I've done it again.

Yes, once again I've left everything to the last minute, and this year I've taken it to the highest heights. I have presents to buy for the wee ones  and I haven't a clue what to get them.They have both said they'll let Father Christmas decide this year, because Father Christmas always knows what children would really, really like.

?

( help me Father Christmas I need you ).

If you live in the south west U.K, and you see a woman wandering around a city centre doing a good impersonation of a bewildered chicken - that'll be me no doubt, so take pity, pat me on the head and say there there dear, it'll be ok come the day.

I have ordered a couple of things made by this company which are presents that will make me and the children happy - a carpentry set for Billy and a lovely sewing/knitting case for Molly. And there lies the problem - finding toys that Mummy doesn't mind spending money on.

My kids look at something and think it looks like a great toy.

Mummy looks at the same thing and thinks it's a pile of plastic crap.

Kids should never be allowed to have opinion until they are about 18 and old enough to move out I reckon. Hmmph.

Any ideas on presents for a 9 yr old boy and 7 year old girl ( who hates dollies with a passion) would be most gratefully recieved.

Anyhow, I'll put up some pics from the latest Cotton & Paint for those of you who are far more organised than me to peruse ( and that means probably every other Mum on the planet most probably).

: )

If there's anybody out there as unorganised as me ( unlikely) do tell and I will love you.

Comments

[ellen kelley]

I think you have a perfectly acceptable excuse. For heaven's sake, you just got back from a huge trip. There is jet lag to get over as well.
I am not ready and I haven't been anywhere other than the laundry room, bathroom and to get a glass of wine from the kitchen. My house is a disaster, my 120lb Newfoundland dog ate one of my Christmas presents for my oldest son who loves to cook...the present being a VERY large bag of New Mexico HOT chili peppers, the aftermath of which has not been a pretty sight today.
Happy Christmas to you and your family. It will be great!

[ellen kelley]

I think you have a perfectly acceptable excuse. For heaven's sake, you just got back from a huge trip. There is jet lag to get over as well.
I am not ready and I haven't been anywhere other than the laundry room, bathroom and to get a glass of wine from the kitchen. My house is a disaster, my 120lb Newfoundland dog ate one of my Christmas presents for my oldest son who loves to cook...the present being a VERY large bag of New Mexico HOT chili peppers, the aftermath of which has not been a pretty sight today.
Happy Christmas to you and your family. It will be great!

[Lisa]

I love all the wonderful projects and pictures in that magazine. Great ideas.

Happy holidays!

[deedeen]

I'm not pretty sure of the name in english, but when I was a kid, I did love shacks (cabane in french). Why don't you make one with some fabrics or a big cardboard box? That's the only thing I can think of right now.

Oh, and thanks for the cotton & paint images, great!

[kate]

If it's any consolation, I tried to be organised for a change, and I was getting a bit smug.

But it's Thursday, and Christmas is Tuesday, and the mail order present for my 2 year old nephew hasn't arrived yet. We're not seeing him on Christmas Day - we're seeing him SUNDAY! This is rather stressful, because I don't know if I should just cave and buy him something else, or if it will arrive on time, and I don't want to waste thirty bucks on another present if I don't have to. EEK.

Do your kids like Lego? My brother and I played with that for hours at a time.

[Ali]

For the kids I say books books books! My 7 year old has been captivated by 'Everybody's Activity Book: Cut, Stick, Colour! by Pascale Estellon'.

But in a good bookshop, there will be something for every child of any passion and I don't know about you, but I never begrudge spending money on books.

[Mama Urchin]

Okay, may I suggest puzzles, legos (plastic but still good, I think), a sewing kit, books. I have little shopping to do but LOTS of making left to do so I'm in the boat with you.

[Siew]

Okay how's this: we're two months behind on the move in date of our new house so we're house sitting. All of our winter/Christmas things are in storage. So we have no tree or decorations. I have dinner with my family on Sunday and I haven't gotten any presents so for once I'm sponging off my brother and adding my name to his card for all my nephews (I'm paying him back by wrapping them tonight!). My poor 3 year old daughter has no idea what a crazy mixed up Christmas she's going to have this year. Oh, I did make some snowflakes with her last night. That's about as far as I've got. Feel better?

[Carrie]

I love it when you share magazine pictures! Moulin Roty does make cute things,great choice!

[patience]

You don't make things for your children? I have been having a wonderful time making things for my daughter and nieces based on the fabulous ideas I found at your weblog, especially Mousey whom I adore.(Thank you, by the way!)

One idea I saw at Soule Mama last year that I thought was great - a tent which fitted over the dining table.

Board games, cricket set, construction kits (eg, build a 3D robot or car), embroidery kit, paint by numbers, roller skates, kite. I'd say books too - my dd asked for a "book Christmas" for the second year in a row, but she's weird - do normal kids really like getting them?

