View Full Version : Xmas Prsents For Children.
A bit late to be starting this now some will say but these Christmas things tend to come around quite fast these days and now I have nieces and nephews I have to think about this sort of thing.
They have more toys than Hamleys so I just give them money but I spend the holiday at my brother's place and his children won't leave you alone. When I was their age (4,5) you found a corner of the living room and played with your new presents quietly whilst the adults talked. Those days seem to be gone.
Anyway my nephew wants to play Top Trumps. 'Great!' I think, I know that one. What sets have you got? Fighter Planes of WW2? Aircraft Carriers? Jet Bombers?
No, Marine Animals.
What?
I complained bitterly to my brother who just shrugged, my suggestion that I purchase them some 'proper' Top Trumps was met by a 'No!' from my sister-in-law.
My argument that he has to learn about the military-industrial complex at some point fell on deaf ears.
I was unable to watch TV, read or converse without distraction so would have been happy to play along with the children if their toys weren't so crappy. I'm thinking next year that I should get them Scaelelectrix or something similar. According to my brother they are too young for it but at least he and I will have something to do.
What do you buy for this age without it being too old for them or 'unsuitable'?
Never to young for proper toys....or too old:D. My grandkids are 8 and 4 1/2. Both manage tablets and xbox games better than me. Their fav at moment is wrestling figures and wwe game on xbox. Also footy game is popular.
Martin,
What is the point in being an uncle unless you can be seriously naughty? Teach them poker and take them for their pocket money:). If they are a bit young for that, blackjack is a viable alternative - you only need to get them to count to twenty-one...
I'm afraid most Top Trumps these days are a bit tame but there are still some good car and sports ones but best is not to consult so you can't be vetoed.... Also there are some DVD-based quiz games which hold their attention - "Are you cleverer than a twelve year old?" or somesuch.
I speak as a victim of ill-considered presents: I once promised my brother I'd stalk him to the ends of the earth, rip his arms off and beat him with the stumps, because he bought my then six year old son a toy drum kit (now there's an idea:eyebrows:)...Someone (a godfather who really should have known better) also gave him a Borat DVD when he was eight (and I didn't know that he had it until it was too late) but my son doesn't seem overly psychopathic now.
I always find that whoopee cushions go down well, indeed anything with a farting gag.
The long and short, however, is that with children this age you will not get the peace and quiet you crave until you give them a killing game for PS4.
Peter
The older one likes to play his dads killing game when im looking after him. I pretend i dont know hes not allowed and he lets me pretend. Also has the advantage of me not getting asked too often lol
Too young for Scalextric?
Get them a micro version then.
Stratmangler
27-12-2015, 12:33
You have my sympathy Martin.
Unfortunately it sounds like your brother/sister-in-law have fallen in with the "mediocrity for all" thinking that governs child rearing.
This same thinking has stopped competitive sports in schools because the ones who don't come first feel bad about themselves, and that's bad, because everyone is special, and that usually means that nobody actually is special.
Wrap 'em all up in cotton wool and nothing bad will happen.
I don't like it myself.
Kids like stuff that challenges them and scares them a little bit.
I'm proud to say that my boy has been allowed to scab his knees and has fallen off things and ended up with broken bones (it wasn't fun for any of us at the time, but he healed, and he's mentally stronger and more aware of the perils of the world at large). It's a natural part of growing up, and it's something that all kids should be allowed to do, but often aren't.
It is your duty as an uncle to find stuff that revs up your nephew/niece, and hand them back when they're at bursting point.
How's about something simple, like a football?
It means they need to get out of the house and run around in the fresh air and get muddy. The exercise will do them good, and it's good for their general development.
There are lots of good things that playing football does for kids.
awkwardbydesign
27-12-2015, 12:37
Guns. And bows and arrows. Get them playing some proper cowboys and indians!
Wrap up an orange and tell them to like it! ;)
Marco.
Video games, guns, bows and arrows are all 'unacceptable', apparently...A football has been tried - they lose interest in seconds, plus not ideal if it is raining which it usually is at Xmas.
Gambling is a good suggestion, I could teach them blackjack and card counting - useful skills. :)
I suspect that will get vetoed as well but it since it doesn't come pre-forbidden... I remember my grandmother taught us 'Newmarket' playing for pennies.
Drums - yes quite unbelievably a drum each was one of the things their parents had bought them... they have rocks in their heads I think ;)
Are we in general agreement that 'educational' toys are the worst thing ever?
