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Chris V
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| Posted: Jan 13 2010 at 10:37am | IP Logged
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I'm sure this has been discussed before, but my search came up empty handed...please forgive me if I am duplicating a post topic (and feel free to nudge me in the right direction for previous posts)  .
My dd2 is turning 3 years old in just a short couple of weeks and I am at a complete loss for a gift idea.
Briefly, my girls don't do without. Both my parents and my husband's parents pour forth WAY too many gifts for each of them on Birthday's and Holiday's and everything in between. My husband and I have discussed this, a number of times, with them, our desire to create within our children a sense of gratitude for the things given to them. But the abundance of material items keep coming (I could start a whole new thread with this discussion, no doubt  ). This makes my mind cloudy and I cannot generate an original idea for a gift.
I am searching for ONE gift for my little sweetheart. Somthing that she can grow with, yet enjoy this moment. To melt her heart. Cheer her. Educate her. Stimulate her mind. And bring a smile to her face.
What are the favorites for your littles?
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Chris
Happy Wife with my Happy Life
Mama to My Five Girls ('04~'07~'09~'11~'11) 
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Jan 13 2010 at 11:01am | IP Logged
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What is the little girl equivalent to playmobile? My three year old shares his birthday with his brother by two days, and they got the castle with knights. They also got legos, and the play with these things a lot, but the playmobile is the one I see consistently filling the descriptions you offer.
I can't say for sure if girls would share that affinity even with the girlier sets because I think it is the building of the people with all the little parts that appeals to the mind of a boy along with the imaginative play, but I definitely see playmobile as a long term toy for us. I don't have girls, though.
A special doll might do what you describe, but when there are so many dolls (I gather from your post, perhaps there are?), it would be hard to know which one a child will latch onto in that way, especially at that age, and the one you pick out might be forgotten in a week.
Perhaps a special bag/backpack/basket/storage container custom made in her favorite colors/characters to hold an already treasured toy? A diaper bag for a favorite dolly and its accessories? A bag with places for special arts and crafts supplies? A soft backpack with her name for her to carry her treasures in, even for special trips?
ETA: If she already has a cute tea set, maybe a pretty picnic basket and table cloth all her own to put the things in and take them around to set up her parties in different locations?
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 13 2010 at 11:31am | IP Logged
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a tea set there's a nice one at amazon.. it's plastic but recycled and is food grade so it can really be used. The pieces are nice and sturdy not like the flimsy plastic at all.
Also Little People. I know it's got staying power because I've seen every last one of my kids play with the ones my two littles got  And they have a house and other things that aren't either boyish or girlie.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 13 2010 at 11:34am | IP Logged
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here is the Green Toys Tea Set
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
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Christine
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| Posted: Jan 13 2010 at 12:15pm | IP Logged
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St. Nicholas gave the Fisher Price Loving Family Dollhouse to my eldest daughters (ages 3 and almost 2 at the time) several years ago. It was purchased at a rummage sale by my husband for $15 and it is still in great condition. They received furniture, horses, vehicles, and additional people for birthdays and Christmases. It has been played with over and over again by my children and their friends. Currently, my youngest daughters play with it regularly. It definitely continues to be a favorite in our house.
My girls also like Playmobil, but I think that they have gotten more enjoyment from the dollhouse.
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Christine
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Sarah M
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| Posted: Jan 13 2010 at 12:27pm | IP Logged
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Playsilks! Next time you come over, Chris, we should pull mine out and see if your sweetie-pie enjoys playing with them. I'm floored at what a big hit these are. They are such a simple gift- but all of my kids just absolutely love them.
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CrunchyMom
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If you don't have playsilks, they are definitely a toy like what you described! My boys love theirs as do any children that come to visit! You can even save some $$ and make your own fairly easily.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Chris V
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| Posted: Jan 13 2010 at 3:56pm | IP Logged
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I just want to take a moment and give each and everyone of you a (((hug))). You all have such thoughtful, thoughtful gift ideas for my little one and it actually pains me ~ with a very nauseated feeling deep in my core ~ to tell you that all of my girls have these things, each and every one of them.
