took my Xmas tree to the charity shop yesterday. Xmas is officially banned and I am so relieved. No more forced cheerfulness, Xmas tat, over indulgence and build up stress.

Instead, a trip to the stones to welcome back the sun, with stories and singing round a cheerful fire and nice food with good people.

If they like construction type toys have you seen the Teifoc sets on Amazon?

You mix up mortar and build a house or structure with real mini bricks. You can soak it in water and it comes apart for you to do again too I believe. Looks like a fab idea and something a bit different. Might get a set or two for my DD this year.

all our children are adults... we tend to do one big family 'secret santa' to keep costs down, and then i will give 'stocking fillers' of the usual, chocs, smellies etc.

but this is the first year with GC.. no idea what we will give then!

If you can afford them Maileg mice were a big hit with my daughter from a toddler. She gets one in her sock and will be getting another set this year.

Oh they're so cute aren't they! I'm terrible at seeing things like that and thinking I can make them myself before getting incediblt frustrated and annoyed so I might pop some in the online basket before I start buying materials to make my own!

Wait and see what they ask for nearer the time?

Sports equipment?

I picked up a scooter on sale for my 3 year old today for Christmas. He'll be getting a yoto player , books , dress up stuff and a few other bits. He's hard to buy for so it's always a guessing game really

I think you’ll struggle finding a rock tumbler that isn’t plastic, I haven’t seen any. Same with the magnetic tiles, they’re covered in plastic.

Yes, magnatiles are generally plastic, so they’re out.

I don't go all out ar Christmas and avoid plastic. Mine are 6 and 4.
Spread between the two of them:
Wooden dinosaurs
Playdough
Dress up costumes
Nice colouring book each
Some books.

Toys and dress up are sourced from vinted. There will be a few more bits I'm sure but that's the general plan.