Just thought I'd throw a question out to you all: Any suggestions as to what we could buy Seth (almost 7.5 years old) for Christmas this year?
In addition to two or three small items (a book as well as a book of mazes), we like to purchase one larger gift for each kid, for approx. $50-60. We have something for Matthew and something for Lizzie, but we're stumped about Seth. There's so much that Seth has had access to already because he and Matthew share toys that Matthew had before Seth came home; things such as hot wheels stuff, k'nex, perplexus and other games. So what special thing might light up Seth's eyes on Christmas morning?
Suggestions?
ooh I am going to be watching the comments on this one...we need some ideas too.
ReplyDeleteI am considering a wooden marble run from Lee Valley for Will.
We are having a tricky time thinking of gifts for our 18 month old foster son. We have a lot of toys, and he is more a do-er than a play-er but we will want to send him with something special from us when he goes back to his birthmom.
I'd love to hear what you decide on for Seth!
Leanne
Lee Valley has SUCH awesome stuff don't they? There are a couple of tiny things I'll be picking up from there as stocking stuffers!
ReplyDeleteMatthew's bigger gift will be a boys' watch this year because now that he can tell analog and digital time he's really wanting to wear a watch. Lizzie's bigger gift will be a CD player b/c she's dying to listen to audio books. So the gift we get for Seth I would like to be less toy-ish and more a special something. Aahh...I'm so stumped!
Leanne, let's both hope that we get some ideas from comments left here! Did I even know that you have a foster child? That's awesome!
Ruth
What about a digital camera for kids? http://digital-cameras-for-children-review.toptenreviews.com/
ReplyDeleteor a kids MP3 player? http://www.sweetpeatoyco.com/ca/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=65
or a junior metal detector or telescope?
http://www.basspro.com/Bounty-Hunter-Junior-Metal-Detector/product/63730/
I always love Playmobil or Lego, but those are both "toyish", so not much help! My nephew really wants something called Nanodots which are magnetic building balls, which might be fun for Seth. Or what about a Pogo stick or stilts as he's a pretty athletic little guy? I also just saw at the toy store downtown wonderful science kits that rebuild some of Davinci's experiments (e.g. a wooden catapault- so cool!). Now, if anyone knows what to get my husband, that would be a HUGE help :)
ReplyDeleteHmm...these are great ideas...keep 'em coming. I'll let you know what we decide on.
ReplyDeleteRuth
Hi Ruth.
ReplyDeleteI second the camera idea. My Cody, who is a lot like Seth and a couple months older tha Matthew, LOVES having a camera. It has allowed him to make connections with people and was a Godsend when we went to the Maritimes a year and a half ago so that he could meet extended family for the first time. Every time we entered a new situation he'd pull out the camera which kind of acted as a shield until he was comfortable. It also was an icebreaker for conversations with many great-aunts/uncles (and some "great-greats"). He still pulls out his camera regularly. He also takes some really neat pictures, taken from a very different perspective than mine.
As for Cody, I'll be watching the suggestions you get too as his top request just does not fit with our family values...
Ellen
Thanks Ellen!!
ReplyDeleteBut you've left me curious - what was his top request??
Ruth
Ok - his top request is a Nintendo DS. I just so totally resent the money pit they become for new and "better" games as well as the time it can take away from interacting with family.
ReplyDeleteAny suggestions for a less brain-numbing present that is exciting?
TOtally agree ELlen!
ReplyDeleteWhat about a Perplexus game - my 8-year-old has the mid-level and the hard-level versions and loves them. It's like a 3D puzzle in a ball, where you try to get a ball to find a specific number of places to accumulate points. No batteries; purely skill-based. The hardest level one, which is one of the ones Matthew has, is pretty hard, but it's forced him to work on it. They cost between $18-29 depending on the level. Chapters sells them, amazon sells them, probably other stores too. We've given two away for birthday presents (to 7- and 8-year old boys) and apparently they love them, too.
That's just one idea!
Ruth
Well, I thought of a pogo stick too. I also thought of all those Wii games that are physical but if that's too video game related, nix that! :) I thought of maybe a Flip video camera so the boys could record their sillinesses.
ReplyDeleteWell, a couple of stocking stuffer ideas. A box of bandaids, a roll of tape. What kid doesn't want to plaster himself/everything around with either of those?? My 11 year old boy is really into Lego, and stop motion animation, so a camera & Lego works well for him. How about a skateboard/longboard kind of idea if he doesn't have that already? With the accompanying wristpads & kneepads. :)
ReplyDeleteAnother thought is something remote control? Like a helicopter or monster truck of his own?