Playsilks (veil, skirts, parachutes), play kitchen, three doll houses, a castle, a variety of dolls, purses, backpacks, aprons, Little People (Noah's ark, pet shop, farmhouse, dollhouse, etc.) tea sets, jump-ropes, hoola-hoops, balls, outside-play trucks, bikes, 3-wheelers, books, books, books, a world globe, tiny figures and animals for their doll houses, an easle, legos, peg-boards, blocks, marble sets, dress up clothes, puzzles, and board games.
Ugh. Over the course of their lives my husband and I have purchased maybe three of these things, the rest has been given to them by GRANDPARENTS! See my issue? I am not proud, but rather dismayed. And I am actually embarrassed at how much they have. How can my little ones be little grateful people when their granparents will not accept our wishes for a restriction of material items?
Gracious me, you guys. What do I do?
A special book maybe. I don't know. 
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Chris
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Chris V
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| Posted: Jan 13 2010 at 4:13pm | IP Logged
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Well, thinking out load here...
Maybe what my husband and I need to do is focus on making the day special ~ all about her ~ her favorite breakfast, favorite lunch, special Birthday dinner followed by her cake of choice.
She loves balloons, even though they eventually end up as garbage, getting her a few pretty balloons to play with would do wonders for her little spirit.
Balloons with a special new picture book ~ and a day filled with "All-About-Autumn", (her name is Autumn) because that is what it is really about, making it special for her.
I received an email from my MIL yesterday, she gave me a list of items that they want to give Autumn for her birthday. I haven't responded yet. I understand that part of the joy of being a grandparent is to provide all of these wonderful things to their grandchildren; we've been honest with them from the beginning, and I think that I need to delicately remind her of what's important here.
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JodieLyn
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ah.. start directing grandparents to lovely things TO DO.. like what about a membership to a museum or aquarium.. or if the girls like something special like dancing.. maybe tickets to see a fun performance.. If the grandparents are in the area.. letting them know that a gift of their time would be lovely.. why not let them take the birthday girl out for lunch which would also give you a time to decorate the house without her.
As your girls get a bit older there's also sports/music/dance/etc.. those run some major $$$.. hmm and your older girl could probably start.. but think.. swimming lessons, dance lessons, karate, soccer, piano, cake decorating, etc etc etc
And those lessons don't have to start right away. My son who's birthday is in August has asked for and recieved money for tennis lessons.. that he won't be able to take until the beginning of the next summer. I just put it in his account in my Quicken (it's a cyber account.. the bank doesn't actually have one) and I can put in what that money is to be used for.
And speaking of money, you might also suggest one gift and something like a savings bond so that the grandparents will be helping when they're in higher levels of school.. college but even high school it could allow you to buy special programs like.. Rosetta Stone language lessons.. those are pricy.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
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JodieLyn
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and definately get books.. think how much you can spend on books when all the other things are there already
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Chris V
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JodieLyn wrote:
ah.. start directing grandparents to lovely things TO DO.. like what about a membership to a museum or aquarium.. or if the girls like something special like dancing.. maybe tickets to see a fun performance..
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Yes! Why had I not thought of this? Wonderful idea! Thank you.
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Chris
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Christine
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Chris V wrote:
JodieLyn wrote:
ah.. start directing grandparents to lovely things TO DO.. like what about a membership to a museum or aquarium.. or if the girls like something special like dancing.. maybe tickets to see a fun performance..
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Yes! Why had I not thought of this? Wonderful idea! Thank you. |
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Be aware that this might not work. My in-laws were like yours and when we suggested memberships my mother-in-law said that there wasn't any fun for children in opening a membership. We tried repeatedly to let them know that we did not want so much, nor did we need everything in a line of toys all at once. In the process, we unintentionally hurt feelings. My mother-in-law died in March and the presents are under control, but I have learned something. My mother-in-law received great joy in being able to give, in seeing the reactions on my children's faces. The giving was about my children, but it was also about bringing joy to my mother-in-law. My recommendation, if your in-laws don't like the membership idea would be to return some of the gifts to stores and use the money to buy a membership, or simply give them away, but don't continue to express your wishes to your in-laws. Don't let their generosity be a point of contention between you and them. Be grateful and always speak positively about their gift-giving in front of your children.
