[tigger44]

Since there are already Christmas commercials on TV, and most stores have Christmas stuff mixed in with Halloween stuff, I thought I would ask this question.

Our daughter is 26 months old, and honestly, for the last year I have found her age range difficult when purchasing toys. They seem either too babyish or to advanced for her age. So, I wonder what others plan to give your kiddos for Christmas, specifically two year olds .

[votemom]

well, i have 3 teenagers so my answers will be a little different.

- my college daughter i am giving cash. she is cash-starved and poor. i've never given cash before, but i know she will be thrilled. of course she'll have a couple little gifts to open on Christmas morning too.

- my 16 yr old son is getting some stuff for his guitar. and a new winter coat. i usually don't make winter coats a gift - as they are a necessity here in michigan. BUT, he has a perfectly good ski jacket that fits and he doesn't want to wear it. instead, he wants a $100 glorified sweatshirt from american eagle. um, sorry but no. and he's my kid who is always freezing to death. so, he can either get the $100 "coat" from the mall as a gift, or he can wear the already-in-the-closet and toasty-warm ski coat. i will also get him an i-tunes gift card for downloading songs onto his ipod.

-my youngest is getting an ipod. i told him he couldn't have one until he was 13. he actually won't be 13 until may, but he's been 13 in spirit since he was 11.

[kretzklan]

Older kids here too - but I'll chime in!
All three are getting Razor scooters and new bikes (my kids are outside ALOT)
The boys want these special roller blades.
A laser tag game for the basement.
Movies and a couple of X-box games
and then a special gift for each.
My 10 year old wants $100 tennis shoes, like VM, shoes would not usually be a gift as you need them...but $100 makes them a once a year gift.
Cole is totally into art - so he's getting the whole set up: easel, paper rolls, etc.
Delaney is getting more girly stuff (our house is still a little low)!

[Aphi86]

Start looking for dramatic play type items. At 2 1/2 she should start to be interested in these things and it will develop even more over the next 2 yrs. For Ava's 2nd b'day I bought her several "push" toys such as a doll stroller, grocery cart, and a musical riding toy. She enjoys pushing the baby in each of the items and doesn't require an imagination yet. You might also consider a little kitchen. We have one and Ava enjoys stacking dishes and putting things in the microwave. Also at this age you might get some of the fun foam shapes from Michaels or a craft store. They are great to make collages with and are easy for the kids to stick on dots (put down by you) of glue. Another good item is the Auqua Doodle and Magna Doodle. One thing I just bought off ebay was an old Imac computer. My oldest daughter had one when she was little. It is superior to the PC in many ways for young children. One, it is sturdy as an all in one. Secondly, Macs require only a click where most young children don't grasp the concept of Right Click. You can get the Toddler software too which requires one click or even moving the mouse. I bought the computer for $49 plus shipping which was another $40. SOOO worth the money!

[Pinkie]

Sorry, another older kid again. I am so excited about Christmas this year!!! I can hardly contain myself. Poor Antonina, I've already nearly done her christmas shopping - I just hope she likes her gifts!!

Seriously, she is as bad! This year will be the first year ever that she can really have some say in it. Every advert that comes on the t.v. its "mum, that's what I want, that's my favourite toy that I love". Hmmmmm

From me she has many things from the Barbie 12 dancing princess range like the canvas castle, 4 dolls in total, the cat, colour book, sticker book, DVD. I've also bought LeapPad, LeapPad backpack and several of the interactive books. I've told her to pick one more thing but to really think about it and take her time with her decision but its looking like Cinderella's carriage or a car for her doll. She has expressed her desire for rollerblades but I've told her to save that thought for her next birthday and I know she'd love a scooter which could still happen.

[proudmommyof 2]

We have trouble buying for Tommy, too (31 months) for the same reason. Not sure what we'll get him yet.

Dennis is fun to buy for. We're at the point where he likes little weird things too: Space Sand, Magic Rocks, little watch compasses.

Don't know what to get Tommy yet. He's into cars and airplanes..

[angelkisses0102]

Too funny...I was just thinking about asking this since Halloween is now past!

For Alex, 3.25 years old...
~Little People Time to Learn Preschool (He loves Little People) for ages 2-5.
~TJ Bearytales for ages 3-6
~Vtech V.Smile TV System for ages 3+
~Leapfrog *something*
~Magnetix *something*
~Some sort of racetrack for matchbox size cars
~Ryan's Room Lil Fire Stoppers Firehouse & accessories

For Arianna, 5.25 years old
~Little Mermaid *something*
~12 Dancing Princesses stuff
~Real dollhouse
~Game boy games
~books and traditional games

For both...
Something for outside like: (we need something new)
~Little Tykes Super Spiral Bouncer or Obstacle Course Bouncer or Race to the Top Bouncer ages 3+
or
Swingset/playground...Little Tykes has one I like is the Endless Adventures Playcenter Playground, ages 3-10

Tigger~
At 29 months old last Christmas Alex loved anything that was for baby dolls...stroller, high chair, swing, etc. We got DD a set from Disney and Alex has played with it and continues to play with it so much more than she ever did. Also, so many Little People things are for ages 2-5...both my kids loved these starting at about 2.5 years old. Arianna started loving Princesses about that age as well. Also a play kitchen is fun too.

[SingleMama2B]

Yep, another older child here.... DD is just starting to write her list to "SANTA"!!! Yep, she is still believing (and she just turned 10). She occassionally will ask me if I believe in Santa.... and I tell her I do. I am a BIG kid at heart! I love that we will have "2" Christmas's Together that she believes. Next year there won't be a chance!!!

So, she is starting her list early so that Santa doesn't run out of toys, etc. She does know that she can put ALL she wants on the list, BUT, it is up to Santa what she gets and it won't be her WHOLE list. That is some of the fun on Christmas Morning, is to see what on her list she GOT!!!

