This year we are on a budget for xmas which every year we are. I am not sure what to get my 18month old. Any suggestions would be helpful. I don't want to get him lots of toys means he already has lots of toys. He is not into any themes.
Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions. I really like the jammies and one movie on xmas eve. I will definately talk with my husband on that one. I will keep all of these in mind when I go xmas shopping for him. Thanks again it was very helpful! :)
At that age they enjoy going from gift to gift ripping the paper more than the gifts itself. Like the other posts I would stick to learning activities.
At 18 mos., he won't know "a little" from "a lot"! I'd stick to basics: books, puzzles, blocks, crayons, drawing pads, play doh, music CD if he likes music and some musical instruments like bells, triangle, drum, tambourine.
One thing we ALWAYS do for xmas is practical gifts. Blankets, clothes, lessons , art stuff, books, etc. (Or stuff *for* lessons, like when my niece was staying with us she was in ballet, so instead of buying her ballet shoes for the class that would start in Jan., we bought them in December and stashed them in her stocking, for my son new cleats for spring baseball, etc). Things we would be buying anyway get wrapped up in paper for the joy of opening. (Another example: Yes, winter coat is outgrown by an inch or two on the sleeves on the sleeves, and is a little tight. It can be worn for 6 weeks snug, and then *joy* brand new winter coat at christmas.)
Another thing is food. Stockings are full of pistachios, a pomegrante, goldfish crackers, baby bell cheeses. Treat foods that last a long time and can be eaten at will mixed in with a few candies to be eaten that day. (Literally, like 3 or 4 candies... however many I'm okay with being consumed one right after another).
Bubbles are a favorite in our house as well. Bubble bath and blowing bubbles in kid stockings. As are stickers, coloring books, reading books.
Splurgy *normal* things find their way into christmas as well. The $10 bottle of shampoo instead of the $5 bottle, a new hairbrush to replace one that isn't totally worn out yet, slippers, etc.)
And lastly... xmas tradition in our house is new jammies (1 pair) wrapped up with a movie that is opened on xmas eve. The jammies (already washed ahead of time) are worn that night... and my son (or the kids if they're living with us) fall asleep to the movie that night instead of being all antsy waiting for Santa. It also helps to cover up the noise of "santa" downstairs :) :) :)
I have purchased books from Goodwill recently and they were 25 cents a piece for soft cover and 50 cents for hard cover! AMAZING. I used them to help potty train my son (used as rewards). Check used media stores for kids movies at super low prices. Raid the clearance departments of stores like Target and Kohl's! You can find awesome stuff for peanuts.
18 months is still young enough that you don't need to really come up with something amazing to appeal to them. A pocket FLASHLIGHT was the hit of my son's Christmas at that age. He played with nothing else after getting that from my wacky uncle.
No need to spend much on the little ones. Books are good. Do something fun with him. He'll like ripping paper off of boxes more than anything :)
We've always been on a tight budget, too. We've done one special toy and books. I also like buying the kids a fun new pair of winter pj's. When my kids were little like your son, they didn't real excited about the new jammies, but now (at 7, 5, & 3) they get more excited about them. Save the bigger, more expensive toys and things for the grandparents as they usually have a little more spending money for Christmas presents. This year, we've done a new "girl type" movie for each of our girls and then one other gift. For our son, we haven't fully decided on what to get him, but it'll probably be something to go along with his Cars toys or Thomas the Train toys.
Get a few good learning toys that will grow with him...check out Leap Frog for some ideas. Also, I love my daughter's Hooked on Phonics Learning Sticks (if you can still find them). What about a few learning based DVDs (like the Preschool Prep Company series...they are great and you should be able to find them cheaper on ebay).? Clothes, cd to help him save for his future (you can buy a $50 for just $25). He is young enough that cd on money deposited into a savings account would be great. If you start now, it could be a tradition and he would be used to it.
my mission this year is to buy gifts exclusively made in the U.S. It has been difficult, but not impossible... and it is usually more original, and it will keep you focused on not picking up a lot of cheap Chinese junk. Not everyone really cares that much about this, but for our family, it is important to help support business in the U.S., as this greatly impacts our childrens future. I would personally rather spend a little more money on a good quality made in the U.S.A. product, then the same amount of money on a bunch of stuff that just clutters everything up anyway!
for my 2 year old im going to a parent teacher store to get her learning stuff. Like cards that show color and objects and any other neat learning stuff that will help her learn since she's not in daycare and is an only child for now. It will help me beable to teach her new things.
