So people want to know what Josh wants for chrismas....I have no clue! I have no need for anything really. So what are your kids getting or what are you asking for?

If a relative is not sure what to get the boys I always tell them when in doubt, go with clothes - they always need that.

This year I am basing what my 18 month old gets based on what his big 4 yr old brother wants, because he always wants to do what his big brother does. So Robots - (Wall-e or any kind of robot really) and Thomas the train for everyone!

When it was just my one little man, I think the Christmas when he was just around 2 he got a GeoTrax train, they are sturdy and meant for toddlers and there are a ton of accessories/expansion paks that relatives can get without spending too much. He has always loooooooved trains.

Little cars or construction-anything my boys love, too.

I always suggest books- you can never have too many and receiving them as gifts makes them special!

When it was just my one little man, I think the Christmas when he was just around 2 he got a GeoTrax train, they are sturdy and meant for toddlers and there are a ton of accessories/expansion paks that relatives can get without spending too much. He has always loooooooved trains.

Little cars or construction-anything my boys love, too.

ditto the GeoTrax - ds loves them and can now do them by himself. Definitely a good toy for relatives to give. Also, not sure when his b'day is but consider what he'll be doing between now and b'day or now and next Christmas. Tricycle, soccer ball, t-ball set...

I have way too many toys so this year I asked all our family to buy them books instead. I agree you can never have too many books.

DH got some money from his parent's estate, so he really has wanted to go all out this year. So we got what he wanted for DS which is one of the Peg Perego ride on cars, called a Polaris Ranger I think. We had to have a friend take us to the Toys R Us with his truck to get it. I thought it was too much, but DH really wanted to do this since our son has no grandparents on that side anymore. And then the only thing that DS said he wanted from Santa was an electric train set. We got one at Linen's and Things for I think 35% off, so now both things are hidden at the house! Our son tends to get really spoiled, but we end up doing is since his birthday is in Feb, we will spread out everything we have bought and divide it up between Christmas and Birthday. Since he got the big car for Christmas, I think more stuff should go to birthday.

I also agree on books too. We love books. I went to Barnes and Noble last week and got me, my dh, ds, and four other people books for gifts. It is so easy to go crazy in that store!

My kids aren't asking for anything in particular (they never do, is that weird lol) so i'm getting my ds a tricycle and my dd a bike. I'm so excited to give it to them!:mrgreen:

We are lucky in lots of ways because all of our kids (not including Cash) have mommies who go ALL OUT with gifts for birthdays and Christmas. We get no more than 3 (try to at least) gifts for under the tree for each and then a few small items as stocking stuffers. My parents do a lot for Matt so we do the same with him too.
We don't get asked often what to get the kids, but books and clothes are a big thing for us too. You can't have too many books! And okay, it may be corny, but I asked my grandma to get all the boys, me and Harold socks and underwear. Hey, we use it, we need it, It generally fits in her under $20 per person rule...so why not! It's easy for her to pick out as long as I give sizes. (I tell her specifics for me and Harold...although I let her get me granny panties! Everyone needs a few pair in the drawer!)

I am not doing much of anything for Rhyanne for Christmas this year...literally! Under the tree sits, Wall-E, Veggie Tales: Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, and three books. We went to Disneyland in October and her birthday is in February so I figure she is good to go. She also has grandparents, aunts and uncles who go all out so she will still come away with quite a haul.

Each year I make her go grocery shopping and pick out her favorite (non perishable) food and then give it to a food pantry so she understands the real meaning of giving and not just receiving. I think that is what I will do with some of the money that I would have spent on her gifts this year.

I agree with the book thing. Books are the best! In fact, Israel's b-day is 3 days before Christmas and I am having a Book Birthday Party. In lieu of a gift or card, I suggested bringing a new or previously-read book for him signed by the person as a memento. You could ask for this as a Christmas gift too. Something that doesn't cost much and he could keep for many, many years! (not to mention...easier to store than toys! ;)

In my family all the kids have savings accounts and/or college funds so it isn't uncommon to get cash or other monies to put into one or the other :) It's kind of nice, especially if the littles always end up with a boat load of toys!!