You are in my prayers, I know how hard it can be when you have overly generous in-laws.
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Christine
Mommy to 4 girls, 5 boys, & 2 in God's care
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Pretty Lilla Rose
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Chris V
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Christine wrote:
Be aware that this might not work. My in-laws were like yours and when we suggested memberships my mother-in-law said that there wasn't any fun for children in opening a membership. We tried repeatedly to let them know that we did not want so much, nor did we need everything in a line of toys all at once. In the process, we unintentionally hurt feelings. My mother-in-law died in March and the presents are under control, but I have learned something. My mother-in-law received great joy in being able to give, in seeing the reactions on my children's faces. The giving was about my children, but it was also about bringing joy to my mother-in-law. |
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Certainly. Wise words Christine, thank you.
christine wrote:
My recommendation, if your in-laws don't like the membership idea would be to return some of the gifts to stores and use the money to buy a membership, or simply give them away, but don't continue to express your wishes to your in-laws. |
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I would never provide unsolicited suggestions. They are quite frank about asking for them, just not so much about taking them.
christine wrote:
Don't let their generosity be a point of contention between you and them. Be grateful and always speak positively about their gift-giving in front of your children. |
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Of course. I wouldn't have it anyother way.
christine wrote:
You are in my prayers, I know how hard it can be when you have overly generous in-laws. |
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Ey, yes. My in-laws are not only generous with material items, but they are quite of heart. They are adored by my children immensely. Under no circumstances would I jeapordize their precious relationship.
I thank you for your prayers Christine 
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Chris
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Sarah M
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| Posted: Jan 13 2010 at 10:32pm | IP Logged
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So then perhaps YOUR gift could be more experience-focused. A special trip to.... NW Trek, Point Defiance Zoo, Hands-On Children's Museum (you probably already know this but the HOCM is *much* better than the Tacoma Children's Museum), or tickets to a play? There are some great ones at the Seattle Children's Theater, and sometimes good ones at the Broadway Center for Performing Arts in Tacoma.
You know what I'd love to do for my little guy for a birthday? Go to a hotel overnight. He *loves* hotel stays, because we get to sleep somewhere else and SWIM!
Just some ideas, but you know Chris, I think you've got the right idea- focus on making the day all about Autumn. If it's her special day, that will mean more to her than any gift could, anyway.
Ooh! One more idea: a mommy date. (or a daddy date). My kids absolutely *love* one-on-one time, and sad to say, even with just three kids, they rarely get it. I think a special outing with mama would make a lovely gift. Go get some ice cream, sit in a bookstore and read to her, play outside (oh wait. we live in the Pac NW-- it's raining)...
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Christine
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I was thinking a little bit more about possibilities and I came up with the following:
A Mass tote from Peter's Path. I purchased one with this pattern at the homeschool conference last year and my little boy claimed it as his. He really likes taking it to Mass. It contains two little Latin Mass books for children and his younger sister's doll. He enjoys being in charge of getting his Mass book, and giving a Mass book to his brother and the doll to his sister.
A nice children's bedding set. If she already has bedding, you might consider getting some accessories for her room. One of my daughters was wanting a round canopy in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog.
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Christine
Mommy to 4 girls, 5 boys, & 2 in God's care
Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother
Pretty Lilla Rose
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JodieLyn
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Sarah M wrote:
| oh wait. we live in the Pac NW-- it's raining |
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But what 3 yr old wouldn't love a new pair of rubber boots and getting to go splashing through puddles and coming home to a warm bath and hot chocolate with mom.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Turning 3! Finding a worthy gift...
