I’ve seen lots of gift ideas/guides this year. I even put one together over at One Martini at a Time with cocktail gift ideas.
As I was looking through some of these gift guides trying to figure out what to get my kids for Christmas (which will probably be very little) I started to think about gifts I did not want my kids to get.
You know, those gifts that when the kids open them you shudder inside while forcing yourself to plaster a fake smile on your face. Yes, those gifts.
So, this year to save all of my fellow parents I put together a DO NOT BUY FOR KIDS Christmas list with some help from my fans on Facebook.
You’re welcome.
Anything with glitter
Glitter, along with angel food cake, was invented by the devil. It is truly evil and any arts/crafts project that comes with glitter should be outlawed immediately. I don’t really think I need to say more. And this is not the first time I’ve posted that glitter should never be purchased for kids, in case you were wondering.
The only exception to the glitter rule is glitter nail polish. And only if the child is old enough to use it without making a mess and needing parent supervision.
PlayDoh
My assy friend, Kimsley, said that PlayDoh is a hell no in her house and I would have to agree. That stuff is messy and always ends up in the carpet, the cracks of the tile, on the dogs, and other not so great places.
Nerf Guns
As a mom of girls my house doesn’t see a lot of Nerf guns but I do remember them from my childhood. They have lots of pieces which will inevitably get lost, broken, chewed up by dumb dogs, etc. And then as Katie said, once the pieces are lost, whining will start. No one wants a whining child. Trust me.
Musical Instruments
Unless you can find the one and only quiet musical instrument, don’t bother buying anything from this category. My kids have guitars, drums, and microphones which means that I have an instant headache whenever the band starts. Be kind and think quiet toys. Please. I think Greta and Angela will both agree with me on this one.
Dolls with little pieces
You know those oh so cute little dolls with the millions of little pieces. Yeah, don’t buy those. Along the same lines of Nerf guns those pieces will get lost and the kids will be sad. Plus, have you ever stepped on a little doll house, shoe, dress, etc? OUCH! Really, don’t buy anything with tiny pieces.
So, please do your fellow parents a favor and skip buying presents from these categories. The only exception would be if the parent specifically asks for one of these ideas and knows full and well what’s in store for them. And if that’s the case, I wish them the best of luck and invite them to visit my cocktail blog.
My friends, what would you add to this list of do not buy gifts for kids?
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I hid the Play Doh finally. After the baby tried to eat some. Sigh.
Alison recently posted..The Children Who Will Always Be Children
My dog tries to eat it every time the kids play with it.
Twitter: bocafrau
says:
I so agree on the Playdoh. As much fun as it is for the kids to play with – as much NOT fun it is for mommy to clean up. Hate it. Unfortunately, my kids have all the above and love it. Also, the hubby is a musician… my living room looks like a music studio… we have more guitars and amps etc than we could possibly need!!!
Susi recently posted..Santa and Mrs. Claus {Wordless Wednesday}
I guess the musical instruments make sense since your husband is a musician.
Twitter: latorres
says:
Amen! Play doh was on my anti list before I even scrolled down. And why do the parts get smaller as the kids get older? All I see when I look at a toy is all the parts that will get lost.
Leigh Ann recently posted..You are not alone in this
Lost, eaten by the dogs, stepped on at night. All sorts of things can happen with those little pieces.
Anything that plays loud music or makes sounds!
Nicole recently posted..Pajama Jeans, Moose Mugs, and Strange Viruses
Those should all be outlawed as presents!
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
I broke the rule and got the toddlers some sort of instrument toy this year. But it was a cheap one so I’m hoping they’ll break it before dinner time that day.
And to add more to the list? LEGOs. Stepping on those tiny little pieces, bare foot, in the dark warrants very colorful language. Ahem.
Kimberly recently posted..Please, Let Me
I should have put legos in the list of little doll parts since they both have a ton of small pieces. L has some big blocks that she loves and I like them better since they aren’t tiny like legos.
Twitter: madwomandiary
says:
The 4YO got a bear that came with marker for “decorating” it for a gift. WTH? Why would we encourage a child to use markers on her toys? Yes, the markers were surprisingly “lost” right after the party.
So just say no to markers, “child friendly” nail polish/makeup (is there really such a thing?) or toys that mimic questionable adult behavior… i.e. the barbie like dolls with slutty clothing.
SIGH.
My oldest got one of those bears with a marker once. If I remember right she colored on more than the bear. I wouldn’t dare get one for my youngest. She’s already a terror with pens.
As I was going down your list, I was laughing and nodding my head yes, yes, YES!!! LOL, I’m still laughing!
Glad you found it funny. That was my goal.
Well, I have purchased PlayDoh, Nerf guns, musical instruments, and Legos for my five-year old son for Christmas this year! We love Playdoh, but have rules as to when and where it can be used and he follows the rules for the most part. (At a table in a room with a hardwood floor, no mixing colors up. Anything that falls on the floor is easy to get up with a broom when it dries up, if the dog hasn’t eaten it first!) Same goes for Legos, he likes the sets that make the City buildings and vehicles, so he keeps them fairly well organized in separate bins, and won’t get them out when friends are over because “they’ll mess them up”.
I’m glad that works for your household.
Awww.. play doh….. loved that stuff as a child.. but yeah, I remember now that it didn’t stay long in my parents’ home. Lol… Guess I’ll have to make sure I start a list before our child is born!
Aleta recently posted..Nashville TN Vacation 2012
I’m sure you will figure out along the way what works and doesn’t work for your little one. I find it’s different for each kid.
Glitter is going to be the death of me and toy guns of the Nerf variety or any variety are just wrong! Guns are NOT toys. Period.
Tonya recently posted..My Best Of 2012
Layla had one present that had glitter in it. I got rid of it before she saw it to avoid tears and a huge disaster.