18 Month Old Christmas Gifts- Trying to Simplify

[kalishea]

My parents and in-laws are already asking me what they can get DS for Christmas this year... They all spend waaayyy too much and we end up with so much stuff. I'm trying to get rid of stuff so I'm trying to figure out what they can all get him. He will be 18 months old at Christmas. Any ideas or suggestions?

[bender]

Membership to a local zoo or kid place? Swim lessons? Art classes? Gymboree classes?

[Kelly1101]

I'm asking for everyone to chip in on a membership to the children's museum. It's not something that will clutter up my house, and she loves going and playing there.

[justKate]

A subscription to Wild Animal Baby magazine.

[April Dawn]

-Membership to a museum
-Books - they don't take up a lot of space!
-Do you visit frequently? If so, "special" toys that stay at their house (and don't clutter up yours) are a good option.

[redvlagrl]

I think the membership ideas or books are great. I would also suggest them going in for one 'big' toy, like a wheely bug. We have one and it is awesome and causes no end of problems at playdates, LOL. it's kind of expensive but worth it. IMO you could get rid of/pack away all other ride on/push toys and have the wheely bug in their place.

[kalishea]

Great ideas! Thanks everyone! This helps a lot!

redvlagrl- My in-laws actually suggested some sort of "power wheel" for outside. At least it would stay outside or in the garage in the winter.

[blizzard_babe]

Yeah, I'm planning on asking for a summer YMCA membership and a new swimsuit for DS (and me... well the membership, not the swimsuit ) for his birthday (our birthdays are less than a month apart) in May. Maybe a few pool toys or a cute hooded towel because I know how much grandparents love watching them open stuff . Children's museum is also a great idea.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I love membership gifts.

My parents (who also spend way too much on gifts) have gotten some great outdoor toys for my older DD. It's great to have some nice, quality outdoor toys that will hold up for years, and they don't clutter the house!

Also, think of big things that would be helpful to have in the next year...a kid-sized table and chairs, art easel, a really nice wooden toy box to put all the other crap they give you in, etc.

[starling&diesel]

We do this: Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.
You could 'assign' them one of those. That way, it'll drive home the idea that you're trying to keep the accumulating chaos to a dull roar.

Good luck!

[AKislandgirl]

ooh, I like that Starling! I think I'll adopt that at our house!

My in-laws also go crazy with gifts. And usually crappy gifts at that. Thankfully they don't live here and don't visit so they don't know that we have pretty much given away everything they've given us. The one thing they did get is a sand and water table for outside which has gotten a ton of use! It's by step 2 and should last us for years. I watch older kids and they love it too.

Another thing that I wish we had is a nice art easel. I like the idea of something that will last for years through many children. Or if you were giving something like that you could ask for art supplies to go with it. An apron, paints, paper, etc...

And if they are really generous a wooden kitchen would be lovely! Or again, dishes and food to go with it if you thought about giving the kitchen yourself.

[kalishea]

Awesome! I love these ideas! I was actually thinking about the kitchen and food idea.
Thanks so much!

I agree, Starling's idea for want, need, read, wear is wonderful! I think I'll adopt that too!

[JudiAU]

Originally Posted by justKate

A subscription to Wild Animal Baby magazine.

DS loves it.

[jmo]

Originally Posted by starling&diesel

We do this: Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.
You could 'assign' them one of those. That way, it'll drive home the idea that you're trying to keep the accumulating chaos to a dull roar.

Good luck!

This is awesome! Love it.

We also do memberships/classes as gifts to cut down on clutter. My parents paid for a full year of ballet for dd and it was fabulous. This year I'm planning on suggesting one big gift for both kids - probably waldorf playstands. My ds is 18 mos right now and just started getting into the art easel. We did a kid sized wooden table and chairs one year and that gets tons of use. Also a nice wooden play kitchen.