What are people buying grandchildren for Christmas?

My 5 year old dgd will be going with me to buy a personalised teddy/doll and my dgs will be getting a set of thomas the tank engine books. They have so much from cousins and the other side that we keep it all very small.

My 4 year old DGD is getting 2 Disney DVDs and a Blaze Monster Machine from me as agreed with DD today. I was looking at getting her a Hatchimal but they are £59.99 in Argos, I would have got her one as I have a love2shop giftcard but DD said she didn't think they were worth the money.

My 6 year old granddaughter has written me a Christmas list, on it is an American doll, I think this is the brand rather than a doll that specifically comes from America, I haven't heard of them, but I hadn't heard of what she wanted last year, something called "Shopkins" Happily I tracked those down. She also put cloths on her list, I guess she means clothes not sure she'd be impressed with say floor cloths. For her brother, 2 and a half and mad about cars, she has asked for these on his behalf. I have managed to buy on line a Little Tikes fairly large, sturdy car transporter with cars which I think he will really like. I also buy them small things such as colouring pencils and books.

I very much recommend the sylvanian family range for younger children...the beechwood house lights up...encourages social & imaginative role play, with plenty of 'add on's' to buy for later occasions...a camper van....family bakery etc....hours of imaginative play...and a few peaceful moments for mums & dads along the way!..x

We only have one grandchild at mo. We have bought her a few bits and pieces, mainly as DD requested and will give them a cheque for the little one's 'college fund'. don't believe in them having too many things - gives them unrealistic expectations!! I always made a point of telling my DD and DS sometimes that I could not afford things.

I remember getting knitted jumpers every yr from my nan and Aunty n being thrilled with them. I wonder what chn would think about that now? Chn have soooo much now ir is it just me who thinks this?

The crisis at xmas is a kind & very thoughful gift for adult teenagers....lovely thing to do!..xx

We have gor our DGD a nail varnish set which she can print butterfly's flowers etc on her nails...a charm to go on her Thomas Sabo bracelet..and a where's Wally book.

00ps...on here...not her!

At just two years old ..it's quite difficult..as my adorable & appreciative little Granddaughter has many toys due to birthday gifts recently...
will possibly add to sylvanian family house bought for birthday gift......and some savings money......wonder what what all other Nannies on her consider for two year olds..???

'benefit'

'Reasonable' but not over the top. Agree that we all have far too much nowadays and it is nice to do something for a charity where someone else will beneither.

Our GS birthday is 6 days before Christmas so makes it doubly difficult. Said I would never give him a joint birthday/Christmas present but last year we did just that as it was a bigger gift than wd be usual. It was a farmset so he had that for his b/day and some farm animals Christmas day so he had something to open. He was only 2 then so want to give him something reasonable to open B/day and Christmas this year

Various Brio for DGS2 to add to the set he has. I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on with some of it (a collapsing bridge and a station where you can record your own announcement to passengers). One reviewer did ask when the Brio replacement bus service set would be released, for extra authenticity

We ask our DC what the children should have, as they're just 3 and under and have loads of toys. Still waiting to hear what DGS1 and 3 need. Last year we were asked for money, as DGS1 has his birthday days before Christmas and DGS3 was only a few months old. We have a set limit for all Christmas and birthday presents for each of the lads, so are happy to give the cash for their savings, if that's what their mum and dad want.

And the OP was what are grandparents planning to buy for their grandchildren for Christmas?, not 'do children need all these presents at Christmas?'.

We know it has become too commercial, but that is the fault of the manufacturers, advertisers, retailers etc, not the children themselves I think.

Even the Christmas adverts for retailers cost a fortune - could that be spent by the retailers giving that sum to charity? Would they?

But - a lot of them will be acting in Nativity plays (with a real donkey at ours) and going to Christingle services too as well as looking forward to Santa Claus and presents.

And children do love to spend money buying presents for Mummy, Daddy, grandparents and friends from their pocket money so they learn how to give as well.
As well as learning about children less fortunate than themselves and perhaps making up shoe boxes, donating gifts to those children, so it's not all 'want, want, want'.

Unfortunately very little of all this has anything to do with the real Christmas message and is all about 'want, want, want!'. I think kids simply get too many toys and are utterly spoilt these days and no happier for it. Sorry, I know I am deviating a bit from the original question.

Grandmaz we do the one £40 present too - works brilliantly.

Crikey nannypiper. I'm with rosesarered. £30 plenty. That's more than I will be spending - more like £20 in this household. I am not mean and not poverty stricken but frankly £300????? I do use ebay and this year acquired a huge trampoline for free - its amazing what you can do if you keep your eyes open. I prefer to give them little things during the year when they need them and do help DD with shoes and stuff - but showering them with presents is not my bag.

I used to buy computer accessories for my eldest BC and Lego for my youngest. But now my 12 year old GS informs me that he has a girlfriend and wants toiletries, I think aftershave is going too far. My eldest GS who is 20 only wants money and doesn't talk to me anyway but is quick enough to bank my cheque for birthday and Christmas. I really don't want to give him anything but it will cause such a falling out with my daughter in law, and my son doesn't need the agro. So £30 each for birthdays and Christmas plus small present for the youngest BC. ?

My seven year old and five year old GDs have heaps of toys. In fact other then Lego the oldest prefers craft items and books . They go on at least two holidays a year and come to me and /or the other grandparents (who live fairly near to me) for some half terms and summer hols. They always share a soap bag . So I have bought one per child and filled it with all sorts of useful and fun toiletries for when they go away. I shall have to persuade Mum to ensure they are kept for that purpose before everything disappears forever .

Last year, for my eldest grandson (19 years old) and his girlfriend I bought two Crisis at Christmas places on their behalf. They really appreciated that two people would gain by them not having a gift. Thirteen year old granddaughter...money...ok I know that is a cop out. Younger four clothes and small toy.

At 10 and 8 my younger DGD still likes dolls but the older one doesn't. I buy them clothes, stationery, beauty products, little bits as stocking fillers, DVDs, cuddly toys, craft stuff (not all at once). They have their own room in my house so what I buy and most of what their dad buys stays in my house.

I don't exchange presents with my grandsons aged 58 and 45 but I send money to the older ones daughter aged 18. My granddaughter is married with three small children and I send a large cheque to her because the children seem to have everything being spoilt by my son.. My niece has three grown up sons so I send her money which they spend on a family meal out.

We have 16 grandchildren - £30 is plenty