I need help..quick before it snows!

Nancy6306

We moved into our brand new home in February of this year in a quiet cul de sac. Our neighbor is hosting a Christmas party for all of the neighbors tomorrow afternoon. Well, my eight year old is good friends with the little girl across the street. She went over yesterday and said that this little girl's family had two gifts for her under their Christmas tree and another for my other daughter who is two. The little girl told my daughter they plan on giving the gifts tomorrow at the neighborhood get together.....uh oh, I guess my shopping is not done!?!

The probem...there are a total of six children in the neighborhood. My husband thinks we should just get them each a $20 giftcard to ToysRUs, Target, or Walmart. We can't possibly know what they are into. There is (1) 2 year old, (2) 3 year olds, (1) five year old, and (2) six year olds. I'd be in the store for hours AND battling the crowds. What would you do?

jkmcnamara

I think the gift cards are the best way to go. Maybe you can get a cute stuffed animal and tie the cards to the animal?

AlmostDunn

Stay home and bake them cute cut out cookies.  The kids should all like that and if other families haven't gotten your child anything it is small enough that they won't feel bad.  Personally I wouldn't want to start the precident of buying for all the kids in the neighborhood. 

You could also make taffy, popcorn balls or other fun goodies and it might be something fun to do with your daughters on a snowy day.

LoveInCowboyBoots

I think $20 each is a little extravagant personally, and I also think a gift card is a little lame for kids that young. I agree with the other posters, either go get a small stuffed animal or bake some fun kid treats for them. I would be hesitant to start giving gifts to all the kids in the neighborhood as well...

IrishGal002

I would run to Walmart and get lots of coloring books and art supplies. It would give the kids something to do while the adults enjoy the party. Crayola makes some great sets. The kids could take home thier sets after the party...good luck & have fun!

Kalani

IrishGal002:

I would run to Walmart and get lots of coloring books and art supplies. It would give the kids something to do while the adults enjoy the party. Crayola makes some great sets. The kids could take home thier sets after the party...good luck & have fun!

I like this idea. It's pretty much what we did.  We bought the clear cello bags and put small toys in them like playdough, bubbles, pencil, yo-yo, etc.  Then included a coloring book or a workbook that was appropriate for the child's age.  We bought most of the products at the dollar store.  The gifts were well received.  The kids absolutely loved them!

AlmostDunn

IrishGal002:

I would run to Walmart and get lots of coloring books and art supplies. It would give the kids something to do while the adults enjoy the party. Crayola makes some great sets. The kids could take home thier sets after the party...good luck & have fun!

I really like this idea, except the part about having to go to Walmart on the Saturday before Christmas.   Yikes!

mrs.forrister

I like the crayola idea too.  You can still use the stuffed animal and baked good too if you want to add a personal touch.  I agree with the others, I wouldn't want to start the tradition of buying for all the kids. 

Nancy6306

Thanks for all of the replies...they were really insightful about what to do next year. I ended up leaving the house soon after I posted the above message to get to Target early in the day. I told DH that I would be able to get a small gift for each child that would be far less expensive than getting each child a $20 giftcard. And I did...but I still ended up spending $85. I'm going to suggest at the party this afternoon that each child and/or family pull one name out of a hat next year. It's really stressful trying to figure out what each child will like and the additional people to add to the Christmas list. I bought gifts for six unrelated children and I still haven't bought my own husband his gift, yet.?