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Back in the hazy days of summer when Christmas was but a distant memory, GE Money approached Mumsnet to help them develop a new financial product for mums. As part of the exercise we asked the GE Money Mums (Gemms) that we recruited from Mumsnet for their top Christmas present recommendations. Now as Christmas looms into view and the panic sets in, we thought it was worth sharing some of the best suggestions. If you want to add a few inspirational thoughts of your own, do post them here
For Babies
"Big empty boxes wrapped up (or containing more empty but wrapped boxes) - they love unwrapping but aren't that bothered by the actual present." GemmDogwood
"Shape sorter toys, they can chew the shapes while teething and as they grow and develop they may even manage to "post" them through the holes assuming they haven't been lost by then!" GemmSnowdrop
"A personalised blanket - a unique keepsake and useful too. They usually get far too many toys and clothes." GemmPansy
"Cloth and bath books - keeps them entertained and makes you feel good about starting their education early." GemmSorrel
"A Christmas tree decoration of their own - a nice tradition to start to collect one every year, then when they get older they can have them for their own tree." GemmDaffodil
Top tip:
"Unless you really despise the parents, don't buy anything with annoying electronic tunes." GemmWillow
Toddlers and pre-schoolers
"Duplo or Lego - simply the best gift ever and its usefulness grows with them." GemmLobelia
"Thomas & Friends Aqua Draw is great - it encourages creativity, you get a train to play with and you can take it to friends/relatives and know they can't make a mess." GemmBlackberry
"Push along pram - toddlers love something to push and pre-schoolers love to imitate the grown ups. Boys seem just as chuffed as girls with this and it's great for getting reluctant walkers to keep walking." GemmPachysandra
"Tricycle or bike without pedals - from about age two, anything that tires them out, while also allowing the parent to get out of the house without a tantrum will always be welcome." GemmCherry/GemmLaurel
"Home made books with photos of family members/special people in them (particularly good if they don't live near family) or a personalized book, with their name in it." GemmPeriwinkle
Top tip:
"Don't forget to buy and include batteries and unbox and remove all the plastic ties before you wrap, saves a lot of pain and whinging on Christmas morning." GemmKiwi
Girls aged 4-8
"Doll's house or if you want to spend less - tea set - most girls (and quite a few boys!) like playing house (till they get older and realise it's all drudgery...)" GemmLobelia
"Dressing up outfits: fairies, princesses, dare I say Disney princesses. Hours of entertainment and good for their imaginations." GemmSweetpea
"Karaoke machine. Not everyone's taste, but my daughter loves singing and this way she can also see herself on TV. Adults may also find they want to enter into some festive cheer." GemmLaurel
"A bike - it's the age when they start to think about taking stabilizers off, and who doesn't remember getting a bike for Christmas?" GemmOlive
"Arts and crafts stuff, like learn to knit sets (great for involving Granny on Christmas day) or paint a tea set. Good for entertaining them during those long school Christmas holidays." GemmGooseberry
Top tip:
"If you're buying for a friend or relative's little girl, do find out what 'kind' of girl they are - don't assume they'll all thank you for everything pink, sparly and Bratz/Barbie-like... some girls have taste even at this early age, and at some stage nearly all of them grow out of pink, so what worked last year may not be right this time around." GemmKiwi
Boys aged 4-8
"An annual pass to something like a zoo or equivalent that is nearby. At most attractions you end up paying exorbitant entrance fees from age three - an annual pass means you can go just for an hour or two, which is often all you need." GemmCamelia
"Dinosaurs, snakes, lizards, robots - small versions of any of these - or if you really want to please all the 'boys' in the house a Roboraptor!" GemmPumpkin
"A junior scalextric - guaranteed to get dad involved as well." GemmSweetpea
"A big marble run set is great, satisfies the construction urge, encourages creativity and can produce exciting results." GemmAzalea
"Top Trumps - something to suit every interest and still as popular as it was when we were kids." GemmCyprus
Top Tip:
"If you don't know the child that well, don't be afraid to give gift tokens. At this age they know what they like and most boys still think shopping is a treat (enjoy this while it lasts...)." GemmWheat
Girls aged 8-12
"A sticker or badge maker - something they'll like but can use to reflect their particular tastes be it footballers or ponies!" GemmSpirea
"Jewellery or a really nice jewellery box - something girlie that will last." GemmLaurel
"If you can get over the hurdle of children in this age-range wanting the latest 'whatever', I'd give them the chance to become passionate about a hobby. What do they love most of all in the world? If it's horses, then a course of riding lessons, if it's music, then a course of lessons on the instrument of their choice. Things I loved at this age and took further, ie, had lessons, have 're-surfaced' in my life in my 20's and 30's and were never wasted time or money." GemmIvy
"Tamagotchi or similar kind of gismo - fulfilling the cuteness/longing for a pet requirement and adding a chatting/interacting with friends element. Perfect." GemmJasmine
