What Do You Get for Children Who Have EVERYTHING!!

Savings bond are good. They won't really appreciate them right now, but they will later :). Also, depending on where you live, you could gift them an outing to Marine World or the Zoo, or something like that.

You can find meaningful gifts via the Heifer International Online Gift Catalog and donate to help poor children & families in need.
Heifer Project International
www.heifer.org/catalog

Good Morning!
Several years ago I found myself in the same place with my nieces and nephew (my kids also don't need anything from their Aunt). What we started was a Christmas get together just for the kids. The first year we got all six kids (ages 3-7) together and they made ornaments and decorated cookies. Last year we got them together and they made ginger bread houses. My sister in law and I share the costs and the cousins have a great time together! They are already asking what we are doing this year. We still see them at Christmas time where they get gifts from the grandparents but they know they have already done some special together. Hope this helps. Have a great day!

I like to give experiences in these cases. So I'll buy admission to a children's museum, zoo, aquarium, amusement park, ect. I also give gift certificates to a local bookstore so the child can choose something he/she wants.

As both a mom and a professional organizer, I am a strong advocate for giving experiences rather than things. Time with you, photos to remember these events, given over the years give a great treasure - close relationships.

Hi K. ~
You might just want to get them a "gift certificate" at a local book store OR DONATE to a charity in their name. At this young age; they will have enough to open on Christmas to even know that there is not a "gift" for them to open.

Good luck!
Lucy B.

How about a family membership to a childrens' museum? I have 4 girls and we loved going together. The more we went the more we would hit our favorite exhibits together! It's a great thing you could do TOGETHER! Then you could save all the picutres until they get older and give them photos and a scrapbooking kit! Great memories never go out of style! Have fun and they are lucky to have someone as thoughtful as you in their lives!

I like to give gift certificates to places: movies, zoos, exploratorium, train rides, natural history museums, amusement parks, book stores, etc.

How about a gift card? Or you could make a donation in their name.

Passes to the zoo, Fairytale Town, train museum, something like that would be good and much appreciated I would think.

Maybe a small toy attached to an envelope with some money for a savings account? That's what I plan on giving to the little ones in our family this year. They can be entertained for a second with the toy, while their parents tuck away some money for their future.

I like to open savings accounts for young children who have everything. That way when they are older and really want something like being in a horse show they can tap into their accounts that they have hopefully added to over the years. No one needs more stuff. Good Luck, K:)

I second the books and saving/collage funds. Also a great idea to just spend time with them, I think there is a lot less of that as a gift out there right now =o)

Why don't you start an account at Kiva for them? It is a great statement about being global citizens or donate to a charity in their name. At that age, they don't need to even open up presents at the holidays- it is pretty overwhelming to a child.

Start a college fund. Unless their family is rich, in which case they don't even need that.

How about nothing or donating to a charity in their names?

Yeah, and I like Nicole's idea of BOOKS!!!! Boys in particular don't read enough, so just get them a great book every year.

Get them something to make a craft with, construction paper, a pack of crayons, glue and safety scissors and watch their imaginations sore....they can make hats (native indian feather hats, cone hats, etc), or turkey's for Thanksgiving, New years eve decorations, etc.

You could start a savings account for both of them and call it a college fund. Agree to put in $100.00 a year and give everyone the account number and ask them to chip in. You could also buy them a few shares in a stock. I know the market is down but you may be able to get a good deal on 10 shares of something.

Cricket Magazine (or whatever is age appropriate from the same publisher) is FANTASTIC!!! I got it as a kid, and give it to my 2 nephews and my 2 sons. A really Really great gift. See www.cricketmag.com. Books, in general, are great gifts for kids who have everything.

There are lots of great ideas but I want to offer a couple more. WE give subscriptions to child oriented magazines that are educational oriented. they come throughout the year so the gift keeps going. World wildlife Federation has several. My almost 2yo son loves to get his books in the mail. And there are no ads in them.

We also started giving gifts that get kids out in nature. National parks passes for the family, treasure hunt books for things you can find out side, Tickets to a local park, gift certificate to a beach excrusion with us, Aquarium tickets, zoo tickets.museum tickets.

What about a savings bond or a contribution to a savings account for college--it is never too early to start saving for college, especially with the incredible price increases in recent years.

kids love getting things in the mail, so childrens magazines (Wild Animal Baby, Ranger Rick, etc.) make fun and educational gifts. Memberships to zoos and childrens museums when they're a bit older.

try a gift certificate to a local ice cream joint, skating rink, kinder play gym or exploratorium...?

It is never to early to start a college fund. I always give savings bonds, cash or deposit into a 529 college savings fund.

