[marigold]

Your dogs?

[sheila]

I am also bah! humbug! coming from a huge family Christmas was always magical.Then when everyone went their seperate ways, we went to florida for christmas for about 20 years. then my daughter left home and set up her own house. also Christmas is cancer time for me. twice I have been in hospital on christmas day (bowel cancer and breast cancer) and this year we are having to go to my daughters in laws !!!

[doganjo]

Your dogs?

Hmmm, not a bad idea - a kennel plaque - ABERDON HPR's and a picture of a Brittany - how about it Karen?

[marigold]

Yes Cancer and christmas sounds like the pits.
One of the difficulties with Christmas is that its very difficult to ignore and even if you would like to just get on and have a normal day cos you're not generally having a great time - it's very difficult to shut it out completely.

[MiriMaran]

I love Christmas, watching it unfold through my children's eyes, but for me I always feel a bit flat and by Boxing Day want to pack all decorations away and get back to normal.  The build up goes on for so long that the boys are whipped up into a complete frenzy long before Christmas arrives!  Thankfully they are always really appreciative of what they get!

[marigold]

Went to the health food shop today and bought the fruit for our christmas cake. Sian (13) found a lovely recipe on line with prunes and chocolate in it. Its so nice that they are helping plan things now. I would probably forgotten about making a cake without her.

[little blue]

What you getting them Miri?
Was going to make some suggestions I think they'd like.... but dont want to be misunderstood and cause offence to other TASers!

[MiriMaran]

Suggestions would be great Ruth.  They have a long list that they have created.  They are allowed to mention three in their letter to Santa on the understanding that they won't necessarily get all three.

I'm thinking of getting Oliver a cheap MP3 player, they would love a trampoline,  Harry is desperate for a miniture poodle puppy, which he's not getting!  Lego always goes down well.  So far I haven't thought too hard about it - its always the stockings I get worried about - trying to fill it with stuff that is cheap, but isn't tat.  The problem with my two is that they don't really play with their toys all that much, which is great on a day-to-day basis, but doesn't present buying very easy!

[little blue]

  The problem with my two is that they don't really play with their toys all that much, which is great on a day-to-day basis, but doesn't present buying very easy!

I was thinking along the lines of home butchery kits, horrible science, dissection sets, eyeballs in a jar.... things like that!!

[MiriMaran]

OH YEAH!!!! More detail please - you've got my attention now.  Harry would probably like a skeleton/anatomy kit where you build the body.  Ruth, you are definitely tuned into what my boys like.

[little blue]

 
Most of the places I'd get them are 'trade' ie what I'd use at work (spending somebody elses money!)
I'll have to think and get back to you.... though loads of toy shops, argos etc have Horrible science - beating hearts, eyeballs, stuff like that!

[MiriMaran]

Oh yes please do.  I'll have a look at the Horrible Science stuff as the boys will be old enough.  Oliver also loves illusion kits so may try to find him something in that line.

[Snoopy]

Hiya Mirimaran
just thinking about your boys, a couple of years ago Tara was into collecting
bugs and butterflies.

We got her a Bog Barn, I think it was by National Geographic - a great toy with
magnifying panels in the barn, and tweezers and bottles for water for the bugs and a book on what to feed different things you find in the garden - we didn't see her for days, collecting snails, butterflies moths etc.

Another thing that I had as a 12 year old, and you can get toy versions is a microscope- its really fun looking at flys wings, spiders legs and blue bottle eyes and stuff, even liquids can be quite interesting, and a human piece of skin, or a hair.

Most of these are available in Argos, but you may get them at car boots too.

Julie

[sandy]

My eldest had a microscope and a globe, now shes a Scientist in Australia the middle daughter loved her cabbage patch dolls and horse or animal toys and now has a cabbage patch and few babies and animals herself and is on this forum   and the youngest liked her dressing up stuff , music and Nurse kit, she did performing arts and media, used to do some performing and singing and is a support worker at a day center  Tara may turn out to be a botanist, or biologist or maybe a farmer

[MiriMaran]

I had been thinking about a microscope - I think Oliver would love it.  Oliver had a globe as a night light so that box is already ticked.  This is great having all you guys thinking of ideas - thank you.  I find it so hard because I've often found that I'm certain a present will be a huge success and then they play with it for a few days and then set aside and its not picked up again.  Mind you that's quite often presents that they've asked for.  Sounds like you did well with your children Sandy.  Oliver has always wanted to be a policeman like his Dad.  Harry wants to wash people for a living!!!!!!!!!