I know its still ages away but christmas...

[lola0109]

For a 9 month old?

DD1 will be 28 months at christmas and DD2 will be 9 momths.

DD1 is getting a kitchen (but only if its still half price in the sale tomorrow) and a bike and some few bits and bobs, books etc.

DD2 is getting...no bloody idea! Any suggestions??

DD1 has a smart trike that has sat in our hallway since we bought it (used regularly but thats where we store it). Her birthday is spetember but we'd like her to have a new bike for spring/summer so getting her a bike. We all have bikes so this will be well used.

DD2 will get her smart trike and usually I'd have no problems rewrapping this but as I said, it's in our hallway so DD1 would twig.

DD2 has a lot of toys passed down from DD1 but I'd like to get her something age appropriate of her own. She is practically crawling and I think will be a quick walker like her sister and we have a walker and a push along toy for her.

So any suggestions on things you got for your own DC's at this age and how used/appreciated they were?

TIA

Re the trike, get a nice new hooter or little dolly basket for it and let dd1 "in" on the secret that it is being done up nicely for her sister? (or will that spoil any Father Christmas type beliefs?)

We bought very practical things for dd2's first Christmas. One thing i remember was a very pretty cutlery set. dd1 also went out with me (she was nearly 4 at the time) and chose a lovely book and cuddly toy for her sister) :) I have very happy memories of dd1 helping ot make things nice for dd2's first Christmas.

tbh your older dd won't notice the value of what you buy dd2. Get nice toiletries possibly (we used to get lovely organic body wash etc that was a treat) If you want to spend the same money on them both then put any money you haven't spent on the younger one in her bank account.

We have a ride on toy that stays in the house that ds3 (nearly 4) still plays on.

I guess wheely bugs are the modern equivalent of the toy that we have (bought when ds1 was little, 8 years ago!) On the attached website, we have something like the first toy which has been very popular and also the ninth which has always been kept in our garden and is v popular. Do like the look of number 4 though!

Finally, don't underestimate the enjoyment that your dd will get out of handing down her toys. The trike will be a gift from her to dd2, you might encourage her altruism by agreeing what ds2 will get her?!

Thanks for replies.

OPOL I'm not too bothered about the money value TBH as DD1 only got a few wee things on her 1st xmas as she was only 4 months old. I'd just like to get something useful.

I'm going to sound like a mean mummy here but I have an average sized house that is full of s* so I had a massive clear out and got rid of the tat. Now i only keep the toys out that the kids love, DD1 loves blocks/jigsaws etc. I have no space for any toys that won't be used! I know that the girls will get lots from family (although I have hinted clothes) so I don't like them to get too much.

DD1 is just getting into the santa thing, I'm hamming it up as she is giving him her dummies (hopefully) so I think doing up the trike will ruin that but might possible do that on boxing day or day after, head out and let her buy her sister something for it.

Bosch, I like the look of one too. I also liked the look of two but don't want to spend that much. We also have nine in our garden :) Both love it. i was thinking something like a swing but her birthday is in april so need to keep some ideas for that :) I think I might look for one! Thanks.

Could you tell DD1 a week or so before Christmas that you're sending the trike off to Santa's workshop so the elves can fix it up for DD2? If Santa is willing to collect dummies, I'm sure he'd accept a trike for repairs :) Is there somewhere you could hide it that she won't see? Like lollipop said you could add bells & whistles to it and it would still be a surprise on Christmas to see what Santa and the elves did to the trike for DD2.

Unless she's an exceptionally suspicious 28 month old, I'm sure she'll fall for it :)

She is very clever so would notice it going missing from hall and then showing up and would know it was hers BUT is quite gullible, as all 2 yo are I suppose, so that would be a good idea to send it away, she'd believe that! I don't know if I should maybe mention a new bike from santa then say "oh so you could give wee sis your bike as a present". Even though she'll be getting a shiny new one she can be quite selfish territorial, so preparing her might lessen the tantrum!

I'd still like to get DD2 something though £30-£40 budget max! Otherwise it creeps into the budget I set aside for going clothes shopping for them in the sales! :)

Our DD (1yo) loves the Usborne Touch & Feel books and is just getting into HappyLand and Duplo. Are there toys your DD1 has already that DD2 would enjoy, that you could add to (like some HappyLand people)?

OH DD2 loves the happyland people, unfortunately DD1 doesn't like her touching them, she knocks them down etc (she's still only 6 months) :) But thats a great idea and if DD2 has some of her own then DD1 might be more inclined to let play.

Thanks, thats a brilliant idea! Plus I have the 20% off voucher from the Muller yogurts that ends soon I think.

We have loads of books, its the one thing that my two girls will sit and happily do together, so books are on the list for both!