fruitofthewomb Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 My other thread has me thinking about this-what has been the best present you have ever gotten your kids? I am thinking in terms of 1) the immediate reaction 2) long term use/quality/value etc. Include your kids age at the time. So far for me: When my older girls were 4 & 6 they received American Girl dolls from a real life 'Santa' (a generous family friend who insisted they go under the tree from the big guy). 3 years later they are still in great shape, well loved, & frequently played with. As I mentioned in my other thread-when oldest dd was 3 we bought the Loving Family dollhouse. Still in use today (6 yrs later) and has held up very well. Play kitchen was another winner. Along with books. Ok-your turn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Toys? Not one. My kids have never played with toys. Not even the much beloved (on WTM) Legos (waste of money at my house). Cardboard boxes, laundry baskets, and towels were big though. Not really gift worthy though. Grandma is the gift winner - iDevices. Most long term use so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaceful Isle Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 The kindles are the most loved gifts! Next to that would be any art supplies, and the rainbow loom. Legos are fun, but my kids get bored of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 The Melissa & Doug easel (chalkboard on one side, whiteboard on the other, roll of paper, tray for paint cups) has been in use for I think four years now. The height adjusts. Well done, grandma! Wooden cut-apart fruit, too, was used for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Rokenbok starting at age 4 (3 years ago). It gets added to each year and there are screams and squeals at new arrivals. Ds plays with it every single day. He even writes stories about it. A very close second is our wooden train set, which is also played with daily. Ds makes his own buildings for it and it has become a huge city spread out over my bedroom floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeteranMom Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Leapsters have been the best present in our household. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Legos American Girl doll Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Play kitchen with the wooden food with velcro to cut it apart Marble runs and domino run sets - these have all been combined Play silks Fort kit that I made 2 years ago gets lots of use still Playmobil & Lego Art supplies Keva Planks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vera Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 The complete set of Calvin and Hobbes. They were thrilled and many, many years later, I still catch them reading it when they are home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*lifeoftheparty* Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Lego and snap circuits Snap circuits are not only a big hit at home, but he has brought them to co-op and such, and all the kids flock to them and can play with them forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 For my girls it was the Loving family doll house they each got for Christmas when they were 3. They got more pieces for birthdays and Christmas and played with those things daily for about 10 years. Son loved Legos but the biggest hit was x box.......but mom prefers legos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I have to say the best bang for my buck was the year I started the tradition of giving them each their own jar of pickles. Pure Joy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AimeeM Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Magnatiles (not a Christmas present, but a birthday present) Archiquest Blocks ... really, all blocks and building sets received (Legos included) AG dolls (DD received them when she was too old for them to be USED for years to come - I think around 10/11 - but even at 13, they have a place of honor in her bedroom, and I find her brushing their hair or without new outfits on, lol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari C in SC Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Well.. Not toys. None of my kids have ever really been toy kids. Not even when they were little. They have always loved their gadgets though. From way back, over 20 years ago to the cassette player with microphone, to a Sega, to a Tamogotchi, to black and white game boy, scannerz, color game boy, Playstation 1, 2, and 3, CD players, iPods, Nintendo ds, Wii, Kindle, Ipad, cell phone. These are the the the things that have gotten used in the 25 years of parenting for me. I have bought Legos, doll houses, art kits, science kits, sports equipment, games, etc. most of that gets left alone. There are 3 toys that got used by one or more of my kids. Scooters (all 3 kids), a bike for my oldest and nerf guns for both my boys. The ony other things I can think of that genuinely got used were clothes, jewelry, and backpacks. Oh and food. Their favorite treat gets eaten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 1. It's so cliche, but honestly, Skylanders. Cliche because they made that whole commercial that was just kids screaming when they opened the box, but that's exactly what my kids did. I should have filmed it. They could have been in the ad. 2. Probably Rat-a-Tat-Cat. It was such a cheap little game but we played it nearly daily for two years. They've nearly outgrown it, but we still play it sometimes. It's been to Africa and Paris and Las Vegas and all the grandparents' houses. It was just a staple of our game play for so long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meadowlark Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 My other thread has me thinking about this-what has been the best present you have ever gotten your kids? I am thinking in terms of 1) the immediate reaction 2) long term use/quality/value etc. Include your kids age at the time. So far for me: When my older girls were 4 & 6 they received American Girl dolls from a real life 'Santa' (a generous family friend who insisted they go under the tree from the big guy). 