apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Love that tea set! Adorable.

On our list:

* Wheely Bug Cow (already purchased)
* Melissa & Doug Giant Giraffe
* Land of Nod Play Teepee
* Radio Flyer All-Terrain Steel and Wood Wagon
* Remo Drums (lollipop, floor tom, etc)

the thought of bringing more toys into the house . . . not appealing. art supplies, yes. books, too, if we get rid of some of the more babyish ones on the shelf.

does anyone have ideas for clutter-free kid gifts? i can't think of any "consumables" other than art supplies.

I'm with you doubledutch, I've been racking my brain to come up with things to put on my five and three year olds christmas list. I love the idea of "experience" gifts or whatever, but not sure that my lil ones will "get" it. I envision my three year old opening a piece of paper and us telling her, "Yeah! You get to go to the museum with Nanny! Well...no, not right now" and I picture her little confused face. hahaha! I've put some magazine subscriptions on their list. I'll be interested to hear if anyone else has any other ideas!

I dread getting toys, too. How about....horse riding lessons with the helmet she'll need, signing her up for softball with a bat and glove wrapped up nice, or a road trip with a small kit of car activities? Or an apron and a date with mom to make cookies, a flower press and a date with dad to take a nature walk, ballet lessons and an adorable tutu....I could keep going but not without coffee. :)

oh that's right! i did ask for a family membership to the aquarium one year. there was nothing wrapped up for them to associate with that, but that would be easy to do, using an object that symbolizes it (even stickers would work).

magazine subscriptions are a great idea because you can give one issue and then tell them that they'll get a new one in the mail every month or two.

we only give each child one gift or, last year, a shared gift. they're overwhelmed with gifts from the grandparents - those are the people i need a list for. dates for outings or sleepovers would be good.

Please - I've asked the entire family countless times to "give the gift of time" for my boys. They'd love nothing more than "a day out with ____" or to be taken to a movie or the zoo. Yet, this year will be another TOY FEST 2009 for the record books. Good thing Goodwill always needs donations.

My kids would love some books and art supplies too - how does that come out sounding like "Nintendo DS"? Anyone else have this issue? It tends to be quantity over quality year after year.

I agree, it’s always a uphill struggle to decided what to get Kids for Christmas, however as I was searching about on the web for gift ideas I found Handpicked Collection. Their Christmas gift idea finder is helping me a lot.