Dollhouses and Other Christmas Gifts

Can you prewrap a few gifts and leave in the trunk just in case? Here other parents seem to frown upon getting gifts from neighbors, school mates, or casual friends. A couple of parents have said no gifts unless they invite us to a birthday party. I actually asked a few moms after one firmly told me not to give her kids anything. They all 5 said they don't want to have more presents to buy and their kids have too many toys. So we don't.

The coolest dollhouse I think is the Loving Family one at walmart. It folds up and it looks great year after year. It is the perfect size.(I have two huge ones and believe me, they seem bigger every year;0-))

Santa brought my grandaughter the Caring Corners doll house. It folds up and doesn't take much room. We have bought the loving family dolls and furniture along with the caring corners one with it, she has about every piece of both that came out and she loves it. She has had it for 2 years and the only problem I see with it is that there isn't room to put the furniture in the house so maybe the Loving Family one would be better. I keep all the dolls and furniture for it in a 3 drawer cart on wheels and we keep it in our livingroom. Both my granddaughters along with every child that comes here loves playing with it.

My 4y got the Fisher Price Loving Family doll house last year when she was 3. She loves it. It comes with dolls and furniture and it all fits into the house which folds up when not in use.

As for gifts for the other kids I'd have your daughter make little ornaments for them.

We have had the Fisher Price Loving Family doll house for 2 years and my 5 year old still loves it. The sides fold up so it's not too large and we have had a lot of fun playing with it.

Question #1

I have a great list of online toy stores I look at for Christmas Ideas, then I go to Amazon.com and pay a lot less. I am not a Toys R' Us fan either and have made many of my purchases through Amazon. Check out my links below:

Great websites for Toy ideas:
http://www.ittakesavillagedallas.com/It_takes_a_village/O...

My 2010 Toy Shopping Guide:
http://www.ittakesavillagedallas.com/It_takes_a_village/B...

Happy Shopping!
VillageMom
www.ittakesavillagedallas.com

Well we love out pink castle doll house from melissa and doug. I have no answer to the gift thing.

I can respond to the dollhouse question. http://www.toysandgamesonline.com/Melissa-and-Doug-795-JW... It seems reasonable in size, price, & value. A great starter house. Free shipping. I'm getting one for my 3 year old. Good luck. I don't like stores because I feel limited in the value I am getting for what I spend and overwhelmed by the abundance of options.

Overall, Melissa and Doug brand toys offer great value and may satisfy your creative need.

We had the Fisher Price Loving Family doll house that my daughter liked. It folds up when not in use. We also have the calico corners dollhouse, but I don't think I would recommend it for your daughter's age because the parts are extremely small, even frustrating for an adult. My kids, 4 and 7, like it, but I would be leary to give it to a child under 3 that may still put things in their mouth and because you have to have fine motor skill to work with it. If I had to do all over again, I would have gotten a larger one that fits Barbie sized dolls. That would have lasted her a lot longer.

I shop online and in stores to try to get the best deal. We don't usually give gifts to my daughter's friends, but if you want to, then an ornament or candy maybe.

Wonderment is another Minneapolis toy store that we like.

The Playmobil Take Along Dollhouse gets good reviews.

I wouldn't bring presents for others' children without anything pre-arranged. If you would like to bring something for the family, and you are a baker, a tin of homemade cookies, bread, or candy would always be appreciated.

1) Lakeshore Learning Store in St. Louis Park is great. Very near Creative Kidstuff.
2) We really like the Fischer Price Loving Family Dollhouse.
3) Only if they are really good friends and you know they will bring your daughter a gift. Otherwise, I would skip it. If you do get a gift, I certainly don't think it needs to be expensive...

Peapods in St. Paul http://www.peapods.com/
Wonderment in Mpls. and in St. Paul http://wondermentshop.com.s31203.gridserver.com/
Choo Choo Bob's in St. Paul (for train lovers of all ages) http://www.choochoobobs.com/
Hub Hobby (multiple locations) tons of great stuff for all ages http://www.hubhobby.com/
Essence of Nonsense (in St. Paul if they are still in business) http://www.itsimplyworks.com/essenceofnonsense/

Part 1:

Kiddywampus is a nice toy store in St Louis Park, and the owner gives most profits to charity. She has a great alternative selection to what you can get at Toys R Us. They have a website, too. Lakeshore Learning also has some really nice toys. It's geared toward teachers, but I shop there frequently for gifts for kids. Both Kiddywampus and Lakeshore are MUCH less overwhelming than Toys R Us or the kids aisle at Target!

I feel that all toys are creative toys for kids. Some little girls like dolls and toy dishes so they can play house. Check out the local dollar stores for coloring books and colors as well as books to read to her. You should be able to ger her both. I know there are computer games for toddlers that teach shapes, colors, numbers, and letters. It might be something for her to do while you are making meals or cleaning.
As far as a doll house is concerned I would wait a few years. Too many small pieces that could be a choking hazard.
I would talk with the other Moms and find out if they want to exchange gifts this year. I would also set a price limit so you don't go over budget. You can always buy a few extra sets of coloring books, colors or books to read to kids put them in a gift bag and take them with you when you go to visit friends. If they give your kids a gift then you can say " oh no I left your gift in the car, be right back". If you don't need it you have a gift ready for birthdays or other events that come up as the year progresses.

(2) Calico Critters (pricey but real cute)
or just do a search on Amazon for doll houses... they have so many and different prices. Little girls love doll-houses from about that age. My daughter is now 8... and she played with her doll-house from about 2 years old... until about even last year. So... it lasts a long time... and grows with the child. They also love to do pretend play with it... and is good for them developmentally...

(3) Um... that can get out of hand. To me, just get some cheap token gifts. Or a thing of cookies... if you have a budget. It is merely, to me, a "token gift" type of thing. BUT for close friends... you can opt to get something more. So many people/kids/families to get 'gifts' for... just because you are having play-dates or visiting... and being the Holidays.. that sort of 'obligates' a person to bring a 'gift.' So... just stock up on a few things... "Token Gifts" that can be given to anyone... for that "just in case"... type of situation if someone give you/the kids a gift when they visit. OR.... an alternative is.... to get a token gift... but instead of for each individual in that family... get a token gift for the "family." For example, for my daughter's friends family (whom we are also friends with)... I got a stash of stuff/food items that didn't cost me much.. but put it in a basket.... wrapped cutely... and on the gift tag I put (for example): To: the Smith Family, "From: the Jones Family." THAT way... you take care of gifting for the whole family... not having to get individual 'gifts' for EACH of their kdis PLUS the parents... see what I mean? And that is what my friends did too... whom we also are friends with and with their kids.... and who we get together with.... AND it is more budget friendly that way. And I just gave the same thing, to each "Family."

(1) Amazon
E-aby
they are having lots of sales now and free shipping.

all the best,
Susan

Take a look at my Discovery Toys website. The toys are fantastic and it's not nearly as overwhelming as going to Toys R Us. The toys are broken down by age (baby, toddler, preschool, school-age) so it's easy to shop. All of the toys are educational, but also very fun so it doesn't feel like "learning" the whole time you play. Plus, everything comes with a lifetime warranty - if something breaks, it's easy to replace.

Check it out at http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao