New Big Sister present?

[slippy]

My daughter is 5, and finally going to be a big sister. I want to get her something special, (and so do my parents)- but i'm really at a loss as to what to get her. My first thought would be a beautiful dolly, but she's not really that into dolls, has a bunch of them, and they mostly just lay around the house half dressed!

Anyone else get big brother/sister presents for their kids? all ideas welcome, I need some new ideas to get my imagination rolling again!

[jeninejessica]

What about a small spa day for the two of you? I've seen it done before, and I think it can be quite beautiful to signify that she's growing up and is the 'mature one' now. Even just like a manicure and hair cut, and then sitting by the pool eating snacks will seem like a huge treat for her I'm sure. And then she gets to spend time with you, and it's a treat for yourself as well!

[Smokering]

I've been meaning to make something for DD for a big sister present too. She's only three, so this might not be much help to you, but my ideas are currently:

- a backpack (we're hoping to go to Disneyland at the end of the year, and I want her to carry her own water bottle and cardigan!). I can sew, so I was hoping to find a pattern and make her one out of nice craft fabric.

- a new dress; possibly a fairy dress (she goes to a dancing class a week where the kids all dress up as fairies or ballerinas, and the baby's due in June which is winter here, so she could use a warmer costume anyway)

- a handmade baby doll to replace the current hideous plastic one my mother gave her. Honestly, though, she loves that creepy plastic thing and would probably shun a nice cloth one sewn by me. :p

The backpack and dress aren't super-creative ideas, but she needs them anyway, so it's easier to justify spending time making them! :p I'd make her a ring sling or mei tai for her doll, but SIL gave her one for Christmas and she doesn't seem interested in it.

If I run out of time, I might send DH to the book store to get her one of those books with lots of photos in it. We got her a kids' encyclopaedia for her birthday and she LOVES it - reads it with DH every night, looking at all the pictures of iguanas and volcanoes and hot air balloons. So "The Human Body" or "Animals of the World" or something along those lines would go down a treat. It would certainly be the lazier option...