How do we choose toys for Christmas presents for our ghildren?

Question

And or our grand children with all this toy "debacle"?

Answer 1

Buy books and board games. I prefer that relatives buy my son something useful instead of a toy he wont be playing with in a few months. At least a book will provide knowledge and a game will usually require family togetherness. Or I think it would be nice if someone paid for his next gymnastics class(we go through parks and rec so its only $25 for 4-6weeks).

Answer 2

Don't people usually give their children and grand children
what they tell you they want or can use? Or something close
to what they ask for? It's true that the main objective for gift
giving is to give something from your heart, to please the
receiver. Something to make them smile and their eyes light
up in appreciation? I know it is more difficult for some of us
each year to come up with presents that cost little, and yet
bring about alot of pleasure. For some of us, it's a task that
has to be well thought out before something can be made
to 'get the job done'. I can't compete with the high tech things
our grandson would want. And we can't afford the items our
child and SIL would scream for either. What we've been
doing more of, is buying nice gift baskets for each and buying
necessities of a personal nature and yet holiday wrapped to
ensure gifts that won't be returned. And we always make
either candy they like, or we have bought special food items
from Hickory Farms and become inventive with food items to
one side and personal favorites on the other. With maybe a
special coffee mug in the center. Or something different we
happen to come across. Our daughter told us last year, how
much they appreciate those baskets of thoughtfulness and
how they enjoy seeing them when we give them. They will buy
for themselves what's needed throughout the year. And they
don't expect us to even know what they like anymore. So the
food thing has worked out well for us. And with our grandson,
we really have to scratch our heads, since he's not into toys
at 14. And his room is already too crowded. So we seem to
be in a specialized gift buying season, more and more. Each
seems to want something special that is unnafordable, for
us anyway. So we'll be keeing our eyes open for something
special or cute or funny to please our family again this
Christmas. For it's the happy eyes and smiles we seek, to
know we did a pleasing job, once again.

Answer 3

I only buy for a little girl that I am a "Big Sister" too. That means she doesn't have a mother so I am her role model and we spend two days a week for 3 hours before she goes to school. She is four and has very generous grandparents. So I try to buy something I know she wants or would like based on what she likes to do with me. Lately she has really been into water color painting and finger painting. She needs to improve her find motor skills so I will probably get something that she has to manipulate with her hands. I don't waste money on toys, they tend to get tired of them so fast. I try to get her things she can use her imagination with like a dress up princess outfit that she wears every day at her grandma's! I don't know I hope this was helpful.

Answer 4

I think they have a list of toys that were tainted. At least Mattel supposedly placed such a list out there. You just have to be careful. Find toys made in Australia or another country.

www.recalls.gov - Use this for USA and Canada. There is also an International Consumer site on this one.

Answer 5

In the past, I've relied on the folks at "Highlights" to screen and offer the most appropriate toys. This year, I'm going to Wally World and getting gift cards so the parents can do the screening. They've already been warned not to expect anything gift-wrapped, for either parents or kids.

Answer 6

My daughter has a toys r us catalog and she gave it to my gson and told him to mark the things he likes. He liked blocks, and all sorts of cars and trucks, a talking parrot, race tracks. If the child is older than 3 chances are the toy won't be in the mouth.
I wonder about all the hype I grew up chewing on window sills with lead paint, a crib painted with lead paint. My brain has yet to be fried. Well maybe not!! ;0)

Answer 7

Pay attention to the commercials they respond to during Saturday morning cartoons. Or simply ask them, "What do you want for Christmas?" 9 times out of 10 they're going to give you a list. Probe them and ask, "Which one is your favorite? Why is that?" If they get more excited talking about one item more than the other, that's how you know. It sure beats getting them tube socks for Christmas.

Answer 8

I wish I knew the answer because I have 6 grandkids to buy for and I have no idea what to do either. Money or gift cards are not what I want to give.

Answer 9

We've always stayed away from toy items the parents pretty much cover that.

Answer 10

my Grandchildren are getting gift certificates so they can get what they would like, with their parents approval... they are all young and healthy enough to endure the malls and stores packed full of people. Not to mention parking in Egypt... lol