Inexpensive and thoughtful gift ideas for 6yo and 2yo girls

[greysnug]

Really trying to scale Christmas back this year. There are several of our family and friends who are in a similar position and so we've agreed with them either to not do presents or to stick to a smaller budget.

A family member has 6yo and 2yo DDs who we will be buying a small gift for and they buy a token gift for our older teen. We don't know the girls particularly well as we don't see them very often. Definitely looking to spend £10 or under on each DD if possible.

Any good ideas of a thoughtful gift for either age group that they might enjoy?

Thank you

Thoughtful depends depends on knowing a bit about what the people like. Can you ask the parents what kinds of things the kids like?

Books.

Book, pair of M&S pjs or a joint gift of a bath hamper so nice bubble bath, bath bombs, festive rubber ducks and some wind up swimming bath toys.

I was also going to suggest books or pyjamas!- possibly matching?
if you wanted to put something with it then small edible item, maybe Christmas themed or something you’ve put together yourself- thinking of hot choc/ marshmallows/ sweet cones to look like a reindeer or snowman, something like that- lots of ideas on Pinterest

I would also say some pyjamas. M&S do nice ones and Sainsburys have some lovely ones online too. Get pairs that have their favourite characters on.

I second books, maybe socks/pyjamas/hat and gloves with a character if you know their favourite.

I’ve bought my little ones friends 6/7 year olds sister a colour in your own pencil case, some play dough and a sew your own mini plushies kit for her birthday and Christmas presents and I’ll get some sweets to go with them too :)

6/7 is prime stationery age as I recall, some
cute or glittery pens/pencils or similar would go down well. Paperchase used to be great for this but now try Flying Tiger? Or some Christmas themed chocolate.

For the 2 year old I’d say a fun hat or gloves - these get lost so easily they always need more!

Definitely books.

Craft kit for the 6 year old?

I am buying things on vinted this year that are new and unopened. Got some great craft sets for my nieces all for about 5 quid each.

Aldi do great wooden toys for the two year old.

Sticker activity books
colouring pencils

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HGL-SV21083-Assorted-Designs-Colours/dp/B0947828YV/ref=asc_df_B0947828YV/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697303386863&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8969035500343032337&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9192133&hvtargid=pla-1461854934214&psc=1&mcid=58938cebf07d3c1f86dcc1ae0c80dc17&gad_source=1

This! (My dds loved this last year more so than anything else!)

Do you have any local "made in your town" type of shops featuring itms made by local artists and crafters? In Kent most towns seem to have them and they often do lovely little handmade gifts for children like fairy gardens/craft kits etc

Honestly at that age they'll love books or toys from a pound store. Lots of "to do" things in pound stores for the 6yr old eg paint your own money box. My 2 year old loves some plastic blocks she got free on a magazine.

If you want more thoughtful, books are great. Not ones that make noise. Try not to get Julia Donaldson (we have 4 copies of Stickman and 2 of the Gruffalo!). We asked for books for her christening and we have loved the range and thought put into the books she received. The Works do a fair priced range of kids book choices.

Thoughtful means thinking about what they like, so if you don't know the girls well or see them often, ask their parents what they like.

My DD recently turned 4. She loves everything in Clare's Accessories and I bet she would be delighted with a gift card (£5 or £10) so she could choose whatever she wanted. She also loves books, but it's tricky if you don't know what they have. I'd suggest looking in The Works as they often have great value things like books, sticker/activity books, craft stuff, puzzles etc.

I would also go for clothes, so pjs, t shirt, swimsuit if they swim, sweatshirt, slippers. Next used to do very reasonably priced things when my DD was a similar age.
Books would also be a go to, can never have too many!
I remember buying a friend;s small child some Matey bubblebath, which was a limited edition Christmas one. Can't remember which character, possibly the Grufflalo, but I remember it went down very well. Glittery bath bombs for the older girl.
Hula hoops, or a skipping rope. Or those things that look like two upturned buckets joined together by a rope, and you can walk on them. I volunteer in a school, and I can vouch that they are very popular at playtime.
Play food if they have a toy kitchen.
Snap, or Happy Families, set of cards.

A craft basket each tailored to their ages

To go against the grain, I don't really like it when people buy my kids clothes, unless it's my mum as she gets lovely things - mostly I prefer to choose myself (obviously based on what the kids like, especially as they get older and more picky about their clothes). It's especially annoying if people get the size wrong, I had a family member give my kids clothes that are too small, whhyyyy?! If unsure always size up as they can grow into them!

Do not do this unless you are willing to supervise said craft and tidy it up

For my nearly 2 year old I am planning to buy or ask for a threading toy (threading beads and string) some of which you can get for under £10. Or maybe a small jigsaw or other puzzle

Sticker books are a safe bet, great for keeping the children busy during the Christmas break. If they've got them already they can be easily regifted.

At that age they will love the little Ty Beanie keyring animals, plus some colouring or crafty bits from Flying Tiger or similar. Also try Rex London for little bits girls that age love, especially in their sale section (online!)