What are people buying grandchildren for Christmas?

We try very hard not to over-indulge the children ( or adults) in the family. DGS1 wants a Harry Potter outfit. We usually do something you want etc. for the children, and the grown-ups do Secret Santa.

legs55 we bought that jigsaw a couple of years ago is really is very good, may just have another look on their site. DGD has just spoken to her DGF and asked for electric sanders as his, and he has said yes.

Was just thinking the same I am trying to be brave this year and not buy so much

Money for the 7 older GC between 17 and 26. It's been lovely to shop for the 3 little GC. A stool for GD which has been requested and more Brio for the little boys. I've read every post and no one has mentioned Brio train etc. The 2 year old loves his train set and so we are adding to it for him and his 3 week old brother! Yesterday he had help in setting it up through the living room into the kitchen and down the landing and back into the living room. We had 4 trains set up with sidings to reverse into so they could pass each other then travel through a forest to the zoo and then to a station by the airport. He played with it all day. I'm going to be very sad when they advance to cash.

We have 16 grandchildren - £30 is plenty

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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. ?

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.

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

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.

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'.

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?

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.

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

'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.

'benefit'

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..???

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

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.

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

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?

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.