Christmas present ideas

What are your inspired ideas for Christmas presents for the school-age boy? I'm starting to get requests for suggestions for gifts for my boys, and even though all year I've seen things and thought "gee - I'll have to remember that", I'm now drawing a total blank.

HELP PLEASE!

[houseelf]

Re: Christmas present ideas

Star Wars chapter books---There are a million titles and series. We're on the Boba Fett series currently. Ebay is a good place to find these cheap.
Legos, Legos, Legos (Ebay, again. You can download instructions for old kits on Lego.com)
Havoc Heli
Remote Control cars
Spy Gear stuff
laser trip wire safe for their secret stuff
Star Wars Battle Pak figures
Nerf guns with extra bullets
School House Rocks DVD
Healies
Scooter
Skateboard
Sleds

Have fun!

Kelly

Re: Christmas present ideas

thanks Kelly!

Re: Christmas present ideas

Basketball hoop? But you have one right down the street, right?

[GrayMatterWife]

Re: Christmas present ideas

Star Wars chapter books---There are a million titles and series. We're on the Boba Fett series currently. Ebay is a good place to find these cheap.
Legos, Legos, Legos (Ebay, again. You can download instructions for old kits on Lego.com)

Exact same things for my little guy. (I am SO sick of Star Wars...but it beats Thomas the Trainwreck hands-down.) We are going to surprise him with the Lego Chessboard kit. Not that he plays chess (he has this computer game for kids on chess, but I think he just knows how the pieces move...he's not up on "strategy.") That's what he said he'd like. We told him, no way, too expensive--but we're totally going to splurge on it for him.

Ava-Marie is getting...nothing from us (that sounds terrible, I know). But, seriously, she'll be three months old!! And the grandparents are going to get her loads of pointless stuff. That she can't unwrap. Or otherwise appreciate. I'm not adding to the chaos and expense.

I may take Sam out, though, and have him pick out something for him to give her. I'll probably have him do a couple of "chores" (unload dishwasher with me, make his bed, etc.) so that he can "earn" some money, then take him out, to spend his "own" money on the gift. He'll think that's cool.

By the way, for whatever it's worth--we often have a lot of luck at the gift shop at the St. Louis Science Center. COOL stuff that you'd never think of! If you have something comparable, you might want to swing by.

[houseelf]

Re: Christmas present ideas

Gah! I lost my post.

I keep a small notebook in my purse all the time. When the kids see something they want, I can typically placate them by writing the desired object down on their wishlist. When grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, or Santa ask for suggestions, it is a snap. It also tends to tame the tantrums and gets them used to waiting for things.

I also keep a book wish list for myself.

Kelly

[madeintaiwan]

Re: Christmas present ideas

My kids have an ongoing wish list on Amazon. You can check out J's hot requests there. Some items have already been purchased so click on the ALL? button or purchased items button. I think it is under my name. They have a book wish list too.

[Sheherezade]

Re: Christmas present ideas

Amazon added an "add to wish list" toolbar button. I've put it on our toolbar for a few months now so I can just click it when shopping. Theoretically, it adds anything you look at to a great big "wish list". I'm hoping it will help me with the online shopping this year. :huh: It seemed like a great idea...we'll see how it works.

We have a chalkboard wall in our family room. I've been using it for wish lists. Mostly, I'm trying to train my family to think "gifts" when they want something instead of "now". Even with the smallest items (like a pen), I've had them add it to the list on the wall. I figure that way, they'll get things they liked....and they'll stop asking me for things when they see them. Unfortunately, it has been revealed that my DS only likes items that cost more than one hundred dollars....and my DD likes mostly things that cost about two dollars. Obviously, she's the one that likes the pens. We're trying to figure out how to reconcile that. DS may be getting a single gift.

As for boy gifts - what about stomp rockets? Loved those!!!! It's more of a summer toy, but they would be easy to find in the snow. It gets some of that crazy energy out. We always used to get one of the ridiculously hard Lego sets and put it together as a family over the break. My son loved the time together and the finished product. Spy gear was also always a hit. DS still uses the sun glasses that let you see behind you. Remote control cars are fun and fairly inexpensive. You could get a pair and they could race. Of course, they always lose interest in those after a few weeks. Darda race tracks and cars are incredible. We got a lot of use out of a set with a double loop -- but DH is a car crazed man so he may have pressed that one.

Have fun shopping!