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Gift giving throughout the year

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I love giving gifts – it’s one of those things that just makes me really happy and part of giving a thoughtful gift is planning. I have a Gift Giving Notebook in Evernote in the notebook I have a few notes here’s how it works out:

*Gift ideas for specific ages – this note started a few months ago when I started hearing people online talk about Play Kitchens and I decided I would just whip up a little chart with a column for age ranges and another column for gift ideas. It’s been a pretty awesome note to look to when I was buying Christmas presents this year and for some Birthday presents. I have a niece who is four – I asked her Mom what she most loved playing with over the last year and I wrote those things down. I have a birthday party for a very special three year old this weekend and I’m WAY more confident about our present. I think those age ranges on the toy box can be really off base.

*I’d really love a – This is my favorite note…its like a letter to Santa. When a person casually mentions something either on their blog, or facebook, or in person I’ll make a little note. Like a friend of mine mentioned that she’d like a specific necklace and she said it in a “I’ll never get it but boy I’d really love it” way so I wrote it down….I sent the idea on to her husband for an upcoming birthday – it wouldn’t be an appropriate gift for me but this guy is going to look like a rock star and she’s going to LOVE it. I love this note. It also helps me with the “What do I get a problem like Maria…” problem – without this list Maria would be getting a variety of Bath & Body Works products she probably wouldn’t love.

*A gift for me – I keep a list of a few things that I’d like or that Lexi would like/need. I find that when I ask someone if they’d like anything that I actually do want an answer – sure, it’s nice to be surprised but sometimes it’s nice to just get something that you actually would like.

I do have a request of you today….I need to add some gift ideas on this list for a two year old and a three year old. So, what do I put on the list?

Posted by Cass on Jan 13, 2010 print article e-mail to a friend

Sandy

I think that all 2 and 3 year olds like a tent/fort. Someplace to hide. Not a bad idea for 50 year old either! Kids like to get in and out, they don’t really want to stay in one place but love to go in and out.
Lara Mikkelsen

I am a mom of a 6 year old boy and a 2 year old girl. In our experience, you can never go wrong with cars, rain gear, special coloring crayons (we love the Melissa and Doug triangular crayons– http://www.melissaanddoug.com/one-dozen-triangular-crayons-art-and-crafts –they have lasted YEARS and still look new! ) and a coloring book. Food gear is always fun to receive as well and has a great use… Lunch boxes or totes and thermoses or cute drink cups and cool straws…. My kids are big fans of things that can be every day use and not just something to put up and look at…. I’m sure whatever you give, the children will love knowing you thought of them.
SarahButtonedUp

Thanks for the great ideas Lara! I hadn’t heard of the Melissa & Doug crayons – but I am on my way to learn more. (My boys are 5 & 2, so we go through crayons).

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