My daughter's significant other lives on Galveston Island. He has 3 children who are a girl, 10 and 2 boys 3 and 5 yrs old. My daughter has an almost 5 yr old. My daughter and grandson spend 2-3 weeks every other month on Galveston so they are a big part of our lives. I have been there to visit so I do know his kids but not well. I want to send a box of gifts for their Christmas but I'm unsure of what to get. I thought about pajamas but the only ones available here in Wisconsin are made for winter. How cold does it get in Galveston in winter? I know it's quite warm there year round. I did find a sprinkler for the kids to play with but I need more ideas. Coloring books, colors, ect seem to bland and summer toys won't be out here until after Valentine's Day.
All 3 boys have a different super hero my grandson loves Batman, the 5 yr old (6 on Jan) loves Spiderman and the 3 yr old (4 in Dec) Captain America. I know the 5 yr old started Kindergarten in Sept and they got him all the school stuff (lunch box back pack ect) in Spiderman. The kids go to private school and wear uniforms so clothes seem unnecessary. My daughter made them tie blankets last year for Christmas.
They live about 2 blocks off the beach in a condo complex and all the kids have bikes. I know they love to spend time at the beach and play in the water and on the sand. I thought about board games but it wasn't a big hit with my daughter. All 3 boys love flashlights, I got them tiny flashlights that go on a finger like a ring. The kids do like to fly kites on the beach but no kites here in December.
Her S/O works on an oil rig and is gone 28 days and home 28 days, when he is gone his kids are at their Mom's and my daughter and grandson live in Wisconsin. She is trying to get the courts to let her move there permanently before my grandson starts Kindergarten in the Fall.
I thought about tickets to a fun place for them to go as a family (6 people) but that's really expensive, and not as nice as a gift they can hold in their hand.
Dad makes really good money and has all the camera/video equipment they need.
Ideas welcome, I'm not sure when they are celebrating Christmas as a family. Last year was the first time he has been home on Christmas in 12 yrs. It was the first time he was able to be with his kids and watch them open presents on Christmas Day.
Every boy and girl in Texas wants a pair of cowboy boots. They never go out of style. You can order them online from Walmart..that way they can be exchanged in case they are not the correct size.
Also kids love pop up tents, sleeping bags and battery operated lanterns. Go to the academy.com site. Again we have Academy stores down here too.
We never get a hard freeze this close to the coast- I think it has snowed once in Galveston in the last two decades. So I never buy my kids more than one pair of fleece pjs. And we only need warm winter coats a few times a year.
Depending on your budget you could get them a family membership somewhere like moody gardens (3 & under are free): http://www.moodygardens.com/memberships/moody_gardens_mem...
Aaahhh, ya gotta love the oil business. I have soo many friends who live similarly. That's so nice you are thinking of her stepkids as well.
Whenever I don't know what to get someone, books are always my default gift. Easy to wrap and send esp with the book rate postage. There are tons of great books on sale for the holidays. Check out national awards lists like Caldecott, Texas Bluebonnet, Texas 2x2 and Scholastic to help narrow your search. Invest in their future through reading! :)
What's your budget?
Fishing poles
Magic or science set
Magnifying glasses or microscope for kids
Binoculars
Board or card games (they are all on sale right now anywhere you go)
Magazine subscriptions
Discovery Kids has a great line of outdoor toys - bug collecting, star gazing, etc.
gl!
Here's Galveston's official web site. It has weather information as well as information about activities. http://www.galveston.com/default.asp
You can order summer weather items on the Internet.
I was a mom in a very warm sticky climate for the first 7 years of my children's lives. Now we are in Wisconsin for the last 6, but we still have nephews back in the hot sticky so I'll chime in here. Even in he hot sticky south, we still had a few crisp days, so warmer pj's were always a hit. Plus, we a/c'd the house to a frozen tundra so they'd literally wear flannels all year.
Any outdoor toy you want can be found at Amazon.com. Free shipping on most orders too. My son loves fishing so i like the fishing pole idea. Squirt guns are always a big hit here too. Beach bags with beach toys are great - nice to replace old worn stuff.
If Amazon fails you, try Cabellas or Bass Pro Shop.com.
Good luck!
Www.youngexplorers.com
You can find very very cool toys at thus website and you look by age which is very helpful. I am getting some stuff there for my kids!
Galveston does get cold, not as cold as other places And of course no snow but it can get very cold, summer toys will not be able to be played with until after April or later our worst/coldest starts in January And February and it could be in the 40s
I live in a warm climate and this is what I have bought for my boys for Christmas:
blow-up pool toys
rash shirts
goggles
snorkelling gear
books
making stuff
clothes.
By the way, my children wear school uniform, but we appreciate and need any other clothes they are given.
BOOKS...this is the age that either you get them engaged with books or it will be a struggle. Does anyone read to them at night? If so then a great series to read aloud to them is The Guardians of Ga'Hoole. Then get them some early reader books with their favorite super hero in it.
Super Hero capes.
A huge hit at that age for my son and his cousin was an adventure gear set (came with toy binoculars, flashlight, pretend camping gear, compass, etc all together in a little backpack)
Small Lego sets for the 5 year olds.
I have no idea on the girl...I'm not good with presents for girls because I grew up always receiving "girl" presents but preferring "boy" presents.
It CAN get really cold, but the "winter" jammies probably would be too much. Can you order pajamas online that would be more climate-friendly for them?
Have your daughter ask for copies of their lists for santa and see what they say. This might give you an idea of what to get them. Also, you could ask them if there are any presents that are not what they would ask their mom or dad for, but would still like....this is usually because they ask the parents for the big, expensive presents. I live in Portland, so I don't have any other good ideas either...