How about a small toy of somekind and a savings bond? That's actually what most of our family does for our kiddo and it's great! Good luck to you!

donate to a charity in their names, set up an educational trust fund, magazine subscription (appropriate to their ages or useful to their moms), memberships to museums, aquariums or local attractions, etc. Can they afford to be generous when they are so blessed? they may consider sharing in many ways...

Didn't have to time to read all the posts, so I hope I'm not repeating other people.

Magazine Subscriptions - there are some great magazines out there for kids.

Take them out for a children's theatre performance and a special meal

Well it is never to early to give CD'S. It'll start their future off in the right direction. I'd make sure they are the 'roll over' and 'add-on' kind. But as for as something to open up, I'd ask the parent. Or ask if they have started a Christmas Wish List at Target. those are great and a wonderful peace of mind. This is what we started doing for our son.

I've found art supplies are always a great gift and get used ... paper, washable markers, crayons, etc. They are ALWAYS a hit with my daughter (always have been) and I actually request them now (and since they get used, you don't have a toy that goes unplayed with and takes up space).

Good luck choosing a gift!

Books seem like the perfect gift for the child who has everything. Children at this age should be read to off and on throughout the day and before bed, so having a large library of choices is good for the parents, as well as the children. There are wonderful books for young children. And, as the gift giver, you can have the fun of reading through these books before selecting ones you most like. Best wishes.

K.,

If you live near your nephews, you could get them a date out with their aunt. My kids get this often for their birthdays and they love the time they get to spend with their aunts. Plus, it does not add to their stuff. Often it is just a movie and/or lunch and maybe an ice cream. But the time they will remember forever.

D.

Saving's bonds or if they have a college savings plan ask to have money placed in the account. You could also choose to buy necesseties like diapers, wipes or shampoo and lotion kits... they are young enough that they won't remember or really care and tend to like the box more that what's inside and the parents may be relieved to have a stockpile on items that are in constant need and use.

Hope this helps.

I like the savings bonds/stocks/CD's ideas. However, if you feel weird giving cash then how about a membership? Such as to the local zoo, amusement park, gymboree, etc. Someplaces don't reqyuire a full year either. My parents give us a family membership to Fairy Tale Town www.fairytaletown.org every Christmas for about $45 - $50. Not bad for a whole family of 4! That's about $10/person. Plus we go every week!

I also have 3 neice/nephew who have everything. Last Christmas I went and got fleece material (that fit each of the personalities) and made them tie knot blankets. It was special because I took the time to make each of them, and they still use them. Each blanket to make yourself will cost $15-$20. Hope this helps.

Hi K.
Since the kids are still so young and don't know the difference, how about a little savings bond, doesn't have to be much OR a seasonal pass to a children's museum. We got one of those one year for my son and he really enjoyed it. Also, not sure where your nephews live, but gilroy gardens is a good place for the tots.. a seasonal pass there might be fun.

How about the 'gift' of education? Open a savings acount for school. Buy them savings bonds. Tenty-five dollars will get them fifty dollars. Easy and a fantastic gift for the future.

BOOKS.

Reading is always a great thing to promote.

Good luck!

Every year my best friend and I exchange Christmas ornaments for our kids. She buys my daughter an angel and my son a snowman every year and I buy her daughter a gingerbread themed ornament and her son a train ornament every year. My kids love putting their special ornaments on the tree and when they have a home of their own, they can take their ornaments with them.

I would opt for a college savings, such as a us savings bond. These gifts have really come in handy for myself, all relatives, yearly added to my familys collection of savings bonds.
Also I just suscribed my 2 year old to a magazine that is Highlights for younger children ages 3-5 but is suitable for a 2 year old!
Good luck

How about a family membership to the zoo? That would knock the parents off the list too. ;)
I give christmas tree ornaments - start a collection for them and donate a toy to Toys for Tots or some other charity in their honor. it's a family tradition now - even the adults look forward to their ornament and they always want to know what kind of toy I gave for them.

Savings account contribution idea is good. Other Ideas I like are either books or craft projects. Paints are good, or Michales has tons of cool stuff. One that would be fun is a stepping stone kit for the garden. They can do handprints or other designs. My 2yo would love that, and for the 1yo Mom can save it until the child is old enough. Also, a lot of times people buy kids clothes, but not Pajamas...all kids need PJ's...Hope that helps.

Get them something to do. Plant flowers with them, clear out a space in your yard just for them to plant anything they want. Grow things together. Spend a day doing something good for someone else. Clean out toy boxes and go together to donate them to needy children. Visit a senior's home together. Do something enriching. Take an art class together. Some city communities have parent-child classes (I'm sure aunt-nephew classes are cool too) in art and other things, do something like that.

