It's gift time again - this time for the littler ones amongst us.
Boys or girls - there is no reason why any of these gifts wouldn't be suitable for either. I will say that I have found these with my boys in mind - it's research that I've done and since I've had so many messages asking for gift ideas, I've thought that whilst I'm trawling through, I may as document and share the research.
I've tried to find the cheapest prices (although irritatingly they do change from day to day) and will be ordering most of them - only not all as it would be excessive! Am assuming that my small boys (well - they're not even that little any more - 9 and 11) do not read the blog.
There's no assuming to be done actually - I know for a fact they don't. So no worries about any surprises being spoilt.
My two are also very different so the gifts reflect that - gone are the days when I could or had to double up as they'd get upset if one got what the other wanted.
First up the 9yr old is desperate for a new safe. To put money in. Nothing else of any value, I hasten to point out. We did have them a couple of years ago from Smiggle but they're starting to get stiff now so one of these is definitely going to be bought.
I always do a big book order from The Book People. Only arse about this is that they do have the logo BOOK PEOPLE all over their boxes which isn't the most subtle at Christmas.. "Who's that for Mummy?" Thanks a bunch.. BUT they do have bargains and I can get it all in one order and they often have an offer or free gift with purchase on.
These are what I mostly give the children for their stocking fillers. Along with chocolate wrapped up for bulk and the obligatory new pencils, it's practical from mean old Santa all the way.
These are what I mostly give the children for their stocking fillers. Along with chocolate wrapped up for bulk and the obligatory new pencils, it's practical from mean old Santa all the way.
The following are all on a 2 for £5 offer. It says that it was a Black Friday offer but it seems to stand.
This is for the 11yr old. He LOVES these. I literally cannot see the numbers wearing my glasses and using a magnifier glass. For very young eyes only. Have a look to see if they also have the Dr Who or Marvel one. He has a random one of famous people, but I know he doesn't have them.
The smaller one is much more creative when it comes to art and so this will be right up his street.
He also loves to copy drawings from his ipad, especially cartoons so THIS is a total no brainer. I feel more smug than I should at discovering this...
These I am definitely getting for both of them - 2 for a fiver - stocking fillings R US.
Now free delivery over £25 which means I need to bump the order up.
Ripley's Believe it Or Not £8.99 (and this is the cheapest place I could find it... it may be on 3 for 2 somewhere but with the 15% discount and not then having to pay postage and all done in one order.. DONE!)
And then this one as it will go down exceptionally well with a small boy with Asperger's who loves busting a myth that he thinks people are stupid for believing in the first place...
The Fact or Fiction Behind Urban Myths £5.99
Then the 9yr old has decided he wants to go down the rabbit hole that is Lego. He goes through stages of loving it but the 11yr old has always taken over which has left the poor younger one really demoralised. With a new some sort of Playstation thing on the way, we're hoping that he will be distracted and let the little one get on with his own gig.
SO. He's said "any Lego but a big set.." He's not particularly into Star Wars and I have heard that they are the weakest of the Lego sets and he did look far more excited when I mentioned Ninjago. Which is handy as they are the ones that seem to have offers on. Ones that I've found that look like good deals are..
Lego Ninjago Movie Green Ninja Mech Dragon was £44.99 now £39.99
Or the Ninjago Lego Movie Destiny's Bounty £84.99 This ranges from £95 to £110 elsewhere. John Lewis is definitely the cheapest I've found it.
Lego Ninjago Movie Temple of the Ultimate Weapon was £79 now £63.20 Cheapest I've found is from Tesco. And I have looked everywhere. What I've also noticed is that some places change their prices daily.. so if you see a good deal - BAG IT. I can't believe I have become so obsessive about Lego. Usually shoes - this week LEGO...
And to go with that - I'm throwing in the annual.
The Lego Ninjago Movie Annual 2018 was £7.99 now £4
And two more things to add to the stocking fillers.
Lego Ninjago Movie Figures £2.99 from Tesco (as in I'll buy two of them...)
Obligatory board games... for this one, don't forget the cream... We don't even call squirty cream that anymore, it's now called Pie Face cream.
Pie Face Sky High Game £19.99 from Argos
Although I'm not sure if we need that one as well as Pie Face the original so this is the one I think we'll go for instead.
Speak Out £12.99 at John Lewis (cheapest I could find it)
Slightly disconcertingly, this seems to be from 16+ even though the 9yr old has asked for it. EEK. Not sure how he knows about it. I've found this which I think is probably better... dread to think why that one is 16+.. some fruity things to say possibly? Definitely sticking to this one.
Speak Out Kids vs Parents £16 at Tesco (same price at Argos).
Whilst we're talking board games - two that my boys love and we don't mind playing (the husband likes Scotland Yard and I like Destination - don't ask...).
Scotland Yard Game £16.99 from Tesco I'm not going to lie - I think this is quite complicated. Apparently it's not once you get started - the boys love it.
