11yr old, 9 yr old twins and 2 year old: please help

[geranium]

I would be grateful for help to achieve an annual dreaded task.

I have 4 nephews and nieces (well distant cousins but given the age difference I call them nephews and nieces) and I rarely see them since they live abroad and keep moving (army family). Each year I think I would like to get each child a small but nice present and each year I have no idea what they like so end up sending book tokens or money. I hate doing this: so impersonal.

I would be really grateful if people could come up with suggestions for presents for an 11.5 year old girl, 9.5 year old twin boys and a 2.5 year old boy. 2.5 year old apparently likes to put things together (always described as being a future engineer!) but then maybe all small boys are like this. Otherwise, have no clue to personalities except that I don't want to risk books or music (I know they have loads). Perhaps clothes or is that too risky for today's fashion-conscious kids?

Would be most grateful for ideas. I know it is a bit early but I would also like to catch the overseas posting dates for once this year! Any ideas gratefully received so I can retrieve my reputation at least once in the present giving line.

11.5 year old girl Jewellery (says my 11 yo)
9.5 boys are they into sport, music... maybe you could get them some jeans
2.5 y o boy some lego

What kind of jewellry/bags etc? I've got a 2 year old boy myself so feel really out of touch with girls. A nice bracelet or necklace? glitzier the better or are they getting more tasteful by that age?

On the twins, I don't think they are particularly sporty. I seem to remember my brother use to make kits of stuff - castles and kings - building and then painting the figures but I can't remember at what age he did this.

thanks Kama

DD1 (11) says you should get her a necklace and a bracelet. Claire's Accessories is the place to go. Put in a lovely satin/chiffon bag.

Thanks MarsLady. I look forward to Claire's Accessories. I think it is likely to be full of the sort of stuff I longed for as a child and which my parents would never buy me so I look forward to buying it for my neice. Lego for the little one is always useful I think. Still not sure about the twin boys. Maybe somekind of chemistry kit (where you build bombs/make smells/generally make a mess)? I know I'd have liked that and if their Mum doesn't, at least I will be too far away to know.

you can get those kits in toyshops... not quite the stuff of Woolies I think...but I could be wrong. Try to get them different kits, even if on the same theme. Hard enough being a twin without having to have everything the same.

Sorry, MarsLady, one other basic question. Should the bag have short handles (to dangle from the arm) or long straps over the shoulder or is there only one type of satiny bag there? Sorry to ask but feeling nervous about buying her the "wrong" thing.

don't apologise.

The satin bag was just a gift bag. To make the packaging look pretty.

However, DD1 and her mates all seem to like tiny little handbags with animals on (and some diamante). Bless!

MarsLady,

Just wanted to say thanks for the advice. Went to "Claire's" today. I picked out a necklace and bracelet and asked a nearby 12 year old and her Mum if they thought the presents were ok. The girl said they were great and she would have liked them herself although they could have been even better in pink! Can't bring myself to buy the pink stuff - not nearly so nice and the blue of the necklace and bracelet will hopefully match niece's eyes. Also bought pink pen and pink makeup set (which her Mum will hate) to add a bit of pinkness to the present.

So thanks again for the advice. Great shop. I even bought some jewellry for myself .

Just the boys to do now and then I can send the parcel off and concentrate on more immediate family.

You're welcome!

I have a 9.5 year old boy who is not into sport or clothes and Lego always goes down well with him. In fact, any construction toy would do: Meccano, Lego Technik, Magnetix maybe (although it is ludicrously expensive). Also Airfix models (which are surprisingly cheap) and anything mechanical. Hope that helps.

Oh saw you mentioned chemsitry sets earlier. Yes that is another thought, although my ds1 hasn't got round to his chemistry set which he had for his birthday as it needs parental involvement and a warm sunny day (to take it outside!) Ds2 (coming up to 8) desperately wants a crystal growing kit but I can only find ones for children aged 12 plus. Still, might do for your nephews?

Thanks LonelyMum. By coincidence I was suggesting a crystal growing kit to dh yesterday. GLTC has one for 10 year olds. May look at Airfix too.

Thanks both of you for all your help. Now any suggestions on dh's present.....?

GLTC? What does that stand for please? (although my ds2 is only 8, I might risk a crystal growing set for 10 years plus).

sorry, Great Little Trading Company. The crystal growing set is £14.99, I think, but you do have to pay a delivery charge on top. The gltc catalogue has various experiments for 8 year olds - usually making slime or pumping (fake) blood through a (fake) heart to show you how the body works. You might want to check those out first? Should all be on their website (you can go to it through Mumsnet) and look for Education and Science. Wish I'd found some of the stuff ages ago. Ds is too young and these twins are now too old for a lot of it.

Thanks I will look at it, but definitely the crystal growing set and not the slime of fake blood stuff. I have tried to get ds2 into the idea of being a doctor and he is not interested! but the crystals are a major interest. So I know he is going to be a boring scientist in a lab when he grows up rather than a sexy Dr Kildare!