Must Haves!!

I have always asked family to get learning toys. Mostly books and/or workbooks. My daughter loves reading, at first I read to her and now she is learning so the books never really get old. I would also suggest something that makes letter sounds and says the letters. This way they get familiar with the alphabet early. I have always preferred quiet toys.

since you have such a large family who want to help, donations to a college fund would be a great idea. How about a zoo membership or tickets to an outdoor event aimed at families with small children. If you don't have a good video camera or regular camera, those would also be great suggestions for you to capture those special moments. Merry Christmas!

A college savings fund is always the best thing! Maybe something he would enjoy but that is not a toy. A small fish tank to look at the fishies. Our friend's son had a fish tank in his room. Books that he will love throughout his childhood. Our son is 7 and has so many beloved favorite books that he has had forever. One of those "road" rugs for his room - with all the roads etc to drive your toy cars on. He will like this better when he is older. Clothes in whatever size you need. Our kid's favorite things from 12-24 months were their riding toys, the little shopping cart to push around, and the water table.

I'd ask people to contribute to a college fund...but in terms of must haves, kitchens, and all the stuff that goes with them. Vacuum, shopping cart and stroller. Boys love things they can push.

I have the same problem for my son his birthday was just yesterday and wow I got bombarded with toys. So now when people ask (my family always wants a list) I am going to put Diapers, summer clothes, Summer shoes, pool toys, bath toys, and books... you never can have enough books. He might be young yet now, but get him interested in touch and learn books. My son LOVES touch and feel books now at 12 months.

Books, savings bonds, crayons (the fat kind), coloring books, flash cards with colors, shapes, the alphabet, snow pants (2T), super easy floor puzzles...

I second the contributions to a college fund. You can only deal with so many toys, even educational ones. They take up a lot of space and are outgrown so quickly and then you find a place to store them for the next child or get rid of them. Another idea would be tuition for a Mommy/Tot, Daddy/Tot class at your local rec center. Tumbling or swimming are excellent choices. When my daughters were young, we took many dress-up, cooking, crafts, swimming and tumbling classes together. It was so much fun for all involved and the best part, we could leave the mess there although I usually stayed and helped clean up. The classes help teach social skills which are so important for young children to learn.

clothes in bigger sizes, diapers, books, educational toys, a winter coat, a tricycle, maybe they could all chip in and start a savings account for him?

Books and the time to sit down and read them.

My son lives in his play kitchen and loves loves his Thomas train table!

The simple things that aide in development. At this age, they don't need all the gadgetry. They are learning hand eye coordination, small motor skills, large motor skills and such, so:

A drum (my kids loved the play old drum with attached sticks from lil tykes)
One of those peg things with the hammer to pound them down.
The ABC blocks that he can stack and count and build with
A xylophone
Large stringing beads
Books with tapes or cd's to go with so he can listen as he looks at the pictures

Pretty soon he is going to really be into things with wheels.
Playmobil 1 2 3
Thomas the Train
Disney Cars
Balls
Hot Wheels
Dump trucks
Ride on toys are very loved at 1.5
Outdoor toys like slides and cars

Stuff to help you
Winter gear - boots, jackets, hats, gloves
Character sippy cups
Pajamas
Robeez Tredz shoes

What I do is make a wish list through Amazon and then share it with everyone so that they can get an idea of what the kids or I are interested in.

I get that having to many toys in the house can be much, but be thankful you have all these people to lighten the financial load on you for holidays. We don't have much family so we have to buy all this stuff for our kids.

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Some things I ask the grandparents for birthdays and Christmas are new shoes(stride rite), coat, pay for a class like gymboree, contribute to their college fund, diapers, clothes, gift cards to chickfila(we go eat at the one at the mall to get out of the house) or memberships to the zoo(my parents got one for the kids for Easter) or to the museum. We could easily afford all these things but my parents ask and my kids only like toys for a day or so.