I need a gift for a 3 year old girl - any ideas??

[tootersmom]

I need a birthday gift for a little girl turning 3. Her mom said she LOVED Disney princesses and would love anything along those lines. I know NOTHING about Disney princesses LOL! (Or 3 year old girls for that matter - short of having been one a long long time ago).

Any advice? What did your girls like at that age??

* Oh! I'd like to keep it under $25-$30. Thanks!

[kamesennin]

How about sparkly shoes, crown, cape, or a flashy purse? You could definitely find something under $10, I think.

[Aquafina]

I have seen Disney princess watches for like 15.00 at walmart/target,,,,,It could be something to help her learn to tell time and look cute or some activity/coloring books with that theme.....I have also seen really cute Disney princess books at Barns & nobles.....

[Hokulele]

Ugh Disney Princesses - I can't get away from them. DD will be three in a month and she's learned all about Disney from preschool. I am trying very very hard not to get her anything Disney - it just drives me crazy.

For a girl who is into that, I'd suggest getting something dress-uppy. Target has some dress up clothes that are princessy (some Disney, some not). DD is really into sparkly clothes and fairy wands... just got her both at Target. Anything that sparkles is good!

[zeldamomma]

Tutus, fairy wands, fancy hats, a sparkly purse...

I would recommend not getting the Disney princess branded stuff, it's pricey and the quality isn't great.

If you don't want to go for princess stuff, you could get her sidewalk chalk or art supplies or some other pretend play prop, like a cash register or doctor dress-up stuff.

ZM

[tootersmom]

Thanks for the input ladies! You've been a lot of help. I guess I'm learning sparkly-frilly-girly is all the rage when you're 3!

[madskye]

Do you really want to buy Disney princess stuff? (I loathe it!) I'd buy her a princess anthology of the real fairy tales--lots of little ones have no idea that these stories didn't originate with Disney.

You can get nice, inexpensive hardcover fairy tale bindups at Barnes and Noble. Here's a nice one:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Pri.../?itm=2http://

Also--there are tons of licensed Disney Princess books as well--there is one that comes with a viewfinder that is insanely popular, one that has a music chip with multiple songs...lots of fun princess stuff at the bookstore.

And yes--so far, my 3 year old loves to sparkle!

[Ceili]

Most of my 3 year old ds's friends are girls, so I've been through this a number of time recently. I don't like to buy stuff from the disney franchise and most of the kids we know don't really need more toys, so I've been buying them art from etsy. My favorite shop does these really cute watercolors with fairies, mermaids, princesses, or cowgirls, etc. and the kids name.

[Mizelenius]

How about some playsilks? These are really the most used toys by my DC.

[tootersmom]

Originally Posted by madskye

Do you really want to buy Disney princess stuff? (I loathe it!)

LOL! I knew someone would ask.

Since you did, I'll try to explain my feelings about it...

We don't buy much licensed stuff for my son, and try to generally avoid places like Target, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, and other such places for that reason (among many). Although he does often get it from other family members - some stuff we keep and some we don't... Anyway, last year my son was given tickets to see the Doodlebops Live concert. I wasn't sure what to expect. When we got there the lobby of the theater was FULL of vendors selling Doodlebops items for about 15 times more than someone would pay in the store. I had made up my mind we were not going to be wasting our money on overpriced pieces of junk, and told my son as much. But he really REALLY wanted this little foam hat that looked like Rooney Doodle's hair. I finally broke down and said okay. (yeah, I know.)

The show itself...well, it was kind of...fabulous. We both loved it. The children were invited to dance and sing - my son had a ball! Then, toward the end of the show, Rooney Doodle jumps down from the stage, walks over to my son, and shakes his hand. It was seriously the most thrilled I've ever seen him in his life! He sat there half dazed for the next twenty minutes with this huge smile on his face. For days he told EVERYONE, "Rooney shook my hand!", all the while wearing that darn hat...That was a year ago. Just yesterday he walked into our living room wearing that same hat. He said, "Mama, remember when Rooney shook my hand? That was great." And yeah, it really was.

Now, that lengthy story (lol, sorry) brings me to this - the little girl we're buying the gift for just got back from Disney World last week. Apparently, they did some meet & greet with the princesses and she had a "Rooney Doodle moment" with Snow White. Since then she speaks of nothing else... So I guess in a way, I get it. And while I don't really support (or even like) Disney, I don't have that big of a problem with occiasionally purchasing something that really thrills the recipient.

Now, aren't you glad you asked?

[frog]

Woodkins. All the sparkle, none of the Disney, and a nice dose of creativity. The Small Friends LOVED these when they were about her age (or a bit older).

[MaterBum]

I say go for a Disney princess nightgown! I'm not into buying licenses stuffed, either, but for bedtime stuff, eh, no biggie! There are some really fancy nightgowns at Target with the princesses. I'm guessing they can't be more than $15 a nightgown?

[Eaglevoice]

My dd is almost 3 and all she's just recently discovered princesses. Man, now everything she sees is princess! For her birthday, my mom is buying her some princess dress up clothes. I cringe at the thought, but...I saw them and they are cute..

[tootersmom]

Originally Posted by frog

Woodkins. All the sparkle, none of the Disney, and a nice dose of creativity. The Small Friends LOVED these when they were about her age (or a bit older).

These look so awesome! Thanks!

And thanks to all for your great ideas and suggestions!

[tootersmom]

Originally Posted by MaterBum

I say go for a Disney princess nightgown! I'm not into buying licenses stuffed, either, but for bedtime stuff, eh, no biggie! There are some really fancy nightgowns at Target with the princesses. I'm guessing they can't be more than $15 a nightgown?

That's it! I LOVE the night gown idea! Not a toy, but still on theme. I think I'll look for one tonight. Thank you.

[madskye]

Originally Posted by tootersmom

LOL! I knew someone would ask.

...

Now, that lengthy story (lol, sorry) brings me to this - the little girl we're buying the gift for just got back from Disney World last week. Apparently, they did some meet & greet with the princesses and she had a "Rooney Doodle moment" with Snow White. Since then she speaks of nothing else... So I guess in a way, I get it. And while I don't really support (or even like) Disney, I don't have that big of a problem with occiasionally purchasing something that really thrills the recipient.

Now, aren't you glad you asked?

I am totally not militant about loathing Disney--we have a Disney Princess tshirt, underwear, and an ezbake oven. We too, have been to the castle and had lunch with the Princesses! We actually went on a Disney cruise, (my inlaws brought the whole family last year) so I can totally understand the love and excitement--I just try to keep it to a minimum in my home, ykwim?! And I think you are absolutely right and gracious that a gift is to bring delight to the recipient. That said, I still think original fairy tales are cool, too, and might be a nice supplemental gift to the nightie.