Presents for kids, what do you do?

[Justkeepswiimming]

I'm curious as to what everyone else does. I have one daughter 6, who's birthday is shortly after Christmas, so I always have Christmas and birthday to think about!

As a family, we get together for Christmas day, so there are 4 kids in total on Christmas Day.

We all chip in little bits into their stocking, which include things like bath bombs, little toys, chocolate, socks, etc. Then bigger presents come wrapped from family under the tree.

What else do people buy? I can feel myself falling into the trap of just buying stuff because I have no other ideas. There are no big ticket items she wants this year. She was bought a Switch last year and doesn't really need much else. How do I avoid the buying for buying sake!

My Daughters birthday is early January so I know what you mean! She'll be 9 next birthday but what about experiences or tickets to things instead of items? My mum got dd tickets to Frozen in London one year and she's had a giraffe feeding experience another time at our local zoo. What about an annual pass to a local attraction?

Failing that, vouchers that can be used through the year always come in handy.

Don't get stuff for the sake of it. Go for tickets to things - shows, day out, exhibition, pottery making workshop, horse riding etc. Or what about a magazine subscription or activity subscription (mud and bloom do one). Otherwise go for craft kits, science kits or activities - (galt kits, national geographic science kits, usborne activity books). Art and craft materials.

@loveulotslikejellytots and @Whatamess23 i said I was looking at getting her tickets to see The Greatest Show in London and got told she wouldn't really understand why she hasn't been given anything. I thought it was quite a good idea, but then felt a bit deflated by the feedback.

You won't know till you try it. Depending on how you do presents, mine get 1 present from Santa and the rest from us/family. So this year, dd1 has asked for a few presents which are more expensive. I've explained to her that what she wants is fine, but she may have less presents than her sister (who has chosen a lot of cheaper presents). She understands that.

Maybe try having a conversation with her before hand? Depending on what you get her, you could give her a present that represents the tickets. My Auntie got dd a giraffe teddy with the ticket for her feeding experience.

Dd2 has tickets to hot wheels this year, she is 5, we've got her some hot wheels themed presents to go with her ticket.

My daughter is 6 with a birthday just after Xmas. She is a huge harry potter fan so I asked her how she would feel going to the studios in London (a plane ride away) as her present. She took some time to think but said no she still wanted presents she could open. Hopefully next year.

Dd had a normal Christmas but for her birthday a couple of weeks later, I got contributions from GP’s etc to buy a bigger gift. A climbing frame etc. Then it was just a pair of bathers or something to top it up for something to open. It got harder as the years went in.

I should have made notes but didn’t so now I don’t have the memory (because I’m useless at remembering stuff). Don’t be me. Dh probably has photos all labelled.

DD has an early January birthday so know the feeling. We now make birthdays more about the special day, I have the living room all decorated when she comes down in the morning with lot's of banners and balloons, sparkly door curtain etc. The table set nicely with a party table cloth, birthday hat and cup set out and her favourite breakfast etc, birthday party with friends if she wants or a day out with family. So birthday is more like a me day and Christmas is about the presents

My son will be 7 on the 20th December so following this with interest.
My other boy is 5 end of January so all very close!
This year we are taking them to Disneyland just before Christmas as a surprise and then have decided to do a few presents and a few experiences rather than loads of stuff they don't actually need! 😂

If she got a Switch last year and plays with it then the obvious thing is to get a new game (or 2).

@Justkeepswiimming why don't you try asking her, maybe say as she's struggling to think of something she really wants this year, how would she feel if you planned a special day out for her, got tickets for something and see what she says.
As someone else mentioned you can always find a nice way to present it that might make it seem more exciting.
She will have other presents? I think everyone always feels under pressure to buy a main present but at this age I don't think they notice. My son is 4 and I don't have a main present for him because I can't think of anything and neither can he.
He will have a biggish stocking and maybe 3 or 4 presents under the tree from us. Then presents from family.