[hicoco]

Hi EB.

I need some advice on gifts for my 16 month old DD for Christmas. She already has SO many toys she has inherited from her big brother -nearly four - such as books, balls, walkers, drums, rattles, rings, and just about everything else you can imagine. DS is getting new things as he has outgrown the books etc but I am having trouble thinking of stocking stuffers for her. I don't want to buy the same stuff just in pink for her, because she is perfectly happy playing with what she already has and I don't want to spend money on unnecessary crap just for the sake of it. But I can't give her just a couple of tshirts in her stocking. She may or may not notice but I can guarantee that DS will notice and want to share but most of his presents are well out of her age range and suitability. She has one toy that was given just for her - a talking tea set. Makes me angry that all the stuff she has not already inherited is so very gender specific - i.e. dolls pram, house. Should I just suck it up and buy this stuff or can anyone suggest some non traditional presents for a toddler who already has a lot?

Thanks.

[wesse]

Apparently goats are all the rage this year?!? Just kidding....
My DD loves finger painting and started at that age, lots of mess but lots of fun!

[adl]

This will be our dilemma next year....

How about crayola stuff like the fun twister type crayons, an easel, some sidewalk chalk, paints, coloring in boos amd those great wooden crayon/ pencils etc...
Sticker and sticker books....
Also Disney DVDs ? Bubble machine kmartnhas a great one $10 with a refill $5 ...do you go to the beach ...thinking bucket, spade watering can? Sand and water table?

[Guest_divineM_*]

why not get her some girly toys? My DD (will be a bit older than yours at 22 months at Christmas) is getting a baby doll with all accessories (bottle, nappy etc) and a toy kitchen with playfood. that's because i know she will play with this stuff (eg she's always brining baby dolls home from childcare). but if you don't want gender specific what about toy instruments ? I saw some beautiful xylophones that I considered getting DD.

[Perfect2]

Hi


I am am getting my 16 month old some wooden toys for Christmas. Some Plan toys wooden fruit which you can "cut" into pieces, wooden tea set and wooden pots and pans. I am not impartial to buying gifts that they can grow into. She is number three and has alot of hand me downs too. It does get hard sometimes!

[SlinkyMalinki]

My DD will be nearly 14 months at Christmas. She also has a 4 year old big sister, so non-gender specific went out the window a while back

She'll be getting
- a wheelie bug
- a rag doll
- a few bright coloured play scarves
- a tin spinning top
- a (Disney) Little Mermaid Little People set
- a big bag of musical instruments to share with her sister (a few more obscure things than the standard drums and stuff - wooden tone blocks, clave, bells, etc).
- a personalised backpack (everyone is getting a bag this year)

[hicoco]

Thanks for these great ideas ladies. I am loving the idea of finger paints, crayons, non traditional instruments etc. Plus the bonus with totally out there new stuff is that big brother will want to play with it too and he really is the toy she loves the most!