Nicole, I also had a bit of a time recovering from wedding watching, and I find it interesting my recovery also involved copious amounts of chocolate! (On a related note, have you read Sophie Page’s light read novel “To Marry A Prince?)
I like Nan’s movie idea for older kids; thx! My guys are still little, and for their friends I have a shelf stocked with generic gifts – copies of our favourite books, blank sketchbooks, washable felts and crayons, and Lego sets (the little ones of 100 pieces or less).
We’re also big fans of Crayola Colour Wonder sets – Cars for the boys and Tinkerbell for the girls.
And a couple of times a year, I stock up on wrapping paper from the dollar store, so although we still have the “what are we going to give” panic, there are usually some options in the house.
I did not watch one bit of wedding coverage (I hope you still like me after reading that 🙂 ).
I have the hardest time buying gifts for other people’s kids. I want it to be the perfect gift for both the kid and the parents. I sometimes spend what feels like hours staring at the stuff on the shelves, leave, think about it, then go back and buy something. It really is a pain so lately I have resorted to gift cards.
I prefer giving educational toys for kids. What’s good about educational toys is that the child can play and learn at the same time. Also, I love giving books with large and colorful illustrations. It may not be of very much interest to children by their parents would surely love their children to receive those kind of gifts. =)
I have major gift giving induced anxiety, too! It’s so stressful! I’ve developed two strategies. For younger kids, bags full of Crayola (b/c I’m highly suspect about the lead content in all other brands) craft supplies, ie construction paper, crayons, paint, brushes, markers, colouring books. For older kids, a gift bag full of junk food (microwave popcorn, soda, licorice, chips, etc) and a movie (usually an older movie from the under $10 bin at Zellers). We call this one “Instant Movie Night. Just Add Family.”
I thought once I had a kid gift buying would be easier but it’s not.
I understand the anxiety. Pass the eggs.
LIsaDay
I thought once I had a kid gift buying would be easier but it’s not.
I understand the anxiety. Pass the eggs.
LIsaDay
Buying gifts for other people’s kids is SO HARD. I’m especially worried about buying them something they already have: like, if I find out from the mom that they like Barbie, isn’t it kind of likely they already have a bunch of the stuff I’m considering?
For younger kids, I like to buy Melissa and Doug stamp sets (washable ink!), or that telescoping set of Crayola Pipsqueaks markers.
For older kids, and so far it’s been older BOYS, we get Sculpey clay kits or robot kits.
For anyone: STOMP ROCKET, BABY.
The wedding was really fun to watch.
I never have a clue about gifts. I figure as long as there is a gift receipt for it, I’m good.
Nan and Swistle – I love those ideas. I love, love, love the idea of a craft bag. My kids go through craft supplies like, um, I don’t know what. They go through them really fast. Plus a clay/sculpt kit, love it.
Sheila – I haven’t read that but I’m going to go look it up! I need some light summer reading ideas.
EDUCATIONAL TOYS? Bleah, they have parents for that. :). I used to have major gift-giving anxiety. I generally give craft kits, books or Chapters cards, unless I get a solid suggestion from the parent, in which case I just enclose the gift receipt. I used to stock up on those Disney Store pajamas whenever they were on sale and they were always a big hit with the younger kids. The best gift I ever gave was Jaws swim trunks and swim shirt to Eve’s friend who’s the ‘girl who likes boy stuff’. She called us specially to thank us for her ‘favourite present ever’. Never gonna top that one.
That’s why I take my boys and say you have X amount to spend on your friend and x amount of time to do it! Go! LOL!
So glad the weather is finally getting better. I think anymore snow and I would have lost my mind!
Our son turned 8 last month and one of the kids gave him a gift card to Toys R Us. It was a little strange but turned out awesome – he was really excited to have his own money to spend and was able to pick out exactly what he wanted (Lego that he didn’t already own, which is hard for someone else to pick out).
I liked the idea so much I think I might do it in the future. You could just pick up a bunch of gift cards and have them on hand and not even have to shop when the time arises.
The only real drawback is that I usually buy birthday gifts based on what’s on sale, which ideally saves us a little money. The gift cards are a fixed price…but still cool and stress-free, so it’s maybe worth it.
My girls are 9, 7, and 4. The older two have a new “favourite present.” It’s a Chapter’s gift card, accompanied by a $5 Starbucks card. Every Chapters has a Starbucks.
It’s awesome to watch the decision making process as they choose their book/toy, and then head over to order a strawberry frappechino.
It’s a huge treat!