How about a picture book for the parents to read to them...one of the large ones with rhyming and colorful pictures? (not a kiddie board book). You can write in it, "To ? with love, aunt K.". They'll have it for years to come.

Get them a book!!! Kids can never have too many! Go to the bookstore, find ones you like, and call Mom to make sure they don't have them! N.--retired school teacher

Hi. I have an idea that they might not have and it would be educational for them. Do they have personalized books, you know the ones that have their name in them and the names of their family members. They have many different stories to choose from, Disney, Pixar etc. some of them also have music cd's with the childs name in the songs. Just google, personalized kids books and several websites will come up. Hope this helps. Happy shopping!

Books (especially ones you loved as a child). They can even be for older children because they will last until the child grows.
But please try to make them fun-- don't be the weird aunt that always gives a book that is "good for you" i.e. religious, math, school based. Now is the time to make them think reading is fun!!

BOOKS!!!!! Children can NEVER have too many books!

Hi K.,

I had the same issue with my nieces and nephews so I started buying them savings bonds for their birthdays and holidays.

Another idea I like is gift certificates to children's venues such as Discovery Musuems, Aquariums or any other age appropriate venue.

Hope this helps.
J.

They may be on the young side, but my kids LOVE audiobooks. You can start with Curious George for their age, get the book to go with it and they can look at the pics while listening.

I started this with my son when he was 2 or so and he still loves them at age 7. Do a little research and you'll find the right one for their age group. (Polar Express is a good short story, too)

How about gift certificates to a fun place or trip with you.

My husband and I also have nieces and nephews who had everything while growing up. When they were young we started a silver charm bracelet for the nieces and a coin collection for the nephews. It is something they will likely have for ever. Also, the girls enjoyed getting charms from all of the different places we had traveled.

Pop-up books! My kids loved them at that age, and almost instantly destroyed them because they couldn't resist grabbing at them. Just a thought.

I always give books.....my niece and nephew (another duo who has EVERYTHING) love getting new books and my sister-in-law always clears out the old books because she knows I'll be giving them some new ones for their birthday, Christmas, etc. As a child I loved books so I try to install that in them as well......

Donate to their college funds.

One gift that does not take up much space is music CDs. There are lots of wonderful, high-quality children's music, which they could listen to at home or in the car. If you live nearby, another idea could be to offer to take the children to a picnic in the park with you as a gift. This could be a gift for their parents as well! On Christmas, it could be presented as a gift certificate with a picture of a picnic basket on it.

Its not an exciting gift but kids can always use clothes. Buy them a little big so they can grow into them. At 1 & 2 yrs old they dont really care about the gift. Its opening the present that is fun.

A couple of ideas. 1) Books 2) Savings bonds 3) How about starting a college fund? Even if you put twenty dollars every Christmas and every birthday. The will have a nice sum of money by the time they go to college or go to buy their first car.

Books and music are great gifts. For birthdays, I take my nephews and niece on a special outing that we choose together.

I have 7 grandchildren all who need nothing and get tooooooo many gifts at Christmas. I give TIME and take them to the museum, the theater, Nutcracker, etc. Recently met my 19 year old grandson in SF and asked what he wanted to do...the museum so we went to Dale Chihuly exhibit, he had camera and we had a great time. the newly refurbished Academy of Science is a must see for everyone. Give them time and experiences. Not presents to buy. Yes, I have 3 year old twin grandkids and 6 & 7 year olds and 5 month old. I might babysit, I might take the 3 year olds to the Nutcracker, for sure the 7 year old to the SF one. Memories are much better than gifts.

Well, for the 21/2 year olds, what about a ride on the train in Old Sacramento? I know one year they had the Polar Express, and sometimes they just have Santa... But for the one year old, that's a little trickier. Maybe he'd like the train ride, too! Or a game or DVD...
Good luck!

books, I don't know any child who has every book in the world. Search out some not so well known titles. An education (and something different to read) will never be abused.

Books!!!

Or perhaps try making them something like blanket or some keepsake

It sounds weird but a big empty box. That is the thing that gets the most use during the holiday seasons. Empty boxes. They build forts, color it, use it as cars - the list goes on and on.

Another idea is books. For years I would get my nieces and nephews books. Start with your childhood favorites. Their moms can read the books to them and hopefully build a love of reading.

For kids that young, you really can't go wrong with anything. The toddlers are just starting to understand the whole Christmas thing. They are excited by the decorations and all the parties. I would say, don't go overboard. There will be time enough for further spoiling as they get older.