ReplyDeleteHi Ruth,
ReplyDeleteI think you just solved a mystery for me...Dora has been talking about a "maze ball" that she plays with at her friend's place...I think it could be the perplexus...off to confirm with her friend's mom and email grandma the wishlist!! :)
yes, we have a little guy Izaiah that came to us June 29 and he is absolutely a joy. We have been so blessed to have him. He will be heading back to his first mom at some point, I think in the next few months as she is doing quite well.
Hey Leanne -
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that you have Izaiah - I hope that continues to go really well, and that the transition to his first family at some point goes smoothly - for you and for him/them. Would a small sleeve-type of hardy photo album be something to give him (with pictures of him and you) for Xmas? Along with a small toy?
And I'm glad if I've been able to solve the mystery - yeah, Matthew loves his two.
Ramona/Kristin, we have a pogo stick already - otherwise it would be a great idea b/c Seth is sooo active/energetic. The boys love it - they're even using it on the snowy driveway these days.
Leanne, I was looking at the marble run from Lee Valley tools and was thinking about that, too - but I casually showed the magazine to the boys and when they got to that picture, they both thought it was for babies! I totally disagree, but also don't want to get them a toy they think is way too young for them. To me, that toy looks awesome - I'D love to play with it!!
Katie and Mrs. Changstein, thanks for the great ideas! And I laughed about the band aid and tape ideas - you're right - the kids would love those kinds of things and it's awesome because they're always needed anyway!
Ramona, I don't even know what a flip thingee is...will look that up.
And Katie (again!), I love the idea of a telescope, though I'll probably be buying one of those for our h/school next year. Digital camera is an option that he'd love and that I'm thinking about - I have two hesitations about it: 1) If you knew how snoopy Seth is, you'd know that we'll be dealing with lots of naked-in-the-shower footage and underwear shots, etc. 2) He's going to drive me crazy with wanting me to put the pictures on the computer and it'll be ME having to deal with that. So before I decide on that one, I need to be prepared to deal with some of the fall-out! :)
Thanks everyone - keep the ideas rolling! We could form a Christmas support group for ideas!
Ruth
Hi Ruth,
ReplyDeleteMore ideas for you- Seth may enjoy Wedgits if you don't have them already. I highly recommend them. They are building blocks that come with cards of 3D shapes to make, and range from easy to really hard. My kids love them, and they are good for sorting, spacial awareness, etc. We also just bought 2 excellent games, 1 is called Spot It ($13) which is a really fun family game for all ages, and the other is QBitz where you have to recreate visual patterns (this may be more of a family gift as well, as I'm sure Seth won't know what it is when he opens it!). A small microscope could also be fun.
Awesome Kristin! THanks - I haven't heard of Wedgits or the games you mentioned. I'll be checking them out!!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks!
RUth
Ah yes, the bathroom pictures problem. I've had to make a "rule" that cameras don't go anywhere near the bathroom or even get pointed in that general direction. But, for some reason the camera still manages to forget sometimes and then needs to take a break from picture taking...
ReplyDeleteCould you set up a specific time in the week that would be the time you try to always work with Seth to put pictures on the computer (after a little editing lesson), like Sundays right after lunch or something like that?
I'm loving the ideas that your are getting. Your comment about not wanting a toyish main present made me realize that that is what I've done with Cody since our first Christmas together. I'll have to be careful with this as it is our first Christmas with our latest addition. It will be a little tougher though as Alexander is only 2.5. Hmmm, I guess I have even more thinking to do about non-toy presents.
Ellen
Ellen, just had to say that I had a little laugh over the camera still finding its way into the bathroom!
ReplyDeleteIt'll be interesting to see what you come up with non-toy presents. I'm not anti-toy, by any means - we'll get a few trinkets for them. But I just like their main gift to be something non-toyish.
Interesting conversation and some great ideas coming forward!
Ruth
Hi Ruth,
ReplyDeleteOur soon to be 8 year old son is asking for a set of walkie talkies. Great for the secret agent types.
I saw various sets at The Source, some under the $50 range. These were meant for grown ups and are not toys, but may be an option.
J.
Thanks J...walkie talkies made our short list, and I know my boys would love a set. My only 'problem' with them (and I know I'm being fussy) is that in order for Seth to use them he has to share them with one of his siblings...and I so want to give him something that's just for him. He kinda NEEDS something of his own; Matthew (because he's been in the family for 8.5 years) has so much stuff of his own and Seth struggles with that sometimes. I think you hit the nail on the head with something they'd enjoy though!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! My goodness, so much food for thought.
Ruth