What Kind of Birthday Gift Would You Give?

I always ask the parent to give me ideas on what they like/want/need, start there.

eta: Please don't get them a joint gift

It's hard with the girls being so far apart in age, but what about a game they can both play? (I Can Do That might be fun for them together.) Or two gifts that are both puzzles but for different ages?

Games, books, puzzles, crafts, workbooks, art supplies and other activity things are pretty good for a lot of different ages and for when you don't know the interests of or toys owned by the recipients that well.

Always separate gifts. Books are safe.

Separate gifts.

Ask their mom what the girls are in to. If they already have something going that you can add to. Be sure you get a gift reciept for each.

No joint gifts, money, gift cards, and no clothes. That is the boring-est gift ever. Clothes.

the 7 year old will resent a joint gift with a 2 year old. I would not worry about getting a gift with small parts for the 7 year old. They obviously raised their kids to 7 and 2 with out incident, so I am sure mom and dad know what to do with small part toys, and is vigilant with them. It would be a very sad life for that 7 year old if they could not have any toys that didnt have small parts because of their little siblings.

As a parent of a 5, 3, and 2 year old. My daughters are only 10 days apart for birthdays, and they share there day with our family. I know that my girls hate it if they have to share anything. So I always suggest different things for each. 7 year olds still like dolls and action figures, they will like art/craft ideas, or educational toys like erector sets, lego sets, and hand held games. The 2 year old is simple. Age Appropriate toys that make absurdly, annoying noises. That is what makes my 2 year old happy. Now, for me? that's a different story.

The game Twister could be fun for both of them. The older girl could help the younger with colors. As most two yr olds are learning this at that age. There is a new dance twister that lights up.. it has something to do with Britney Spears. I didnt really pay attention to the commerical.

If your doing a joint gift I would try to find a game they could both play. Mr. Potatoe Head is a classic as well as other classic toys, jump roap, hula hoop, slinky. Even a couple of those or a box full of them. yo yo, jacks. Others usually get the latest and greatest. But kids are still fans of the classics.

If they don't already have one, I would buy an easel.. they have ones with both chalk and dry erase. This way, both kids can enjoy if need be. For the younger one, follow suit but with coloring books and some crayons. keep it artistic. We bought my son an easel when he was very young. He is now ten and still uses it just about everyday.. It's also great as a learning vehicle. In that, we used to write the ABC s on it... we have gotten our money's worth over and over..

good luck

I would get the 2y a Strawberry Shortcake Movie -
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_n_format_browse-bi_mr...

or a Strawberry Shortcake doll that doesn't have a bunch of little pieces
http://www.amazon.com/Dancer-Strawberry-Shortcake-plush-D...

I would get the 7y a stuffed horse from Brave, or the doll set
http://www.amazon.com/Disney-Brave-Angus-Plush-Toy/dp/B00...

I think I would ask the Mom for ideas. Frankly, my 2 year old was beyond much of the advice you have gotten below. This 2 year old has an older sister so my guess is she's more advanced too. A doll is a safe bet.If you add in a stroller that would be a huge hit! I'd err on the side of "real" books. You can't go wrong with Dr. Seuss. If she's not quite ready she will be soon. Play doh is also a great option.

I got my 3 year old niece an Elefun game that shoots out butterflies and you catch it with a net. She loves it, but her 6 year old brother loves it as well. What I liked about it was that you can play together, or play alone, which maybe nice for the 2 year old when the sister is in school. I totally think a 2 year old will be able to play. May not catch much, but she should enjoy trying. I got it at Target for @ $20. I'm getting one for my 3 year old for Christmas.

How about a board game for the 7 year old and a nice dolly for the two year old. :)

Separate gifts.

For the 7 yr old:
jewelry making set
tea set & easy bake oven
pretty pillow for her room & sm inexpensive drawing easel
fun DVD movie

For the 2 yr old:
a book that lights up & a stuffed animal
a doll
shopping cart (you can find them for $10)

I believe the ages are two far apart for joint presents. 7 year old girls are still into My Little Pet Shop. They are starting to get into justice clothes. So gift card to justice or a Pet shop would work well. Two year old still into blocks and books that are mushy and light up or some other cool trick.

Separate gifts. And I always go the arts and crafts route if I'm not sure. Crayons, glitter pens, markers, giant size paper pad, play dough, paints (unless you know the mom has a big problem w/any sort of mess). Books or a gift card to book store always works. You could call the mom and ask "is there anything ________ is really into these days?" Maybe if the older girl is into Barbies, you could get her a new outfit for the doll.
PS I see you're in MD. Hope you are all doing well after the storm!