"Girlie stationary/diary/novel writing set, or beat the stereotype and go for a chemistry set - girls are allowed to like science too!" GemmDogwood
Top tip:
"Almost all girls of this age like new clothes, but they don't all like the same clothes! If you do want to go this route go for vouchers or take them shopping and let them choose." GemmMayflower
Boys aged 8-12
"Activity based equipment like roller blades, skateboards, or the latest thing Heelys (trainers with wheels in the heels)." GemmWillow
"Boys still like to build things at this age and Lego has something for any age and development. Toys that go with films, like Harry Potter or Star Wars are a good bet." GemmQuince
"The Science Museum have some fantastic kits and gadgets that are educational and fun and will keep them busy and out of the way! They're also appropriate for girls." GemmPumpkin
"A remote control helicopter. My son has one and all the men in our family love it." GemmPansy
"Books especially joke books! Helps to encourage them to read and close that gap of reading ages between girls and boys." GemmSorrel
Top tip:
"If you're buying computer games, don't just check what games he already has, check the format he wants it on, Nintendo, Playstation etc.. one size doesn't fit all." GemmSpirea
Teens
"If they don't already have one an iPod shuffle is a great present. Nice and small and not too expensive." GemmBryony
"Something grown up that builds on something they are already interested in, whether that's a small digital camera, proper cookery stuff so they feel grown up. But also buy something small but fun/silly so they know that they're still (and always will be) your little girl/boy." GemmDaffodil
"An experience you know they'd like, whether it's a spa day with a friend or something more exotic like being a zoo keeper for a day." GemmPachysandra
"Vouchers or cash. Let them have the fun (and education) of spending the money - rather than you get them things you think they 'need'!" GemmIvy
Tickets to a concert or play, cinema or theme park vouchers, or top up tokens for their mobile phone." GemmPeriwinkle
Top tip:
"If they're a true teen, whatever you get them it won't be right so you might as well just hand over the dosh and be grateful if the scowl doesn't freeze your soul." GemmAcer
Husbands/partners
"Books you want to read. Season 7 of The West Wing, Seinfeld whatever it is you like and/or some expensive wine. Basically things you can both share and enjoy, without having to get a sitter!" GemmClover
"Gadgets - basically anything with Sony or Apple on it - or torches (every year - does he eat them?)." GemmAzalea
"Personalised gifts like mouse mat/mug etc with children's pictures on them or a subscription to a magazine." GemmSnowdrop
"Sat nav system, in my case so I no longer have to be the one reading the map (wrongly might I add). This may well save our marriage." GemmCherry
"Gifts that pamper but for boys, whether he's a spa treatment kind of chap, a sporting type - kite surfing lesson - or a speed freak. And then make sure you give him 'time off' from the family to go and use the gift." GemmPrimrose
Top tip:
"Organise something for the two of you to enjoy together - a theatre or cinema trip, meal out, weekend away with babysitting all lined up. If you keep on doing it he might even get the hint and do it for you one day." GemmCamelia
Grandparents
"Something to make their lives easier/richer. For my gran's birthday I paid for a gardener. Last year I got her a reflexology voucher, something she'd never tried before." GemmCactus
"Personalised calendars with pictures of the children, or a personalized mug." GemmFleur
"Luxury food hamper from somewhere like Harrods, or a weekend away to see a show. I think grandparents should experience the finer things in life as they have done their hard work and now should sit back and relax (plus it's a good example to set your kids for when you're grandparents!) GemmMimosa
"Boasting books, full of pictures from the year, or a home made DVD/Video." GemmCyprus
"A digital camera to drag them into the 21st century, or if they're already there a book or magazine about computers to help them to learn how to sort out their computer problems on their own!" GemmJasmine
Top tip:
"When your child is old enough, get them to make a Christmas decoration that grandparents can hang on their tree. Write the date on the back and it will take pride of place every year." GemmCamelia
You
"A (few) voucher(s) for a lie in with guaranteed no interruptions!" GemmCamelia
"Some pampering sessions to use throughout the year. If you just get one you always save it up and never want to use it." GemmLobelia
"A weekend away in a luxury family hotel complete with spa - that way I get to spend fun, quality time with my family but also get to relax and have some well earned pampering." GemmSweetpea
"Small stocking fillers that I wouldn't buy myself because they are unessential, such as fancy soaps, candles, posh tights, a book - oh and the promise of some time to read it! Plus a Yoga course." GemmCyclamen
"I would love fashionable clothes that wash well and are sick proof and some time off to pamper or be pampered without feeling guilty about it. GemmMayflower
Top Tip
"Leave a copy of these top tips lying around. It might spoil the surprise for him, but at least you might get what you want! PS Husband, if you're reading this please don't buy me anything for the house!" GemmKiwi
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