Christmas Ideas

[cicy33]

This is going to sound a little strange but since I am seeing the xmas threads thought I would start one of my own. The past two years we have focused on video games for xmas. not exclusively but mostly. This year I have announced there will be no video games or systems or movies for xmas. They have too much of it already. I have four kids 10, 11, 12 , 13 to buy for. 3 boys 1 girl. she is the 12 year old. clothes are not an option. They do have some games. like uno attack, card games and stuff like that though a few games more would be okay. Any suggestions? nothing homemade. I don't have the time nor am I creative enough and for the one that says sure you are, No I am not. I have no creative ability at all. NONE. I also don't want to give them money, I want to give them gifts that are not trash the next day.

[cashqueen]

Books? Outdoor activities like bikes, balls, skateboards, etc? Maybe a 'coupon' or something (a hand written letter?) for one-on-one time with Mom? With 4 kids that's got to be hard to coordinate. You could take turns taking each one out to eat at the restaurant of their choosing - just the two of you. I don't know, that's tough.

[disneysteve]

I'd second books. Other ideas - DVDs or CDs. Those are probably the top 3 things our 12 year old daughter asks for each year. Oops. Just saw you said no movies.

How about activities? Sign them up for an art class or some other type of class they would enjoy. What about show tickets? Take them to the theater or Cirque Du Soleil or Blue Man Group or some other family-friendly performance.

Do any of them collect anything? You can always add an item to the collection.

[nanamom]

A craft item, a book, a "neat " outfit that is extra, a game , or a CD. Last year I gave one of my grandsons the 20Q game and he loved it, on easked fo ra skateboard, and we have done games like Apples to Apples, Mexican train game, Sequence, etc, You could do jewelry for the girls, or a jewelry box, start a collection in something they enjoy or are interested in, or do a trip together,

[rupeeman]

Books? Outdoor activities like bikes, balls, skateboards, etc? Maybe a 'coupon' or something (a hand written letter?) for one-on-one time with Mom? With 4 kids that's got to be hard to coordinate. You could take turns taking each one out to eat at the restaurant of their choosing - just the two of you. I don't know, that's tough.

hey nice suggestions i would really follow these to make this christmas a memorable one!

[PrincessPerky]

Ditto Time being the best gift, we give time with Uncle scott to the nieces and nephews and it is the best gift, though finangling the schedule is hard.

[stressedmama]

MP3 player or Itunes gift card, camera and scrapbook supplies for the girl, books, or sports equipment.

[Marcymox]

hmmm, no video games, movies or clothes. Well, there would be nothing else my kids would want! haha.

How about pajamas or slippers at least??
team sweatshirts?
what's wrong with clothes?? I mean, in my house, clothes aren't a "gift" they are a need, something you get so you won't have to wear a paper bag to school. But some families like to gift with fun t-shirts or something like that.

how about something practical like a re-do for thier bedrooms? new sheets, bedding, shelves

books? science kids, sewing, crafts, drawing supplies.

sports equipment, ice skates, hockey sticks, baseball equipment

team or club supplies? scout uniforms or books, chess set, mathelete sweatshirt

letterman jacket, class ring

"baskets" for girls, consumables, body wash, shampoo, razors,
boys- razors, shaving cream, doderant, ect

food baskets- candy, gum, treats of whatever kind they like

musical instrument of thier own instead of a rental ( violin, ect)

how about a family vacation? the kids are old enough you don't have to do the santa thing anymore. How about a trip to disney, or skiing, or .. well wherever your family likes to go??

[cicy33]

These ideas are great! The reason for no clothes is that the kids live with their mom during the week and she buys their clothes. I do pick up some stuff at yard sales and really good sales at the store. and twice a year we do the shoes. But otherwise I leave the clothes to her. I really like the idea of a Mom coupon. I think that is one gift I am going to do. As we only have them on the weekends scheduling is crazy! so I think that would make it more special. Amazingly the boys have letter jackets, did you know that those things are $100 each!!!!! Grandma bought those last year. The kids have limit of $200 each, we don't necessarily have to buy that much but that is the absolute limit. I know that seems high but we don't buy much all year long. Birthdays are low end as they usually want a party and that is a high enough cost. so this is our option to get them nice stuff. last year the oldest boy went a little over $200 but the youngest is under so it worked out on an average.

[site_designer]

Active Kids

How about something that will encourage them to be active?

I have 4 kids and all they want to do is play video games or get on club penguin. We buy our kids scooters, bikes, balls, etc.