At their ages, I wouldn't do a gift card.
And I would stick with 2 separate gifts... they are way too far apart in age to make a 'joint' gift very logical.

I would get something crafty at a Michael's or Hobby Lobby type place for the 7 year old, and either a book or some play-doh for the 2 year old. All kids love play-doh. Especially NEW playdoh, that the colors haven't been mixed up yet. :)

I would definitely get them separate gifts. They aren't close enough in age. You don't have to spend a lot of money, but you can pick something out for each.

If you need some ideas, I am a Discovery Toys consultant and can recommend some wonderful products! For the two year old, Measure Up Cups is perfect! She would also really like the Giant Pegboard. The seven year old will really have a great time with Wiz Kidz, Games on the Go, or Mosaic Mysteries. You can see these and more at http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao

I would make them a movie basket. Put in a box or a couple of bags of microwave popcorn, some chocolate bars (check for allergies first) or other assorted candy (leftovers from Halloween provided they don't say "Halloween"), a couple small bottles of water if you want and a couple of movies - 1 that is more age/interest appropriate for the youngest and 1 for the oldest. Target frequently has little plastic containers that look like movie theater popcorn boxes in their $1 section. You could add those in or use them for the basket if you can find the large ones. Either leave loose or wrap up with cello wrap (can usually find a small roll at a dollar store or craft store). Tie with a ribbon. I've done several of these in the past and they are always well received! I love how budget friendly they are. I generally use coupons on the popcorn, water, candy and even the movies. I bought a huge roll of cello wrap from Michael's with a 40% coupon that made it somewhere around $3 and they always have rolls of ribbon on sale for $1. I've figured out that I can put one of these together for $10-$20 depending upon amount of things I put in and how much I can snag the movie for!

A joint (family) gift card of $25 to a pizza palace.

I would do a different gift for each. It's hard to imagine there is any toy that a 7 year old would enjoy that a 2 year old is allowed access to.

Consider the ideas you have so far.

Games. Not going to work. Unless it's Trouble, oh wait, a 2 year old can't play Trouble because they can't count. Games have small pieces and a 2 year old should not be allowed access to choke to death on a game piece.

Puzzles. Same thing, a puzzle piece is too small and the little one can choke on them. Plus anything the 2 year old is able to successfully do is going to be majorly bored with since it would be a 2-4 piece puzzle.

Paints, easels, art projects, crafts. A 2 year old will bite the chalk and chew on it, they will put the paint in their mouths and suck on their fingers, 7 year old kids like a challenge when it comes to a craft and won't really like one that has huge pieces so the little one can't choke on them. The magnetic letters that a lot of easels have these days are also a choke hazard due to the magnets on the back. The little kids can pop those out and swallow them. If they don't come out naturally they have to have surgery to get the magnets out.

I suggest that whatever you have to spend that you go to someplace like Walmart and walk up and down the isle where the infant toys are. Check out the ages on the boxes. Do not get anything that says 3 and up. They make those limitations based on years of research. If it says 3 and up there are usually tires, small pieces, fillings, something that is not for a child that will probably put that object in their mouth.

I child care a child under 3 can't even play with Hot Wheels cars. A toy that most of them have by the time they are 2. If a child puts one of those in his mouth and bites down the tires can pop off, the little doors, or the hood...then it can get stuck in their throat. Most of the parents in child care look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them their child can't bring their Hot Wheels cars from home to the toddler or 2 year old classroom.

If any part of the toy can be broken off or the toy as a while will fit through the center of a roll of toilet paper it is a choke hazard and cannot be around a 2 year old.

So make sure to read the box and note if it's for ages 18 months to 3 years appropriate. A toy in that age range should provide a challenge to learn and not be boring.

As for the 7 year old, be sure to ask mom about Barbie if that is the direction you are thinking. My BFF is totally against Barbie and hates the mere thought of her. My granddaughter plays with Barbies all evening long if I let her. My hubby got my BFF's girl a Barbie and a couple of outfits so she could have her own at home. My friend totally freaked out. She told him no way. He never bought her daughter a gift again.

Some mom's just feel they are derogatory to women and have a deep personal dislike of the whole venue.

If she's okay with that you can find a nice Barbie for about $10 then you can get an outfit for $5 up to a bunch more. If you're interested in outfitting her existing Barbies you might look on Etsy to see about buying her doll a bunch of new clothes from someone that makes them for the dolls specifically.

Otherwise any of the previous toys mentioned would be great for the 7 year old.

Just buy the little one something exciting but age appropriate for her own.