Christmas!

[Mumneedshelpxx]

Hi all, I know it’s April (please don’t come at me lol) but at the start of summer I like to get and put a few bits away for Christmas at the end of each month to take the burden off December.

I’m looking for some present ideas for my BG twins (turning 5 in August). Has anyone thought ahead, or maybe has to buy for this age group for birthdays recently?

I was thinking of a Nintendo switch for their main present, but I’m also considering the fact that they can’t read as of yet and that might be better for next year!

Open and grateful for all suggestions!

🐣 🫠

I absolutely would not be getting video games for 5 year olds

scooters would be more appropriate for that age

Can we at least finish Easter before we start thinking about Christmas please?!

Yes, not video games

Suggestions:

C;mon over to the Christmas Topics ( it's under Fun&Games )
There's a long running bargains thread that will give you ideas of things you can buy and put away .

Save money rather than buy things now . Your DC might want something else by December . There will be a newer version out by Black Friday . If you buy electricals now your guarantee starts now so you won't get the full use of the warranty .

I do a Dec 1st Box for my DC ( adults ) Judge away .
I already have a pack of socks for DS ( they are work socks , he'll wear them and they're damned cute )

I’d recommend posting on the Christmas board

They're still only 4.
What is their favourite thing this week might be something they have no interest in next week - let alone in 8 months time.
Toys that might be the "must have" at Christmas might have not even been created yet as fashions/crazes come and go quickly.
New potentially popular books have yet to be published. Films that have merch and tie-in books etc haven't been released yet.
Save money up....but don't buy anything yet.
Seriously.

Thanks all, I very rarely post so wasn’t aware there was a Christmas board! I was thinking the switch as the kids get 30 mins of screen time after dinner on their tablets, was thinking the switch might be a fun alternative. I will pop over to the Christmas board for some ideas 😊

Please ask for this to be moved to the Christmas board (report your own post and request that they move it). You will get a better response there from other people who plan well ahead.

That's way too much at their age. Don't make it harder for the parents by giving more screens

Try a Yoto, op if you don't have one already? No screen but there's draw along/bake along/dance along cards, Disney, marvel, etc. then family can gift cards/subscription/travel cases etc

Mine love love theirs as do I because they get some autonomy, pressing buttons, choosing stories etc and there's no screen. There's another type that I can't remember the name of too

If you’re thinking of buying screens/electronics I would discuss it with the parents first.

If somebody bought my child a games console/phone/tablet then they wouldn’t be allowed to use it and that could cause some tension between me and the person that thinks they’ve bought a generous gift.

I would be delighted with a push scooter/bike/tricycle/books for them at that age.

I’m pretty sure the OP is their mum?

I put things away all year. I grab offers as I see them. For my DD who is the same age as your twins, I have:
One of those big oversized hoodies
A book of princess stories (£1 in b&m!)
2 pairs of PJs (£1.50 and £3)
A costume from a TV show she likes (might give this to her earlier)
A hot chocolate Palm Pal

So it's just about one thing per month that goes into the Christmas drawer, and only when I see a bargain.

Toys she uses a lot are her Yoto, Play-Doh and Polly Pockets.

My DS, at that age, only really wanted to play with little cars!

For that age: fuzzy felt, Lego, markers and colouring books, a teddy, the Humpty Dumpty game, dobble, snakes and ladders,books

That was how I read it too

I’m a single mum with 2 preschoolers and a baby, I also work full time. That 30 minutes is my grace period to allow me to clean up and tidy otherwise I wouldn’t have the time. I understand everyone may not agree, but that’s what works in my house.

Commenting to clarify - I am mum. BG twins are boy girl twins, they’re all mine lol! My above comment was a reply to an above comment, please excuse my lack of ability to use this properly - I rarely post.

I just bought my neice a new play silk and torch for her 5th birthday.

Yotos are great too! The quiz style cards will give you loads of free time!

@Mumneedshelpxx I hope some of the early posters haven’t put you off posting.

There’s nothing wrong with starting early - Christmas is expensive with one dc never mind 3.

What I do is buy stuff that isn’t related to a current fad/interest. My dc is 4 so I’ll likely get a few books, a painting set, some character or colourful vests/socks/pjs, maybe some Lego, puzzle or a game, things he’ll use but isn’t related to his current ‘I like aeroplanes’ phase as that’ll likely be completely over by Christmas.
I’ll start considering a main present/more interest based things in October (here Santa brings a main present and a few associated things - last year was a scooter, helmet, knee and shin pads - and parents get everything else).

For a main present, everyone has their own ideas on screens etc but I would def echo the recommendations of a Yoto. Ours has been here since Christmas 2024 when dc was 2 and it’s very well used. Family have bought different stories and DC loves picking his own story or using it to entertain himself, plus it has an app with podcasts and Yoto radio on so it’ll grow with him.

Just came across this as decided it's May so time to start thinking ahead for Christmas haha. I hope other posters being rude hasn't put you off doing what you want to do OP. Don't let them be judgey. There are plenty of games on switch that would be good for the age and gaming is not intrinsically bad.