So, I've been racking my brain for something to get my 7 year old daughter for Christmas, without blowing my entire "Christmas bonus" ($178, that is an instore credit for Menards, we have a toy section for the holidays..)
She likes it when I bring my cricut up and we cut things out and make "pages" with it. She can run the cricut herself, and when I brought my G up last time, she was able to figure that out too and cut things. She likes picking out the colors, and the princess and wedding girl are the ones that she makes every time...
Would it look like I was "cheap" if I made her a bunch of paper dolls that she could assemble? Along with like Hello kitties, or Hannah montanas and other things? And then I'd put them in a special folder of some sort so she could mix and match them as she wanted.. Maybe use baseball card holders or something..
Anyone else have any other hand made items for a 7 year old? I'm also thinking of a tied fleece blanket, and perhaps a pillow to match.. I just feel horrible cause I've been able to go "all out" the last few years, but this year I won't be able to do anything "big" until her birthday (which I'm buying right away when I get taxes back, since her birthday is in May)
Please comment with any ideas :) Thanks!!
9 comments:
I think that those are wonderful ideas. She might be a little bummed, but she will get over it. Good luck!
Amanda,
Paper dolls sound great for a 7 year old. If you can throw in a couple of bottles of Stickles or some glitter glue purchased at the $$ store, as well as some packs of rhinestones, little girls love that stuff. Page protectors work great for holding "stuff". I keep mine in a zippered binder so that small things don't fall out and if they do, they don't get lost. I have my page protectors closing with hook and latch tabs. Staples also sold some zippered page protectors the last time I looked, but that was quite awhile ago. Have fun designing the clothes and you can always cut dresses out of magazine pages as well, just don't forget the shoes and bags.
Another suggestion would be a book of coupons for your time set aside to cut out paper dolls, look through magazine for clothes to cut out, etc. Kids love coupons as they feel an ownership (as well as a bit of power). If she is a girly girl, then perhaps a coupon for a manicure and/or pedicure or a hair trim - a girl's day out.
If you plan to make her a tied fleece blanket and matching pillow, then perhaps a coupon to allow her to pick out the fleece
colours as you say she loves doing that. That way it should take some pressure off of your finances at this time of year and it would help spread the expense out past the holidays. Anyway.. Just some thoughts.
Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.
Nancy
First, I do not think it is "cheap" to come up with creative ideas for gift giving. I have seen the exact idea that you have of paper dolls/hello kitty but done in vinyl and used with some type of plastic board (cutting board would do) and it is like the doll dress up kits that you can buy. Also, how about some room decor for her. I am going to make "hanging" decor for my 8 yr old granddaughter's room - some peace signs, hearts, Live-love-laugh sign and they will hang from her ceiling. I use recycled cereal boxes for my "chipboard" so that the items are sturdy and hang without tearing. Also, I went to my local dollar store and bought a small basket and a piece of crafting foam to go in it. I am going to take small candy bars and attach them to skewers along with cuts from my cricut that have a christmas theme (also attached to skewers) and make a neat candy basket with a small gift card enclosed as well.
Hope this helps a little - Good luck and remember, 7 is such a sweet and precious age. I'm sure she will appreciate anything that you do...
Deanne G
dgutierez1@msn.com
Well.. in my honest opinion... I'd say save the paper dolls and MAKE them WITH her the next time you see her. Sounds like it would be a good bonding experience... or make them as a side gift... but not as a main or only gift.
Instead of spending money on all of those Christmas cards (posted below) ... save the postage and add that to your gift buying. Send a digital card instead and explain why you went "el cheapo" with the cards this year.. I'm sure that any normal human being would understand that you didn't send them a card because you wanted to spend the money on your daughter instead of being "el cheapo" with her. And.. as a side bonus.. you'll be ahead of the game for your cards next year!
Sorry - no gift ideas for a seven year old girl.. as I have no clue what they are into...
Spend some (or in my opinion... ALL) of that "bonus" cash on her. (Or better yet.. ask your fiance for help... he's going to be her step-dad after all.)
She's your daughter... isn't she worth it????
Amanda, WOW your idea sounds great; I loved paper dolls when I was little. Maybe you can get a pretty box, they have cute and pretty ones at Big Lots for about $5, and I put in a donation for $5 today for you, under VCountrygirl1 @aol .com, wish I could give you more but unemployed at this time. Thank you for always being there for us!
mhalford6 @aol. com
How about some pretty papers & embellishments & a pretty file box or flat container of some kind & then let her make her own dolls & accessories. In other words free reign with the gypsy or Cricut. I think she would be thrilled to make her own!
Why not get her her own supplies or cartridge? This way she has her own stash and can spend priceless time with you creating. Ginger
I think the paper dolls is a great idea. How about cutting out the base of the doll with magnetic material and then adhere a small amount of magnetic material to the back of all the clothes and accessories.
I know when I was younger, I loved my paper dolls.
Another thought, you could put the different dress-up looks and accessories for that look in different gift wrapped boxes. How fun to find so many different looks for her paper doll!
I'm with everyone that suggested the coupon/credit idea... Maybe make some to "start" her off and then give her coupons for "cricket time" lol...
Another suggestion would be to look in the bargain book section of book stores for craft ideas for kids (or even make a folder of bookmarked webpages) and give her coupons for "craftime" - maybe even pick up the materials for a couple so you can be ready.
Also dollar store has alot of kids books and coloring/activity books... KC
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