Christmas Present Ideas

[rosehip]

Just got all the usual Christmas Catalogues to browse through and there are sooooo many things to choose. Wonder what is going to be 'top toy' this year. My children are DD 6 and DS 27months. Most things I seem to buy they always lose all the bits or only play with for a few minutes (DD is getting better!!) Anyone got any tips/ideas for my DS to avoid expensive errors. I think it's quite difficult until they reach 3.

Rosehip, the thing that went down best of all with my ds from 2 yrs old was a wooden train set - his grandad bought him a very basic Brio and we've added to it since with Tesco stuff etc. Ds loved it (played with it every single day at 2-3 yrs old), and still plays with it now at just turned 5. Dd, who is nearly 3, also loves it and plays with it almost every day. Ds remembers fondly that his baby sister bought him Thomas, Annie and Clarabel when she was born - also that he was given Henry when he had his operation at 2yrs 5 months. It has been such good value, and I'm definitely keeping it in the attic to be part of my 'Granny box' for any grandchildren I may one day have .

Thanks for that. Had thought about a train set but again, soooo many on the market. I take it that the Tesco trains 'fit' the original Brio track, same for ELC?? Will probably buy a small set then add to it. Silly question but how do you store it or do you keep it all out all the time on a board/table?

rosehip, we've had Brio for about 18 years now so have accumulated quite a lot. We keep ours in 2 large Addis plastic crates - the stackable ones. Designing the track (right round the bedroom, in and out of legs of bed etc) is part of the fun, once the kids are a bit older, then when they've played with the current layout enough you can stash it all away till next time.

(The crates are good for Lego too - another long-term investment. Also for cars/lorries etc.)

Agree agree re the Brio. I made a rather excellent track (if I do say so myself) just this afternoon actually. Felt very proud and may apply for a job as a railway designer/engineer on the basis of this newly gained expertise.

I have just brought my 2 year old dd a 80pc wooden train set from ASDA for £13.50 !! includes two bridges, 2 trains and 4 carriages,level crossing, she adores it !! it's BRIO compatible and a right old bargain!!

I have seen people advertising them on E-Bay and selling them for £30 - £40.

More hear hears for a train set! We bought a basic one from Tesco last Christmas (ELC/Brio, etc. are all compatible) and ds is now completely and utterly train bonkers! I would even say a little too over the top at times - his dad is keen on train photography and has a video of real train traction, which he himself has only watched twice. DS got hold of it and plays it over and over again - arghh!

jodee, if you want to vary things a little, there are loads of videos of old trains - LNER, LMR, GWR etc etc etc - TJ Hughes is a great source, if you have one near you, as theirs are about 1/3 the price of other places. My DS2 (9 1/2 now) received them for birthday and Christmas for 3 or 4 years and was always thrilled with them (has grown out of them now - watches Man Utd vids instead - a bit sad really!)

He still plays with his Brio sometimes though.

Rosehip, sometimes you can pick up Brio etc at car boots or nearly new sales - good for adding to track. If your ds takes to it like mine did, it also give plenty of ideas for subsequent birthdays/Christmases - add a bridge, tunnel or station.

I should also add that the train set has kept dh occupied for hours also, devising more and more intricate tracks .

Does anyone know where to buy different or really gorgeous bean bags either for children or not.I've got them in mind but a lovely one in fake fur or something would be lovely?

I think I have seen fake-fur type beanbags in the McCord's catalogue - I think the website is emmcord.co.uk but I'm not sure. Have you tried Next or Debenhams or somewhere like that?

i'm pretty sure ikea has them.

Thanks,I'll check them out.

Katman I haven't tried them no.I'll have a butchers when in town.I don't get in very often and usually like to know where I can get stuff first rather than trawling round everywhere.Any excuse to go in Next though.

Don't know if you have a 'Dunelm Mill' near to you but I'm pretty sure they sell the faux fur and animal print bean bags (plus some other lovely things too ...)