I imagine, it will be more computer games, V-Smile games, Gameboy Games, CD's, a doll or two. She also likes getting Gift Certificates to the Movie Theater. Possible a gift card for Build-a-Bear.

I will have to see what is ACTUALLY on her list

[lovestruck]

My seven year old boy wants a gameboy and pokemon cartridges and Leapster cartridges. Perfect since he'll have a LONG plane ride to Kaz and lots of indoor time since it will be FREEZING!!

He also wants an easy bake oven, that's right an easy bake oven. So far all I can find is a totally pink one. Any ideas where I can find one that's NOT totally pink?

My 4 year old boy wants star wars toys and GO DIEGO GO toys. I'm planning to get him both. He'll also get Leapster cartridges and a game or two for my gameboy since he too will be with us in Kaz.

I always buy a boardgame for each and books as well.

Happy Shopping!!

PS, the Razor scooters are GREAT. My older son has a blast doing tricks on his. He just graduated using the scooter on his bmx bike ramp.

And for the younger kids anything little people is great for boys and/or girls!!

[hopeful_in_Wi]

I'm buying my nephew (2.5) a kazoo from this mommy and baby party my friend gave a few weeks ago. That should drive my sister crazy! :lol I usually give him a savings bond as well as a small gift.

For my niece/goddaughter ... I was thinking a baby einstein video and a savings bond as well. SInce we have the special connection, I'll get her something else as well. She's only going to be 13 months old so I'm not sure what is age appropriate.

See my post in "PRe-adoption Orphanage DOnation" for my idea (ok, my mom's idea) on helping kids that are still waiting in Russia

[KimOH]

I second the recommendation of a toy kitchen. My DD (2.5) got one for her birthday and she plays with it more than anything else. For Christmas she'll be getting some extra accessories like a toy toaster and coffee pot -- and some food that velcroes together so she can "cut" it apart.

I'd also like to get her a toy cash register but I can't find one that I like. They're either too big or they have lots of tiny pieces. My SIL has a great one from Leap Frog that would be perfect, but I can't find it anywhere (including online). I thing maybe it's discontinued. And the ones on eBay are either going for major $$ or they're missing most of the pieces.

My DS is 6. We're getting him Legos, and we're considering the Leapster, but haven't decided (expensive and he already has the V-smile TV console and likes to play Daddy's Nintendo DS). I always like to get him a few surprises too, so I'll have to see what I can find.

[kizibits]

So far my daughter Alivia (age 16 mos. now, will be 18 mos. at Christmas) is getting the following:

LeapFrog LittleTouch System with several cartridges
A 3-CD collection of 101 toddler songs
A Winnie-the-Pooh rocking chair
A Winnie-the-Pooh easy chair
A Dora the Explorer beanbag chair
A baby doll (or two or three...)
clothes

The furniture items were a big priority for me as we have only one toddler-sized chair at the moment. And this year Alivia really isn't aware of Christmas and the whole gift-giving thing yet, so we're not going to go overboard with a bunch of stuff. Next year, though...

[mjkkbbr]

We are going to be gone for 2 weeks around Thanksgiving so I am trying to get most of my shopping done before then. We try to do one bigger item and 3-4 mid to smaller range items plus small stocking items.

My 11 year old wants a Lego Mindstorm but I just don't think we will spend that much. No clue otherwise????

My 10 year is getting Heely's and two DS games plus a couple of tiny items.

My 8 yo (home from Russia in May) wants anything Barbie, doll stroller and overall very young for her age stuff. We have decided to get her a Nintendo DS and a couple of Barbie things and some books.

My 6 yo still LOVES his Imaginext so we are getting him the new big dinosaur plus the Blue Man group percussion set and a few other small things.

My 4 year old is getting a vsmile pocket and some Barbie clothes and a Dora stroller (which Anna will be sad about not getting but hopefully can be shared)

My 3 year old is developmentally like 2. We are getting him more Geotrax (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) that all of his sibings help him play with and a Shake and Go racetrack. I am also planning on getting a Diego backpack and a couple of small Diego toys.

[Vicki H]

Alex is getting:

Games for his VSmile
Every Disney Cars toy available...LOL
Cars Bedding
Cars Clock
Fisher Price Shake and go racetrack(this is wonderful for younger children)
Some DVD's
Playdough Vets office
Lincoln Logs


That's it so far. I tend to pick up things as I go, but I think he has pretty much already.

[Sally26]

I'm having the same trouble. I thought it would be so much easier this year since she will fall into the majic 3+ category (just barely! her birthday is Dec. 6th). I have the added problem of having a MIL that spends around $200 plus on both birthday and Christmas. Don't get me wrong, it is very nice of her, but it's just too much.

(Everything in bold are good suggestions.)
Emily is not into dolls or princess stuff. She has a toddler basketball goal. She has a toddler trampoline(Grandma got it last year for her birthday on ebay). We got her a sit and spin last Christmas She has a handy me down kitchen. We got her a grocery cart last Christmas. She has two baby strollers. She has a ride on toy that is similar to a tricycle that she's not interested in riding. We're thinking about getting her a tiny bike with training wheels, but Grandma will probably get her a motorized ride on toy and she may not be interested in anything she has to pedal.

I have found a lot of little things:
Pediatrictian Barbie (it's probably a mistake)
Mac Donald's play food for her kitchen
Padded bat with balls and glove
Pop Up Elmo tent wtih white board side
Puzzle
Books
Play Make Up
Box of Princess Fairy Dress Up Dresses, shoes, wings...

The mac computer sounds good. I just don't know where we would put it. Does anyone know of things to add to a regular PC that make it toddler friendly? Any software that you would recommend?