3 years later they are still in great shape, well loved, & frequently played with. As I mentioned in my other thread-when oldest dd was 3 we bought the Loving Family dollhouse. Still in use today (6 yrs later) and has held up very well. Play kitchen was another winner. Along with books. Ok-your turn! Good to know as my 3 yr. old is getting the loving family dollhouse this year! Toys? Not one. My kids have never played with toys. Not even the much beloved (on WTM) Legos (waste of money at my house). Cardboard boxes, laundry baskets, and towels were big though. Not really gift worthy though. Grandma is the gift winner - iDevices. Most long term use so far. I hear you. Toys in general don't get played with here. Why do I then spend all kinds of money every Christmas thinking I'll finally find something that'll get played with? Sigh. I have a Discovery Toys huge marble run from last year sitting in a bin if anyone is looking for one. Are some kids just programmed to not play with toys? We don't have an overabundance either and it baffles me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busymama7 Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Good to know as my 3 yr. old is getting the loving family dollhouse this year! I hear you. Toys in general don't get played with here. Why do I then spend all kinds of money every Christmas thinking I'll finally find something that'll get played with? Sigh. I have a Discovery Toys huge marble run from last year sitting in a bin if anyone is looking for one. Are some kids just programmed to not play with toys? We don't have an overabundance either and it baffles me. I don't know but what are they doing with their free time? I would cater to that although I would limit screen time. I have found my kids don't play with toys when screens are an option or being overused. It seems to suck their creativeness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Good to know as my 3 yr. old is getting the loving family dollhouse this year! I hear you. Toys in general don't get played with here. Why do I then spend all kinds of money every Christmas thinking I'll finally find something that'll get played with? Sigh. I have a Discovery Toys huge marble run from last year sitting in a bin if anyone is looking for one. Are some kids just programmed to not play with toys? We don't have an overabundance either and it baffles me. I don't know. Actually, I think part of it is the open-endedness of boxes and baskets. Maybe. Legos are pretty open-ended, so I don't know. It's not an overabundance of screen time, they've just never really been interested in toys or "pretend" play (house, doctor, store, school, etc.), since baby and toddlerhood. They do like to play stuff like board games, tag, and climb trees though, so I'm not too terribly worried about it. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto10blessings Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 2. Probably Rat-a-Tat-Cat. It was such a cheap little game but we played it nearly daily for two years. They've nearly outgrown it, but we still play it sometimes. It's been to Africa and Paris and Las Vegas and all the grandparents' houses. It was just a staple of our game play for so long. Yay! This was purchased for a gift this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 The complete set of Calvin and Hobbes. They were thrilled and many, many years later, I still catch them reading it when they are home. My daughter still loves this set years after receiving it. I believe it is why she is such an avid reader in all areas. She stashes the big volumes of C&H all over - under her bed, under the couch, etc. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 when I was five - my grandfather bought me a sled. we even had lots of snow that winter. my dad made me a dollhouse when I was eight. my girls played with it. I bought a fisher price lawn mower for dudeling when he was two. best $15 I ever spent. last year, 1dd hugged - HUGGED - the kitchen aid mixer I bought her. there have been others - toys are eventually overcome by bigger things. we've had bigger things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewingmama Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Top of the List...Skylanders. I hate to think how much money we have sunk into those darn characters but my kids have nearly all of them for all 4 versions of the game. They don't just use them for the game..they use them as action figures, they play with them in doll houses, they write stories and make books about them, they build them weapons out of Lego...the list goes on and on in the hundreds of ways they play with them...including my DD. I give into buying so many of them because of how much imaginative play my kids do with them. Going on 3 years now since they got the first one and its still the favourite gift above all else for Birthdays and Christmas. ..Duplo....My kids like regular Lego but love Duplo because they can build bigger and faster with it. They play daily with this along with the Skylanders. ...Hot Wheels cars...not as popular