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Christmas

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Original poster

Substantial gift for 1 year old and 5 year old nieces

63 replies

greengreengrass3 · 08/12/2025 20:32

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

OP posts:
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GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 09/12/2025 09:23

I can only tell you what my 5 year old Gdd picked out of the Argos catalogue - I’d asked both her and dd1, but nothing was forthcoming.

So now there a ‘My Really Real Puppy!’ in his ‘carrier’, all wrapped up. Obviously pretty trashy, but she’s only 5….

I sent a pic of it to dd2 (in her 40s). who replied, ‘OMG! I’d have loved that!’ 😂

user1492757084 · 09/12/2025 09:41

Annual pass to the local animal park/zoo.
Membership to a swimming pool.
Swimming lessons.
Bike, scooter, small trampolene, swiming pool, sandbox, slide.
The snow dome and tambourine.
Good shoes or boots for the eldest.
Budgerigars in a cage.

WingsTingle · 09/12/2025 09:56

Flibbertyfloo · 08/12/2025 21:12

Don't get something expensive for the sake of it. Get them some lovely things to open and whack the rest in a stocks and shares ISA. That will be much more useful to them in life.

This. You may not get the same ‘thrill’ of giving a substantial gift each year, but trust me, the disappointment of seeing lovingly thought out, painstakingly purchased (and expensive!) toys barely being used is horrible - the waste 😞
I wish I’d dialled back during my children’s younger years and put more into their savings for their young adult years - it would have been so much more useful, longer lasting and exciting for them (and me!)

HarryVanderspeigle · 09/12/2025 11:04

The happiest I have ever seen a child with a present I gave was when they opened a pack of 6 bubbles pots f4om the supermarket. Only a few pounds, but genuinely excited. It is lovely that you are being so generous, but it might be wasted if it not what they want. I am sure the 5 year old will love the tambourine and snow globe.

bridgetreilly · 09/12/2025 11:19

I would not get her anything beyond the tambourine and snow globe. She’ll love them. Then a cheque or cash to go into a savings account. Children do not need more stuff just for the sake of it. For the little one, I would do similar.

ChloeMorningstar · 09/12/2025 11:31

Isadora2007 · 08/12/2025 20:35

At that price I’d ask the parents… the one year old likely won’t need much tbh but what about a nice pram for a doll for the older child and a buggy and wee doll for the younger?

Gorgeous heirloom pieces by Olli Ella- pull along wagon for the 45 year old and a luggy for the little one.

Or a large Grimms rainbow or building blocks set.

not sure a 45 year old would want a pull along wagon?

I'd go with premium bonds personally

MrsMAFs · 09/12/2025 11:34

Toniebox for 1 year old Yoto player for the older one. With some charachters / cards.

Needspaceforlego · 09/12/2025 11:57

WingsTingle · 09/12/2025 09:56

This. You may not get the same ‘thrill’ of giving a substantial gift each year, but trust me, the disappointment of seeing lovingly thought out, painstakingly purchased (and expensive!) toys barely being used is horrible - the waste 😞
I wish I’d dialled back during my children’s younger years and put more into their savings for their young adult years - it would have been so much more useful, longer lasting and exciting for them (and me!)

Show quote history

I'm so glad I am not alone. Its depressing moving on toys that are outgrown without much use.
At one point we had 3 different Thomas the Tank trainsets, a wooden one, a plastic take n play and another plastic one that we inherited. A pure waste.

@greengreengrass3 you are being really really kind and generous with that budget. But really if your spending £100, what are the parents, grandparents and other Aunties and Uncles all spending.

Thats the bigger picture no 5 year old needs £500 worth of Christmas presents and then the same again at Birthday.

The second child needs even less, as big things like dolls prams, bikes and scooters get passed down as they are outgrown.

florasl · 09/12/2025 18:00

I’d really swerve Olliella, the quality is rubbish now. The last two toys we received have fallen apart in days. We also have the wagon and luggy, they are never used.

I would get a really big box of connetix or magnatiles for the 5 year old (and one year old), they are a great versatile toy that can be used in a huge amount of ways. For the one year old, I’d get the age specific lovevery box.

Original poster
greengreengrass3 · 09/12/2025 20:35

Thanks everyone for your help with this, I never expected so many responses so huge thanks!

We already put money away for them both each month, we have our own savings accounts for them.

They have aunts on their other side who give lovely gifts but they have their own children too whereas they are the only children on our side of the family and we’re the aunt and uncle that spoil rotten right or wrong 🫣

We took our older niece to the panto last weekend, and we take her own each month.

There’s some brilliant ideas here, that I’m going to go though now whilst DH watching the football, I’m sure by the end of the night I’ll be sorted.

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 09/12/2025 22:29

Do let us know what you decide to go for!

You sound like an absolutely wonderful aunt and uncle. They're lucky to have you spending the time with them, more than anything Smile

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