Substantial gift for 1 year old and 5 year old nieces

[greengreengrass3]

Evening all, apologies if there is already a similar thread but I’ve looked through and I can’t see one.

Can I please ask what substantial gifts you are buying for your 1 & 5 years old girls, I’m not wanting to buy them multiple gifts because their parents don’t really have space and other family members will already do this, budget around £100 but can increase this for the right gift if needed.

thank you

A tonie box for the wee one with figures and a Yoto for the older one?

a dress up rail and outfits for the older one and sensory stepping stones and silks/sensory box for the younger one.

Le mieux horse and accessories for older one and Olli Ella luggy and steiff soft toy for younger one to pull along in it.

Scooter for the eldest, scuttlebug for the youngest

A trampoline for the garden (joint gift)

I agree that an annual pass to a local farm/activity place/national trust/whatever would be amazing. We had multiple passes when DC were that age and they were invaluable.

I deffo think something like a pass for somewhere would be great , a zoo pass if you live close to a zoo or a local farm or maybe a gift voucher for next so then Mum can buy them some spring clothes once the new season range comes in . They will probably get loads of stuff for now so maybe try to help for later into 2026.

I'd get them premium bonds - they will thank you later!

Does she have a Yoto at her own house?
I'm confused as to why she'd have one at your house if she only stays once a month.
I would let her have it at her house and buy her Yoto club membership so she can get new cards throughout the year.

No problem, it is this one
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7746484?clickSR=slp:term:gabby%20dollhpuse:8:101:1
My DD has played with hers every day since she got it in the summer and for christmas has asked family for the room sets that store inside it 😊

Don't spend £100 for the sake of it. Really. Smaller present + money in bank.

For the 1yo I would get this:
https://www.micro-scooters.co.uk/products/mini-micro-3in1-ride-on-scooter-pink

Actually, does the 5yo have a scooter? If not I'd get this:
https://www.micro-scooters.co.uk/products/maxi-micro-scooter-deluxe-light-up-purple

Get them an experience like a day trip to Lego land or pepper pig world .

OP, you can get some very beautiful musical snow globes - if that’s what’s been asked for, that’s what I’d get. This one is £95 https://www.lovechristmas.christmas/products/family-christmas-tree-musical-christmas-snow-globe?variant=55417553748348&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2020-09-11&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17510564767&gbraid=0AAAAADPfTS7Xz-Y_nZBGXrimw8se-7woj&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqr3TgP-vkQMVipZQBh3hGyCOEAQYBCABEgJQJ_D_BwE
Proper tambourines don’t come cheap, either! But if you’ve got both of those, rather than buying something for the sake of it, why don’t you put some money in her bank account? Then when there’s something she wants, she’ll be able to get it. Or books - I could easily spend £100 on children’s books! Has she got the musical ones? The story orchestra books are lovely - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Story-Orchestra-Nutcracker-Press-Tchaikovskys/dp/1786030683/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2S8F8Z43OW24Z&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.H7-hNlwx5ZmdS1eLAPgZzf6lG2uWh01p6DTI0DxCnAowrxDp_69xOijRl4o4EvaOhDN8cxnw5WDSBHHgFbcSiy9sNARAMPnkGBXwO4QEh1BfpJm2JgCT6ZD-55nUzwA9iSRLICzYKhaNuJ3gwSp70m17Roe0qTF4Z5Ar4jLFbfGI7fZ5UKgVuZr1qVyoeKEqFhlP0j866G6p_QzvFjHDOfnouQdfqp76c77zvAVF5sw.c2QOrGz1oIA_ScOmt687E7ewCxOlEH1zF1wW5MdRP_c&dib_tag=se&keywords=Musical+books+story+orchestra&qid=1765266186&sprefix=musical+books+story+irchestra%2Caps%2C75&sr=8-5

Good point about getting her what she's asked for. I wouldn't spend £100 on a snow globe, though!

I actually bought this one for my 5yo DD yesterday:
https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-x-sara-miller-london-woodland-tales-collection-rabbit-snowglobe/p113509932

And there are some lovely Djeco ones, eg
https://smallkins.com/products/djeco-snow-globe-nightlight-unicorn-dd03408

We've got the nutcracker book and I absolutely love it. Very christmassy and they won't grow out of it very quickly

my go to present for 1st birthday is always a scuttle bug

Does it have to be a substantial gift? I would either get a pass to something or put some of the money into bank account.

I’d buy her the tambourine and snow globe and put the rest in the bank or in premium bonds. As my kids have got older, the sheer volume of stuff they had as kids that’s all now dusty in cupboards or long since gone to the charity shop is appalling! They don’t need or even remember most of it, but having savings as young adults is invaluable.

These links are really just spending for the sake of spending but…

https://thekidcollective.co.uk/products/stapelstein-mini-rainbow-classic-set-of-6

https://maisonruekid.com/en-gb/collections/acrylic?srsltid=AfmBOor1DFqdngEGPG4X8RTbkOc0tWDVsg8Xy469w9DgrfjGYVNu24n4

https://www.gltc.co.uk/products/childrens-easel

@greengreengrass3 Is this something for them to take home or keep ar your house?
TBH a Yoto box that gets used once a month seems a bit of a waste.

If its for your place I'd consider scooters but not wildly expensive scooters.

Are they asked for the Snowglobe / Tambourine from Santa? If so I really wouldn't stand on Santa's toes.

Open a premium bond account for each of them. Toys are outgrown really quickly and they sound like they already have plenty. Otherwise I would suggest some piece of outdoor play equipment if they have space e.g mud kitchen, slide, swing set as have much longer play use.

Totally agree the volume of toys in this house is ridiculous, along side other stuff thats been passed on to my kids.

But its depressing when you go to clear stuff out and realise stuff is out grown but hardly used. Its just pointless, much of it buying and giving for the sake of it or because of expectations.

I would too. I would also get the 5 year old some inexpensive toy or books they would like so they could get the fun of unwrapping a gift.
Perhaps an item of clothing for the 1 year old alongside the Premium Bonds.

Surely there are children's savings accounts with better (and guaranteed) interest than Premium Bonds! I have no idea why people are so obsessed with Premium Bonds.

Why not get a beautiful, expensive snow globe which she can keep forever.

We have gifted family passes to a farm park, soft play, zoo and national trust before and all well received.

Other popular gifts have been a wooden swing set for the garden and vouchers for the local shoe shop/ children’s boutique.

Because shes a kid. She'll want a kids one that can be picked up and shook. Not have the adults around her getting all het up incase she drops it. Demolishing it and what ever it lands on

This would be an option too and include the tambourine and a cheap snow globe for the five year old.