as the above two items but still come out a lot. Trampoline and scooters are also used daily. ...Stuffed animals...mostly cats and dogs are the favoured ones here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cera Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 By far the wooden play kitchen. We spent hours putting it together that christmas eve but the look on her face was worth it. At 10 she still plays with it sometimes and her 8 year old sister got just as much use out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 2. Probably Rat-a-Tat-Cat. It was such a cheap little game but we played it nearly daily for two years. They've nearly outgrown it, but we still play it sometimes. It's been to Africa and Paris and Las Vegas and all the grandparents' houses. It was just a staple of our game play for so long. That is a fun game. It was a big hit in our house, too. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausmumof3 Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Best pres for my son would be his bike. Eye shining wonder on the day and still being used four years later most days. We gave my dd the same type of bike and she wasn't that taken with it and rarely rides it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Grandma is the gift winner - iDevices. Most long term use so far. I'm beginning to think this is true even for myself. And really holding myself back from buying Legos/American Girl things (For me) because I know the iDevices and such get MUCH more actual use. Not just siting on the desk and looking pretty (After I get them out and put them together finally) Growing up, I'd say the dollhouse and the Legos were the best gifts. Both in amount of time played with as a child and longevity (since I still have both) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc26 Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 We got a ping pong table last year and my boys are playing it as we speak. Should be doing work, but we will just say it is recess time. Awesome gift. iPads were also a huge hit a few years ago. They are getting the Wii U this year. They have been asking for Mario Kart 8 since like June. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 When the kids were younger Fisher Price Little People and the Legos. Then there was a period of Nancy Drew games for the computer but now they are all of an age where decor items, clothing and boots are the big wants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Top of the List...Skylanders. I hate to think how much money we have sunk into those darn characters but my kids have nearly all of them for all 4 versions of the game. They don't just use them for the game..they use them as action figures, they play with them in doll houses, they write stories and make books about them, they build them weapons out of Lego...the list goes on and on in the hundreds of ways they play with them...including my DD. I give into buying so many of them because of how much imaginative play my kids do with them. Going on 3 years now since they got the first one and its still the favourite gift above all else for Birthdays and Christmas. ..Duplo....My kids like regular Lego but love Duplo because they can build bigger and faster with it. They play daily with this along with the Skylanders. ...Hot Wheels cars...not as popular as the above two items but still come out a lot. Trampoline and scooters are also used daily. ...Stuffed animals...mostly cats and dogs are the favoured ones here. Good to know- my ds is getting sky landers for Christmas this year! As a kid one time I got a box full of books. That was pretty awesome. Another time I got a huge box full of different papers, notecards, stamps, stickers, etc. I still remember that and I was probably only 8 or 9. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pod's mum Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 I handsewed a rag doll for this dd a couple of months after she was born. A few years ago she desperately wanted and got, summer clothes for Ruby Rose. Most of which I hand sewed also. Massively appreciated. Last year I finally gave in to ongoing pressure and Ruby Rose got a new face for Christmas. I had resisted because I was afraid of changing the doll's character with a different expression as the old one had nearly worn off with love and washing. This year the request from the girl becoming a woman is.... Please mend Ruby Rose from where the dog-we-sat mauled her and took out an arm (the one that hadn't been rebuilt) and part of her torso. While I'm pleased this doll is so loved, I really hope Ruby Rose learns to take better care of herself if she wants to retain any original parts. She has also spent all year using parts of this entomology set from last Christmas. http://www.entosupplies.com.au/equipment/field/beginner-kits/insect-collecting-%26-mounting-starter-kit-no.1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momofeat Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Last year, we gave "experiences" for Christmas instead of things, and it was great. We combined with my mom to give the whole family season passes to Dollywood. Then my dad gave the girls money specifically for skiing and my son money for baseball lessons. All of these gifts were big hits. Before that, the biggest hits were probably a huge doll house we got used when oldest dd was 3. My middle dd (almost 12) still play with it frequently, and my ds sometimes pretends it's a pirate ship. When oldest dd was in 2nd grade, we gave her tickets to see the Lipizzaner stallions. She was thrilled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.