And then back in the room with the practical. Hats. Was in Hollister today (yes they have changed their lighting in the one in Bluewater, yes you can see) and thought I'd treat the boys to something that isn't from a "baby shop" as they've started calling it *weeps*.
Guys Ribbed Logo Beanie Hat was £17 now £11.90
Patterned Knit Beanie was £17 now £11.90
And as you can never have two many gloves and they're essentially disposable in our house.
2 pack gloves from H&M £3.99
And here I was for some Christmas shopping and work today.
Mon Coeur jumper - Orwell + Austen (ss17)
Superstar sneakers - Golden Goose (ss15)
Navy wide leg trousers - M&S (new in)
Green trench - Acne (sale ss17)
Leopard Happy Satchel - Hill & Friends (gift aw16)
I am now off to order from my list which is a massive chunk of the ordering done. Although doesn't it always go that you think you have loads for one. So you order more for the other one. Which means in reality you have practically nothing for the first one and a stack of Veruca Salt proportions for the one you initially had diddly squat for. Every. Freaking. Year.
I do have some stocking fillers coming up at the weekend. And ones that are useful. Yes I am a mean mummy, yes I have hoovered up way too many pieces of tat to want to buy any more!
Great ideas Kat. The safe has just been ordered for my 10 yr old! So far I've got him cycle glasses (v cheap at Aldi), charcoal pencils (HomeSense), Alex Rider books (Book People) brain games for kids book (Amazon) teddy bear v shaped pillow (for reading books in bed, Dunelm) and a personalised onesie from Bathrobes UK (Idea from I Won't Wear Sludge Brown). Plus the obligatory Xbox games and sportswear 10 year olds love!
ReplyDeleteooh and Rummikub! Apparantly if you like Uno, you will love Rummikub
DeleteMine LOVE Uno (I HATE it - I know I know I know) but I will deffo then look into Rummikub thank you xxx
DeleteYes - school socks would be a crime against Christmas. I can't believe you asked even in jest!
ReplyDeleteCrying laughing here.. not even I could do that!! They usually do get normal socks though... I normally throw in some with my H&M order!
DeleteI love your gift ideas for boys! Actually those Ninjago sets (esp Destiny's Bounty) are on my 9 yo's wishlist for Santa. Except where I am, the sets cost TWICE as much! Have you heard of "Exploding Kittens"? Its a great family card game, highly recommended! (Amazon sells it).
ReplyDeleteWhere are you? I think the Ninjago lego movie stuff is the ONLY stuff that's on offer in the UK at the mo. But the prices vary so so so much even here! And no - I am on Exploding Kittens thank you!
DeleteThe London Game is a great board game. And your kids end up learning the tube map which saves you from having to explain a zillion times on any trip to London how many stops it is from X to Y etc.
ReplyDeleteAlso - Carcassone.
And best stocking fillers we ever got? Balloon modelling kits.
OOH now I think we've played that but I can't remember where....is it where you can block the other players from travelling across London? Nw where the hell was that?.... Thanks for the reminder!
DeleteExploding kittens it's awesome.. Great family game. Thanks for the blog on gifts, I've a hubby who's a big kid, do I think the speak out is a must buy, we do table presents, I've decided everybody is getting a game, I've way to keep them up the table after us women slog away for months prepping for this day.. thanks for the thumbs up.
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY! Small boy with Asperger's and ADHD literally eats in 3 mins and then wants to get down from the table. Does NOT understand the concept of why he should watch other people eat. Seriously - it's torture for him. BUT if we play a game - happy days! We always buy them. I've got some great options coming up on Saturday!
DeleteSpeak out parents v kids is 14.53 on Amazon prime
ReplyDeletethat's a great price! I've ordered mine to collect from Tesco with the Lego... I think I might be there with one of the kids. WHOOP!
DeleteI'm looking for pressies for 12 and 14 year old boys and finding it tricky... They would love the Hollister beanies. Cool Scottish pants for stockings at www.bawbags.com/mens/boxers.html The 'may contains nuts' ones were super popular (undies risk being a Christmas crime, but these are special...) I think the youngest will love this Ninja cookie set https://www.tesco.com/direct/funky-hampers-ninjabread-cookie-kit/338-3951.prd?source=others
ReplyDeleteIt's stocking fillers that are hard, isn't it? SO SO SO easy for girls of that age but boys?? Doing a post on stocking fillers today and hopefully there will be some ideas for them!
DeleteI would just recommend Letterbox library to all your followers for books. I'm a reader for them and all of their books have been closely looked at to ensure that they present positive images of diversity - as well as a good story.https://www.letterboxlibrary.com. I also recommend Banangrams as it comes in a handy banana and doesn't need a board so great for travelling!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!
DeleteThe Aromatherapy Gifts are special presents whenever of the year and for each event. supplier of corporate gift in singapore
ReplyDeleteVery cool collection of gift items. Normal bouquets are out of fashion now a days, but a trend of fruit basket delivery as a gift in Singapore is rising in youth.
ReplyDelete