A kid that has everything!

16 years ago

DD has a friend (3) that has every toy you can think of. His room is full to brim-big/medium/small things. Boy toys, girl toys, educational toys, music, books-EVERYTHING! He's a nice little boy, doesn't act spoiled, but geez louise!! His parents plus grands buy him all of it. DD gets overwhelmed when we play at his "toy store"!! Then in his yard, he's got all the outdoor stuff too.

So, guess who's got a b-day coming up?? What could I possibly get him?

I asked his mom who didn't have any ideas, but said he has a ton of clothes too! A few of my ideas, I saw in his room the last time we were there! The only other thing I could think of was maybe art supplies, that he has, but at least they get used up pretty quickly?

Any ideas?

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Comments (24)

azzalea
16 years ago
I'd probably go with books. Or I'd go to the teaching store in your area and get a good educational toy. Or how about a subscription to a magazine like Ranger Rick, or a zoo, aquarium membership or tickets to a children's play?

Sad when you see that--you just know he's got everyTHING, but there's no doubt something he isn't getting or his parents would feel so guilty that they have to overindulge that way.
dotmom
16 years ago
Thats too bad. When you HAVE everything....whats there to look forward to? A magazine subscription sounds like an great idea. I feel sorry for this kid. Dottie
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paula_pa
16 years ago
My nephews have always had everything but trust me, it's not from guilt. They've been raised very well (they're great teens now) and are well loved but there are just so many things on the market that when you can afford to buy things, it's hard not to. They have many relatives that love to buy them things too. I really try to keep it manageable with Nick but it's not easy. It takes a lot of willpower.

I was looking at catalogs from when I was a kid and toys were about the same price as today, even more expensive in many cases, and that was almost 30-40 years ago when salaries were a lot lower. My parents really couldn't afford to spoil us but now as grandparents, it's very manageable for them to pick up toys for the grandkids.

I would just pick something nice and make sure there is a gift receipt to go along with it OR perhaps a gift card but how fun is that for a 3-year old? Are there any local activities that you could treat him to - like a zoo? Warm weather is coming so many you can get him a new swim suit or swim shoes which the mom may not have got around to buying for him yet.
foggyj
16 years ago
I'd go with books. Rolls of paper are fun to make outlines of people on, etc. Coloring books, sticker books, reading books, magazine subscriptions are a good idea too.
teresava
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone!

Normally a magazine would be a great idea. Someone gave that to DD one year (either National Geo for kids or something similar) but I know he gets one of them already (of course!) and he has lots of books too.

I've been trying to think of a place he could visit. Fortunately/unfortunately, the National Zoo here is free (but they get you on parking!) Maybe a little petting zoo would be fun?
patti43
16 years ago
What? No petting zoo in their backyard? LOL! How about a donation toward his college fund--or a savings bond?
bestlawn
16 years ago
I don't know if it's wrong or not, but I kinda want my gift to be used and appreciated. I can't imagine him playing with anything more than once or twice since he already has his favorite stuff. So, I'd try to go with something he can benefit from later, like Patti said a savings bond. Or perhaps, I'd try to introduce him to something he hasn't done like pay for his first piano lesson or guitar, whichever one he isn't already studying. Obviously, money is not object with his family and they want every advantage so if he likes it, they'd keep it up. Lessons begin as early as 3 years old.

Is there no Chuck E Cheese or Jeepers near you?
angela_nor_calif
16 years ago
How about a movie? THere are so many. He couldn't possibly have them all. Maybe a Disney movie. For some reason The Fox and The Hound comes to mind. I love that movie.
bestlawn
16 years ago
Good one! I bought it for my boys when they were 4 & 6 years old.
They still watch it at 8 & 10.
bigbaby
16 years ago
How about a gift certificate at McDonalds or some other fun place to eat in the area? Or for bowling or the movies or something? How old is he?
User
16 years ago
Why not be different and bake him some yummy cookies. Something homemade would be something he doesn't have.
wildchild
16 years ago
I've known kids like that. I bet most of his toys are stuff that is "in" like stuff attached to some movie,cartoon who requires batteries or a computer chip.