Gambling is a good suggestion, I could teach them blackjack and card counting - useful skills. :)
I suspect that will get vetoed as well but it since it doesn't come pre-forbidden... I remember my grandmother taught us 'Newmarket' playing for pennies.
Are we in general agreement that 'educational' toys are the worst thing ever?
Yes, we are, except for the excellent grounding in arithmetic, game theory and probability set out above ;)!
P
She is pissing against the wind. You cant keep doing that when they are getting it at friends houses and at school etc.
My daughter was full of ideas like that but realised quickly that it wouldnt work as wouldnt not letting them have sweets coz they were bad for teeth
Stratmangler
27-12-2015, 13:47
Video games, guns, bows and arrows are all 'unacceptable', apparently...A football has been tried - they lose interest in seconds, plus not ideal if it is raining which it usually is at Xmas
Do they lose interest because of another external influence?
I'm thinking of Mum or Dad and trying to stop the kids getting wet and dirty .....
I'd lose interest if all I had was someone nagging away telling what not to do.
Do they lose interest because of another external influence?
I'm thinking of Mum or Dad and trying to stop the kids getting wet and dirty .....
I'd lose interest if all I had was someone nagging away telling what not to do.
They lose interest in everything within seconds. They are constantly being distracted by the adults saying 'look at that' 'look at this'. Can't entertain themselves at all. My other brother's children are same age but very different. But they are allowed video games and so forth and if they are occupying themselves they just get left to it.
Grant is right in that they will not be able to maintain that level of control as they get older. Should be fun to see :)
Construction kits - mainly of the Lego kind - go down a treat (plenty to find for under a tenner).
I have three 'great-nephews' aged between 1 and 10 and we usually send anything car or construction related and with no veto from parents thus far.
.When I was a young sprog anything Meccano related keep me going well beyond Xmas and I doubt things have really changed that much
I was looking at that sort of thing - this Lego Death Star would be a cool present for me - I mean them - but it is a week's wages!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/LEGO-Star-Wars-10188-Death/dp/B002EEP3NO/ref=sr_1_1?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1451227710&sr=1-1&keywords=lego+death+star
Ridiculous price for a kids toy tbh. Maybe a spotify account that you could borrow:eyebrows:
My daughter was full of ideas like that but realised quickly that it wouldnt work as wouldnt not letting them have sweets coz they were bad for teeth
You can achieve pretty much what you like if you're strict and determined enough, and don't give into 'protests', no matter how robust or prolonged. It's a matter of teaching them discipline.
When I was a kid, despite my old man owning a chip shop, which was brim-full of all manner of sweets, as you can imagine, I was only allowed to have ONE type of sweet per day (Mars Bar, Crunchie or whatever), and when I'd eaten it, that was it until the next day, no matter how much I screamed or shouted.
I can't comment on your daughter's situation, as I'm unfamiliar with it, but in general parents these days tend to give in way too quickly to the whims of their 'little brats', most often I presume for a quiet life - and then suffer the consequences accordingly! ;)
Marco.
Not so easy these days I'm afraid.... Was In mine and when you were young, but parenting rules have changed....and probably not for the better. That doesn,t mean you give in but the rules re getting your point across have been forever weakened for all.
All in all they do a very good job and im confident the kids will do well should they want to.
I was looking at that sort of thing - this Lego Death Star would be a cool present for me - I mean them - but it is a week's wages!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/LEGO-Star-Wars-10188-Death/dp/B002EEP3NO/ref=sr_1_1?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1451227710&sr=1-1&keywords=lego+death+star
That's the one (if you're an oil millionaire that is...)
I would aim for this though - not as much fun for the grown-ups I'll admit, but only £8.99:
http://johnlewis.scene7.com/is/image/JohnLewis/233985004?$prod_main$
I don't doubt it, mate. However, I'm sorry, but I don't buy the "rules have changed" bit. By whom and how?
Babies are born into the world without any traits/wants of their own: they learn and develop those as they grow up, and depending on how that happens, and how much or otherwise you spoil them, will depend on which traits/wants they develop. Essentially, from day 1, they exist to be 'shaped into adults' by the behaviour and decision making of their parents.
Therefore, it's up to parents to get that right, regardless of any outside influences, but you have to be very focussed and strict about it, willing and able to deal with tantrums, and above all, being judged negatively by others who don't support your standards or values.
I've got young nieces and nephews, and none of them have grown up as spoiled brats, who kick off as soon as they don't get their own way - and nor do they expect to get things simply because other kids have them, if mum and dad don't think that it's right.
