Here is the problem: The twins have been invited to the birthday party of a little girl turning five. I need two presents by this weekend. I’m looking for things that cost about ten dollars, although less would be even better. I have a few things I’m considering buying, and I also have some maybes on the gift shelf.
Stomp Rocket Jr Glow Kit (photo from Amazon.com). My mom has a stomp rocket and the kids LOVE it. I would prefer to get one WITHOUT the “glow” feature, but the glow one is marked down to $7.83 AND comes in a “junior” version, so…
Crayola Telescoping Pip-Squeaks Marker Tower (photo from Amazon.com). About $11. Maybe it isn’t the same in everyone’s house, but at our house we have an endless need for marker replenishment.
Hello Kitty Rhinestone Shirt (photo from Target.com). This is my top favorite idea for Elizabeth to bring as a gift. Elizabeth LOVES Hello Kitty, and I thought it would be fun to buy two of these and have Elizabeth wear one to the party and bring the other one wrapped. Also, I happen to know the family isn’t rolling in money, so it might be nice to give something practical.
And these are the things I already have on the gift shelf:
Paperoni Variety Pack (photo from Amazon.com). This would be a little more than I wanted to spend, except I bought it on a sale for $7.99 at Target a few months ago and put it on my gift shelf. But I hesitate, because my 9-year-old had a set of these and found them frustrating.
Pixos Alphabet Pack (photo from Amazon.com). At $16.99, this would be substantially out of my price range—but I found one at 75% off at Target a few weeks ago. Since the twins and the birthday girl are all starting kindergarten, a letter-themed kit seems timely and fun. She could make her name! But again, I wonder if this might be too difficult for a 5-year-old.
Melissa and Doug Magnetic Dress-Up Maggie Leigh (photo from Amazon.com). I think it might be too young for her.
Kittenwar: The Card Game (photo from Amazon.com). When I saw this in the Bargain Books section, I got very excited and bought it. So excited I didn’t look carefully, and confused it with the Kittenwar Postcard Book, which is what I ACTUALLY wanted. The game is played like War: each player puts down a card, and the person with the higher-ranking kitten takes both cards. This seems fun but it looks SMALL as a gift.
What do you think? Hello Kitty shirt and….?
The dress up doll is a bit too young, yes. I would go with the kitten war game, markers, or rocket.
Farrell | August 25th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
The Stomp Rocket is always a hit. I agree that the Melissa & Doug is a little bit young. I think those bottlecap necklace kits are pretty reasonable and 5-6 year old girls love them. You can always get a grab bag of cheapie make-up, nail polish, and glitter hairspray-if that woudl be ok with mom.
elz | August 25th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
We have that EXACT stomp rocket kit and it is a huge hit at our house and BONUS - the three and a half year old can do it by himself. You would never know it’s the glow variety unless you scrutinized the box - the rockets don’t look any different than the regular ones, and we’ve never tried to use it in the dark anyway.
Also, I really want that marker thing. But I don’t want to share it with any KIDS.
Elizabeth | August 25th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
oh, fun stuff, Swistle!
I would go with the markers (love the pipsqueaks markers) and the alphabet pack. Love the idea of Elizabeth wearing the shirt and giving it as a gift!
Melissa | August 25th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
I say the Hello Kitty shirt and the alphabet pack!
Becki D | August 25th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
As a mom of a soon to be 4 year old I would smile and say thanks for the Paperoni or the Pixos then give you the evil eye when you turn your back. HATE small, finicky-part toys. They end up all over the house and are never used as intented.
I say Stomp Rocket & Hello Kitty!
kakaty | August 25th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Definitely the markers! My daughter got the crayon telescoping tower for her birthday in June and it is BY FAR her favorite gift. I only wish I gave it to her!
Chris | August 25th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
I LOATHE pixos! They never stay stuck and they are easily lost on the floor and then found by the toddler who gets to swallow something that turns into glue when wet.
We love our stomp rocket though. It’s definitely an all ages toy!
vegas710 | August 25th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Stomp Rocket: We had one of these at a cabin where we stayed last summer with two other families. Kids of both sexes 3-8 all loved it.
Makers: Good idea if you want something practical.
Magnetic doll: My daughter got this doll for Christmas and loves it. She’s almost 4.5 now. Whether she’ll still love it when she turns 5 in seven months, I can’t say, but it’s been a favorite since last winter, so maybe.
StephLove | September 1st, 2010 at 11:49 am