[Nicky Fraser]

OH THANK GOD. I don't know which way is up at the moment, and keep staring vacantly at other people all jollying along so organised and fluffy, and even the guy in the coffee shop told me I looked 'bedraggled' today. Fantastic. No shopping done yet, hoards still to make, bags to pack, children to find and then clean, meals to 'pre-cook and freeze', (yeah, right) and ooodles more on the list. What day is it? Wednesday? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!! xx

[claudine]

Yeah what about books? I'm thinking of getting Dangerous Book For Boys and Daring Book For Girls for, ahem, myself, but I might share them with my daughter when she gets to about 7 or so.

[Lazy Cow]

My 7 yo book-loving, doll-hating daughter gets a book stack every Christmas (around 8 books). She's also getting Lego (the wonderful house construction one), a gardening set with seeds, a CD player (from her grandma)and 'sharing'with her 5 yo brother the big ticket toy: a Fur Real Squawking MacCaw (fun for the grownups too, I suspect). Any craft kit goes down well, along with Hama beads, huge packs of textas, etc. Good luck!

[Karen in Wichita]

I'm with you: all the relatives have asked for ideas for our son, and I've given them all of them. (Mostly: "Lego," and "Lego," and "some more Lego;" let's hope the obsession doesn't suddenly stop.)

My mother-in-law got him the Dangerous Book last year (or maybe birthday, I forget) along with a whole kit of stuff to do various things from the book. Chiefly he's amused himself with the windup alarm clock, setting it and then stashing it places. Glad it ticks loudly.

[Mau]

Oh dear, I've never been organized in my life - and my friends hate visiting me just because they cannot stand my piles of everything, covered with dust, cat hair and something that I don't mind thinking of... Anyhow: Christmas feeling is NOT the red ribbon artistically tied into the stairs, it's the feeling of relaxation, new book(s), chocolate and games. Nobody going anywhere.
As others already said, give your children books and legos (basic blocks, tons of basic blocks, not those mindstorm-Legos). Play Monopoly with them, and let them eat chocolate till they crave pickles.

[Lynn in Tucson]

Oh no no no no! It's not just you! Do you SEE all these comments? In fact, why am I sitting here? I have knitting to finish and no weekends at home left to me.

Hang in there. This, too, shall pass.

[Megan]

I promised my sister-in-law a tutu for her little girl to match my two girls and haven't made any of them yet. Haven't bought my son anything, and to add to the tutu palaver, both my girls have asked for a pet which neither of them are getting so I have to find a surprise substitute that will please them just as much, only haven't done that yet either. Hope this makes you feel less lonely. It makes me feel a great deal more panicky.

[Lynn in Tucson]

p.s. This comes highly recommended:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933605456/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I37K01HYZV3L28&colid=TKPWT50VQTVR

[Mary]

I have a 10 year old son who loves LEGO. I love LEGO because he not only builds the item, but he then changes it a bazillion times into whatever he wants. Great toy. I also have a 7 year old daughter. She loves dolls, but she also loves to draw and color so anything crafty is always a hit. She is begging for a diary with a key lock. All the rage with her little girlyfriends right now. They also have kits for making your own jewelry. (beads or even friendship bracelets made with embroidery floss).

[Dawn]

What about books like Treasure Island or Robinson Crueso? Legos are good but in our house it's a walking hazard. Or maybe a microscope, if you can find a simple one. They make pop up books that are really fancy and they have fairy pop up paperdoll books. Copy and paste this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1405049944/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I28VTW727FMJL8&colid=3TBO548HTJMFL
If it doesn't work the author is Maggie Bateson.

[Autum]

If anyone in the southeastern US sees a woman impersonating that same bewildered chicken, that would be me. I'm in that boat with you, and I love you too!

[Kathi]

Well, they must be perfectly happy children if they have no lists! That's a GOOD thing!

When my nieces and nephews were little, I was known as the "book auntie" because I loathed going into a toy store but I could (and can) happily spend hours in a bookstore. They weren't ever very excited upon opening the gift, as it "did" nothing. But the books far outlasted any of the toys.

[Alexis]

My daughter is 7 this Christmas too. I feel the same way you do about the plastic crap. This year I am giving her a marble run set by Quadrilla. It's made of wood and has fantastic spirals. I'm pretty sure that my 16 year old son will play with it with her; it looks that cool.I don't know if your daughter is too old, but I also bought a horse and pony ranch from Playmobil. I love all Playmobil, it's plastic, but not the terrible kind. Last suggestion, how about Calico Critters? Not so dolly like since they are animals, but you can set them up in homes or shops. Good luck and by the way the carpenter and sewing set are to die for. I tried accessing the site from your link, but couldn't find any ordering information. Do you know of a site where I could order from U.S.?

[Melissa]

I've bought my 6 year old Molly lots of craft kits, Badge Maker machine, Sticker Making Machine, Dig for Gems Set,Soap Making Kit......... is that any help?
Absolutely love your blog, good luck with the shopping.

[Maggie Pie]

Im waiting for some christmas mojo..this year it appears to be a little late.I plan to do my shopping on saturday!!! What about a small baking kit?