Marco.
StanleyB
27-12-2015, 16:22
Guns. And bows and arrows. Get them playing some proper cowboys and indians!
In this age of political correctness that would be a bad idea.
You have to buck the trend though, Stan, do what YOU think is right, and bugger what is considered as 'the norm' today, or politically correct.
Conforming to said 'norm', and becoming part of the system, is one of the problems with how kids are being brought up today, and that is reflected all too clearly in the type of society we're living in now :doh: :rolleyes:
You have to have the balls to buck the trend and be different - and stick rigidly to your OWN beliefs!!
Anyway, I realise that this is taking the discussion off-topic (and it's something I have strong views about), so let's get back to toys :)
Marco.
Thinking about it - all the best toys were from the 1970s
Like this Dukes Of Hazzard slot race game:
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac233/Macca_photos_2009/PhotoDisplay.jpg (http://s903.photobucket.com/user/Macca_photos_2009/media/PhotoDisplay.jpg.html)
Might see if I can get something like this off eBay. Would keep me amused for a couple of hours. I suppose the children won't know the back story but not sure that matters.
I wonder if you can freeze the car mid jump to do the voice-over? 'Looks like the Duke boys got themselves a whole heap ah trouble.'
Scrap that idea - you can get them but the price is ridiculous. This one doesn't even work properly and it's £140
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-DUKES-OF-HAZZARD-ELECTRIC-SLOT-CAR-RACING-SET-BOXED-BY-IDEAL-TOYS-1981-/311505148077?hash=item48872758ad:g:oCAAAOSwHjNV9XQ g
StanleyB
27-12-2015, 17:21
I asked a mate of mine what the best toy was in the days when we were teenagers. His reply was a packet of Rizla. One could have so much fun with each and every sheet :eyebrows:.
A bit late to be starting this now some will say but these Christmas things tend to come around quite fast these days and now I have nieces and nephews I have to think about this sort of thing.
They have more toys than Hamleys so I just give them money but I spend the holiday at my brother's place and his children won't leave you alone. When I was their age (4,5) you found a corner of the living room and played with your new presents quietly whilst the adults talked. Those days seem to be gone.
Back when I was a nipper, the solution was to have the grown-ups in one room boozing and reminiscing about the old days, whilst the children were in another room watching telly and/or playing with toys. As you got older, you migrated to where the booze was.
I can't help much with toy suggestions; we had two girls and they just wanted Barbies and My Little Ponies. I just gave my sisters and brother money to buy toys for my nieces and nephews as they knew what they'd like and didn't already have. I was bought toy guns, model soldiers and the like from when I was old enough not to swallow them. I particularly remember a Britain's toy soldier set which included a mortar that actually fired bombs. Toy bombs of course.
I can't help much with toy suggestions; we had two girls and they just wanted Barbies and My Little Ponies. I just gave my sisters and brother money to buy toys for my nieces and nephews as they knew what they'd like and didn't already have. I was bought toy guns, model soldiers and the like from when I was old enough not to swallow them. I particularly remember a Britain's toy soldier set which included a mortar that actually fired bombs. Toy bombs of course.
I had that set too. Plus about a thousand Airfix plastic soldiers, the 1/72nd scale and the smaller ones. In the summer I'd take them out in the garden and build trenches and bunkers in the flower beds, set up a big diorama. Passers by used to stop for a look. Loads of toy guns as well, me and my cousins would spend all summer running around the neighbourhood playing 'war'. No child obesity in those days, if you were lucky enough to get a chocolate bar you'd burnt the calories off in ten minutes.
More of an airforce kid myself. Had a squadron of planes all hand built. Then when i got bored they got, one destroyed by explosion and fire... Bangers and lighter fluid lol.
What a waste and i got my arse tanned for it!
I had that set too. Plus about a thousand Airfix plastic soldiers, the 1/72nd scale and the smaller ones. In the summer I'd take them out in the garden and build trenches and bunkers in the flower beds, set up a big diorama. Passers by used to stop for a look. Loads of toy guns as well, me and my cousins would spend all summer running around the neighbourhood playing 'war'. No child obesity in those days, if you were lucky enough to get a chocolate bar you'd burnt the calories off in ten minutes.
Oh yes, the dreaded 'little soldiers'. My mother used to curse them because they were always getting caught in the hoover. I actually painstakingly painted one set of US Civil War soldiers. I obviously had a good eye and a steady hand in those days.
