posted on Dec, 23 2016 @ 01:36 PM
We try to keep amounts reasonable, 3-4 gifts each for the kids and 2-4 shared gifts for them. If we exceed 10 total, we got too much stuff. They buy
gifts for each other, too, their personal cap is 2 things each because they think less gifts bought means more thought was put into the gift (they're
on the right track here!)
Older daughter from me & mine: A Monster High doll she's been adoring, a dollhouse, a sweat shirt & sweat pants outfit in her favorite color, since
she asked for a new outfit to keep warm in.
She's been asking for the dollhouse for years, she's not going to expect it at all.
Younger daughter from me & mine: A Spiderman doll, a Darth Vader doll, a rubic's cube. She's obsessed with the first two, and specifically asked for a
rubic's to challenge herself with. This kid's significantly tougher to find things for, if it's not dinos, cars, Spidey or Vader, she's not generally
interested.
To both to share: a bow & arrow toy for each to have at it outside, Jenga, big-ass box of legos, another box of K'Nex to add to their massive amount
(they love building their own toys, hence buying the bow & arrow sets -- their K'Nex self-mades were good, but had no range)
Older daughter to younger daughter: A stuffed triceratops (this is a big deal, the younger one is a budding paleontologist, among other high-bar
careers she has in mind already)
Younger daughter to older daughter: A different Monster High doll she's positive she'd love to have.
Technically, each got one extra from all of us --- got younger daughter a necklace with a triceratops pendant. It was a last-minute find by the older
daughter. And got our older a make-your-own-perfume set, also a last minute find by the younger daughter.
I got my better half new work shirts he's been dropping big hints at needing/wanting (moved up in his company & needs to be presentable now, lol) And
a new bottle of cologne. I had to improvise and find something different from his usual, since it was sold out everywhere I looked (Star Trek Red
Shirt. Yes, we are that nerdy here) I found a sufficient substitute that isn't too different in scent, maybe slightly milder than his RS is.
With the kids, going off of previous years, I honestly think the biggest hits (aside from the dino stuff with the younger kid) are going to be the
dollhouse, the bow & arrows, legos & K'Nex. The rest certainly appeals to their tastes and legit wants, but those 4 are the big deal things in their
world.