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what presents should I send to 4 year old twins?

(18 Posts)
swji1 Fri 08-Jun-18 10:00:28

Hello! I am finding it very difficult to decide what presents to send to our twin granchildren (boy and a girl) who are having their fourth birthday next month and who live abroad and whose first language is not English. I would really appreciate suggestions from other gransnetters who live far away!
When I ask DS and DIL, I just get vague suggestions of 'anything' or 'they already have plenty of toys' which is NOT helpful! The other problem is that their home is a bit disorganised (my opinion of course) so that there is no identified 'play space', with little furniture that is child height and books are just put in a big box. I have suggested buying a child height table or bookcase but this just gets ignored! Most craft stuff and dressing up clothes are kept in the basement just to be taken out on special occasions so of course don't get used much. However the twins are very much loved and really happy, lively and bright children so I want to give them something they (and parent) will like and use! We visit as often as we can but it is not easy knowing what 4 year olds will really want. Bearing in mind that we have to buy 2 of everything and pay for postage, have other grans in this position any advice!?

Twingles Fri 08-Jun-18 12:07:27

Hi
I find it very difficult to know what to send my little grandson who lives abroad too. Postage can be very expensive so you really have to be careful what you buy.
I have grown up twin girls...my only suggestion is perhaps buy something different for each one. Buying the same thing for twins is not always a good idea.
Other than that I ask for ideas on Amazon.com and order online.
Sorry my post isn't particularly helpful. ?

Belgravian Fri 08-Jun-18 12:13:32

Do you knit or crochet? Or sew?

Two Handmade blankets in different colour ways or styles would be lovely keepsakes if they have plenty of toys.

Or two different money boxes that you've put some small change in their currency to start them off.

JackyB Fri 08-Jun-18 12:28:24

My DGD's step-grandmother on the other side (Oh, these patchwork families!) sent me an e-mail after the little one's birthday last February to say that they had bought her a "Tonie". I have looked for this online in an English version but can't find anything.

It's a robust plastic cube with a selection of dolls which slot into the top (as far as I understand) and you can read the child a story or sing a song into your computer and upload the sound file on to the website. Then your files can be played when the child slots in the doll which corresponds to you.

I haven't figured out how to actually do the uploading yet, but now my other Daughter-in-Law has bought one, too, and so I can read to both grandchildren from afar!

I'll let you know if I find out what they're called in English and if I ever figure out how to work them, because it's a lovely idea for a present which keeps on giving, and nicer than sitting the children in front of the TV for a quiet quarter of an hour.

I am imagining myself buying books, recording myself reading them, and then sending the book over for the child to look at the pictures while listening to me reading it.

tanith Fri 08-Jun-18 12:36:38

I have a 4yr old grandson who lives abroad and I send him Lego and he loves it. It actually is quite light to post but I agree postage is exhorbitant unfortunately.

Mamissimo Fri 08-Jun-18 13:37:20

JackyB I think I’ve found it!
tonies.com/ It’s now in the UK. I googled Tonie Uk and there are lots of results. It looks very clever!

annodomini Fri 08-Jun-18 13:45:59

Where does the family live? If it is possible to order on line, and have the gifts delivered, then you should find that the postage charge is much reduced if not negligible. Lego is certainly what I'd have gone for when my GC were that age - for both boys and girls.

OldMeg Fri 08-Jun-18 13:49:06

Another vote for Lego.

age appropriate of course

jenpax Fri 08-Jun-18 14:10:17

Try not on the high street for unusual personalised gift ideas

Feelingmyage55 Fri 08-Jun-18 14:45:00

Maybe an outdoor shared toy such as a slide or sandpit, which could be delivered by amazon?

BlueBelle Fri 08-Jun-18 15:09:00

There are girl Lego sets too so I m a great advocate of Lego but would mum and dad be ??? Or would it just be thrown in with the rest
It’s really hard when you don’t know what they ve got or like I m very lucky that my overseas grandkids have mums and dads that always give me ideas
Can you say the country as maybe there’s a www you can look at for that countries favourite toys for four year olds then check with the parents if they already have it
Postage is a problem some companies will send overseas for you
Isn’t it annoying when parents are fluffy and not a bit more directive about what they would like

Bluegal Fri 08-Jun-18 15:44:21

Clothes are always good (generally welcomed more by parents) especially as they grow out of them so quickly plus they are not as heavy as toys to post Like you say they have a lot of toys.

crystaltipps Fri 08-Jun-18 16:21:17

I wouldn’t send anything plastic which is made in China and would just get hurled into the toy box. Something you’ve made yourself or something British that is made in the U.K. from somewhere like Etsy. Or maybe a copy of a classic book like Wind in The Willows or Alice in Wonderland. I know you said English wasn’t their first language, but I’m assuming they have some English which they will improve as they get older.

OldMeg Fri 08-Jun-18 17:35:55

Wind in the Willows or Alice in Wonderland?

crystaltipps Fri 08-Jun-18 18:26:22

What’s wrong with those books? I read them to my children and GC they loved them

swji1 Sat 09-Jun-18 11:49:32

Thanks everyone for ideas. I'm really taken with the Tonie and will follow this up. What a great invention! Otherwise lego is a good idea as long as the pieces are not too small. DGD still puts things in her mouth and DiL worries about swallowing. The family live in Canada (but speak French) so anything has to work there. As other grans have said, one of the problems is 'throwing things in the tox box' which means everything gets jumbled up. I spend ages putting bits and pieces together whenever I visit!

Franbern Sun 10-Jun-18 14:55:42

My twins are now 42 years of age - but I would still make an appeal that nobody sends presents for 'The Twins'. They need to feel special for their birthday and to be treated as two individuals. Quite easy when having boy/girl twins - separate cards, separate presents, etc.

Bluegal Tue 12-Jun-18 17:57:06

Franbern - my adult twins still insist they get identical presents ???.