Christmas is coming and I have a two year old and a five year old. My wife and I are pretty stumped about what to get our kids for Christmas. The two year old is easy; he doesn't care, will be thrilled with a ball, and just happy to be included.
The five year old is very down to earth and grateful for anything, but he already has everything he needs because up to now we've tried to be smart about buying him things that will last and give him good enjoyment mileage. He has plenty of Legos, an assortment of figurines (farm animals, fantasy creatures, little play houses, action figures, cars.), plenty of outside balls and whatnot. He also doesn't need consumable stuff (has plenty of candy from Halloween, crayons, coloring books, crafty supplies)
He doesn't need more stuff, but we still want Christmas morning to feel special and exciting and we want him to have a good "Santa came!!!" experience. I like the idea of giving experiences like tickets to Disney on Ice or a voucher to an ice cream shop, but that just doesn't have the same effect for a five year old, cause he can't hold it and it's really just a promise for the future.
Any advice or suggestions would be really appreciated!
5 years old is potentially old enough to start learning how to ride a bike. This is a skill that will last their entire life, and will feel new and exciting.
Ask him to write a letter to Santa, with a Christmas list. You find out if there's anything he wants, and get him to practice his writing and manners :)
Honestly my Santa sack filled with some treats, including my OWN WHOLE MANGO was ultimate excitement for me as a small kid!
You don't need to think big, and you can go healthy.
Other than that you could always have a chat to him about how some people aren't so lucky in what they have in life, see if he would donate a few toys he doesn't use anymore, and replace them with some new books/toys, teach the joy of giving as well as recieving
Yep. Mangoes are common where I live, but I have never forgotten the time we got a little bag each of cherries from santa. Taste sensation! And old books have kids receiving oranges from santa....
Honestly give the kid books and interesting rare fruit and some more lego bricks and they will have a ball.
Might be more of a whole family thing, or a mom/dad +kiddo at least, as it needs a smartphone to function (free in Play/App store), but the experience of seeing microscopic things and "wee beasties" could be super fun! 🤓🙌🏽
I always tried to have Santa bring something healthy to eat, something not so healthy, a book or two, a small soft friend, something that can make noise/be made to make noise/music, and something that can move/be made to move. And a pair of socks! (Stockings in stockings)
A pair of binoculars and some kid-focused book to start/learn bird and/or nature watching? Taking him to someplace where he can practice watching birds. Add to that a nice sketchbook and a small portable paint box or colored pencils in order to draw said birds.
That would make for an original and very stimulating/creative gift, and potentially this could be a fun and exciting motivation for more outdoor activities :)