My mother just used to say they were a 'waste of money' but then she regarded almost everything as a waste of money, even food.
I used to build some of the Airfix kits but me being cack-handed they never turned out very well. Especially since I had a mate who could build and paint them absolutely perfectly. Mine always looked crappy by comparison so I gave it up as a bad job.
My brother and I built loads of the Airfix kits, but my father flatly refused to let us hang them from the bedroom ceiling. Given that we shared a box room that can't have been much more than 8 foot square, and that our bunk beds took up about half that space, he had a point, but the result was that they were stored out of sight in a cupboard most of the time.
Then, one Christmas, my main present was a shirt. That was as good a sign of the end of childhood as you could get.
awkwardbydesign
28-12-2015, 11:16
More of an airforce kid myself. Had a squadron of planes all hand built. Then when i got bored they got, one destroyed by explosion and fire... Bangers and lighter fluid lol.
What a waste and i got my arse tanned for it!
Heh. We had an apple tree in the garden. Run a wire to it from my bedroom window, plane full of cotton wool and lighter fluid, fire it up and let it run! Then I discovered how to make weedkiller bombs; are the kids still too young for that, Martin?
Those were the days! Youd get put in care now and parents jailed:D
walpurgis
28-12-2015, 11:26
Heh. We had an apple tree in the garden. Run a wire to it from my bedroom window, plane full of cotton wool and lighter fluid, fire it up and let it run! Then I discovered how to make weedkiller bombs
Sounds just like me.
Except my plane crashes had victims. When my fishing bait maggots turned into flies, they were 'volunteered' into being passengers on the doomed plane.
Did the weedkiller bomb bit too. And homemade cannons.
Then, one Christmas, my main present was a shirt. That was as good a sign of the end of childhood as you could get.
Yes, the transition from presents to clothes. I recall that. Usually clothes I wouldn't be seen buried in as well. Then it went on to money which since I had my own money by that point was a bit superfluous. I suppose it is the thought that counts.
Sounds just like me.
Except my plane crashes had victims. When my fishing bait maggots turned into flies, they were 'volunteered' into being passengers on the doomed plane.
.
Was this back when you owned EasyJet?
walpurgis
28-12-2015, 11:39
Was this back when you owned EasyJet?
We called it 'Sleazyjet' back then.:)
awkwardbydesign
28-12-2015, 11:58
Sounds just like me.
Except my plane crashes had victims. When my fishing bait maggots turned into flies, they were 'volunteered' into being passengers on the doomed plane.
Did the weedkiller bomb bit too. And homemade cannons.
Never did the fly thing. Good idea, must give it a try. But surrounding an anthill with a ring of weedkiller mixture and watching them burn was fun! Ah, the good old days.
We used to spend time watching what the ants were doing. We didn't kill them though. One time we found a crowbar in a skip and lifted up a paving slab with it. This was actually on the public pavement, not in a garden. Zillions of ants underneath.
That was how you entertained yourselves as children in the 'Seventies. None of this 'Mum, Dad I'm bored' that you hear now. Not that that would have got you any traction in any case.
walpurgis
28-12-2015, 16:24
One time we found a crowbar in a skip and lifted up a paving slab with it. This was actually on the public pavement, not in a garden. Zillions of ants underneath.
Bet I've done that more times than you Martin. Actually, I've probably done it more times than anybody using the forum. I'm a qualified Mason Pavior and relaid hundreds of miles of footway, kerbs and road when I was younger. Before I moved onto other things. That was definitely a job to keep you fit and strong! :D
You would win that bet as that is the only time I have done it. I was only about 8. Took a few of us to lift it. It's a wonder no-one got broken fingers. My cousin did get a spike through his arm trying to climb some railings once but that was the worst injury any of us sustained. Unless you count a broken arm (another cousin). Parents attitude was 'these things happen'. Like it was a nettle sting or something.
awkwardbydesign
28-12-2015, 18:44
You would win that bet as that is the only time I have done it. I was only about 8. Took a few of us to lift it. It's a wonder no-one got broken fingers. My cousin did get a spike through his arm trying to climb some railings once but that was the worst injury any of us sustained. Unless you count a broken arm (another cousin). Parents attitude was 'these things happen'. Like it was a nettle sting or something.
Well nettle stings can be nasty! Especially for the guy at a biker rally who was peeing in a nettle patch when the wind changed direction. :lol: Oh how we sympathised. Not.
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