My first choice would be basic art supplies like clay, fingerpaints,construction paper,stencil sets,water crayons (they turn into watercolors when dampened)colored chalk etc.

Construction toys would also be on my list. Not ones that build a certain thing but ones that the child builds with using their imagination. Basic Lego sets,Tinkertoys,and basic large wooden block sets would fall into this category.

Beach or sand toys are good too at this time of the year.

If he has a favorite character you could buy a set of sheets ,towels or a beach towel and sand toys, or children's dinnerware with that character on it. Or a T shirt with the character with the child's name put on it at a shirt shop.
good36
16 years ago
Maybe a gift Certificate to bring your DD and him to supper and a movie at a future date. Otherwise maybe chuckie cheese night out!
Judy
Maura63
16 years ago
I haven't checked recently, but years ago Lands End had a cute towel and wash cloth set for kids. You can choose an emblem (sailboat, fire truck, etc.) and have it monogrammed.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dot Art and books, etc.
Maura63
16 years ago
I am not sure why my whole message didn't appear, but the second part was about an activity my kids liked at that age. That's what the link if for.....
jannie
16 years ago
Books or art supplies.
adellabedella_usa
16 years ago
I'd give him a plant so he could water it and watch it grow.
mary_c_gw
16 years ago
Buy the kid age-appropriate art supplies! Or a gift certificate to a local book store.

This is an issue I've struggled with before, and I know you will all think I'm a crank...BUT, really..

No gift certificates to petting zoos or "whatever". "Whatever" includes anything a parent has to "plan and do". These gifts, while well intentioned, put a burden on the parents, and they may not be able to, or even want to fulfill. But the child then KNOWS it's a possibility! I have asthma, I don't much like small furry barn animals, so that petting zoo gift certificate would be wasted. And I don't want a gift certificate to Chuck E. Cheese, either. We don't go there. Please don't introduce this idea to my child.

The large roll of art paper is a winner, as is a DVD movie of something age appropriate. Books are wonderful, as are GC's to a local book store.

Please don't give a gift that puts a burden on the parents! They are already busy.
sheilajoyce_gw
16 years ago
Books for sure.
FlamingO in AR
16 years ago
How about a craft type of children's book, along with the needed supplies? Or maybe a play-date where you take the kiddo over to your house and let him craft with DD, but that would be more like a gift to the parents, I guess? :)
teresava
Original Author
16 years ago
Okay, so after wandering in Target for a while, I stumbled upon the gift...a KITE!! It will be a good Mommy or Daddy/Son Outing. I know my DD is nuts about them. Maybe he's got one already, but you can never have too many right?? I even got one for a kid whose b-day will be in May-I figure I'll be busy for a while, so gotta stock up!

Thanks for the ideas-I'm going to keep them and refer back whenever I'm stuck for a gift!
liz
16 years ago
How bout just an old fashioned play date with your DD....when a kid has EVERYTHING, about the only thing you can give them and that they would probably LOVE is your time!! it doesn't have to be anything fancy...play in the park...have lunch at a fun place....go to an ice cream store...He'll remember that forever instead of the material stuff which is forgot about pretty quick!
bulldinkie
16 years ago
My daughternlaw is like that.What the kidss dont have she buys at yard sales.The oldest is 3 so they have like 4 motorized bikes,jeep etc,3 bikes that I saw. every year she has birthday party ...next sat .is this years party.Its rediculous.So her mother bought a swing set last fall,that wasnt good enough she added on this year.
I buy savings bondsI figure she cant spend them,and he'll have them maybe for college.
socks
16 years ago
This thread has just stuck in my mind because I think it is so sad for children to be overindulged like this.

I think this is why often children from wealthy families are troubled--they have nothing to look forward to, to aspire to, to earn, because they already have it all. They have the BMW, all the clothes they want, travel, etc.

A kid that has everything!

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azzalea

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