I have two sets of friends with two young daughters each. Both have more than enough clothes and toys. One just doesn't have enough space for more toys too. I'm always at a loss of what to get them. Both sets have good incomes so there is no hesitation when they buy something since the money is there.

What about some sort of personalized item? Like something customized with paint pens with their names or a photo on a t-shirt. Other thought for girls, is a dress-up collection of some sort....a box of clothing, jewelry, etc that might not be available as a store-bought thing.

cj/

How about movie passes? Or free rentals at a local Blockbuster with some popcorn?

How old are the kids?

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

A towel with their name on it. The parents like it and so do the kids. I sometimes order from Lands End.

Kids' Home > See All - Lands' End

But PB Kids has free shipping on some beach towel.

pottery barn kids | butterfly beach towel

Books, can't go wrong with those.

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What about something that can be used up, like a bubble bath/lotion gift set for kids, or even a movie and snacks or a gift certificat to McDonalds or Putt Putt or something like that.

what about adopting an animal at the local zoo in their name? Its something they don't already have!

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MyCoupons is #1 for holiday shopping!

The best present my daughters ever got when they were younger was a medium size blue sterilite tub with a top (that had their names written on it in paint pen) and was filled with craft stuff. I mean it had paint,paper towel tubes, googly eyes, a package of computer paper, crayon, markers, toliet paper tubes, magnets, tape and pipe cleaner, tissue paper and I could go on and on. My kids have just about every silly toy or book so this was a great idea. Also, it looked like a huge gift b/c they jsut kept pulling stuff out of it.

I have taken that idea and used it myself for several b-day parties and its always a big hit.

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Vicki


TLJ Women united in Spirit!

I tend to give a lot of ice cream gift certificates in the summer..Dairy Queen, Carvel Ice cream etc..

- Gift cards to food or activity places (restaurants, Blockbuster, movie theater, pool, amusment park, museum, etc.).
- plastic box filled with craft/art supplies (markers, paper, glitter glue, etc.)
- craft kit
- towel for the pool, flip flops (can never have too many pairs <lol>)
- large, multi opening photo frame and a gift card for picture developing (so they can make a photo collage for their room)
- picture frames that match/coordinate the theme of their bedroom
- outdoor consumables like bubbles, sidewalk chalk, etc.
- books

Hope that gives you some ideas......
Sarah......mom to Jason & Devin

I have a niece who's 9 now and while she doesn't have everything, she does have a LOT.

My husband and I have started last birthday, giving her gift cards. This year was Target, but I'd like to ask her Mom for other ideas for stores she might like.

She LOVED it. Loved the idea of going to the store and picking something out with her own "money". She's definately a girly-girl, so shopping is right up her alley.

Whoever suggested g/c's to Blockbuster - they can rent videos OR games, if that's what they're into.

Of course it depends on their age and such, but I don't think you can go very wrong with gift certificates.

Other thing I thought of, but I'm not sure how it would go over would be a savings bond. I thought about doing that for my latest niece. Maybe a small gift and then a savings bond every year. I haven't looked into it much, but something like all maturing when she's 25 or so? All that's probably changed so much since I was little and had them, but it just seemed like a neat thing when my Uncle did it for me.

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I recently bought my kids those new floaty things called underwater skateboards. The kids balance on them at the beach or in a pool. They were a big hit here. Everyone fights over them in our pool. So my kids have given them at the last few b-days they were invited to. I got mine at Target- have also seen them at L-N-T.

We have given our neice a music box every year since she was born.
She is now 20 and has a nice collection.
Ask if there is anything that they collect.

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Square dancing is friendship set to music!

What a nice idea! And I bet it's almost as fun to select one each year as it is for her to receive it!

Thanks for sharing.

cj/

What about one of those kits to raise butterflies? My kids did this in Kindergarten this year and absolutely loved it!! Not only is it fun for them, but also very educational. There are several websites that sell them, but here's one just to give you an idea of price:

Butterfly Kit - Raising Live Butterflies with*Our Butterfly Kits is*FUN!

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Michelle
*Mom to McKenna and Tanyn ~ Nov. 2000 Twins*

Nothing bets a gift card to their favorite store or a visa gift card!!

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Carolyn
At the Jersey Shore

you beat me to the butterfly kit idea! My son received one for his birthday last year and we all loved it. This year it is all he is asking for again. I wouldn't hesitate to give this as a gift for a "kid" of any age.

I actually found mine at BBB with a coupon last year.

I can't stand all the stuff my kids get for their birthdays, as I like to throw big parties. So, since they were little we have friends bring donations for the local Ronald McDonald house. They still get tons of stuff (from us and grandparents) and they get to deliver a car full of goodies for people who need it.

Also, if their birthdays are close together and you can do a group thing you may want to look into a membership to a local zoo or museum...or a GC to have their hair and nails done somewhere. Depending on your relationship with them you could give them a few "coupons" of activities to do with you throughout the year.. bowling, minigolf, baking cookies, watching a movie, etc.

Have fun!

check these out

Grow-A-Head


Pets


we did these with the kids at school this year and they loved it. I bought my boys one yesterday as a fun summer project. The kids can cut the hair and style it as they want. I have seen them with mohawks, ponytails, bows...all kinds of cute things.