Advice: What to do for a gift for my niece (3 years old)?

My niece is turning 3. My nephew is older and can now pick out his own presents. My brother recently re-did his basement and put everything in the garage and asked if there was anything in their I wanted otherwise he would donate it. When I went in there, I saw almost all of the gifts that I had previously bought for my niece and nephew. Hubby and I spent so much time looking for these presents and put a lot of thought into them. I told my brother how hurt I was and asked him what to do this year. He said "Whatever you want, it doesn't matter, you can even just come to the party and not bring anything." I realize the kids have more toys than they need.
A gift card seems so impersonal.

I want to bring something but I have no idea what to do. Any thoughts????

Thanks!

Re: Advice: What to do for a gift for my niece (3 years old)?

what about a savings bond? you're right, they probably don't need any more toys... but this is something years and years from now they will look back and really appreciate

Re: Advice: What to do for a gift for my niece (3 years old)?

An activity gift card? My MIL doesn't want to give my DS money or toys so she has been asking about paying for Saf T Swim or an Atlantis aquarium membership. We gave our friends who have a 3 year old and an 18 month old a gift card to Safari Adventure in Riverhead.

Message edited 1/29/2012 7:01:27 PM.

Re: Advice: What to do for a gift for my niece (3 years old)?

I have a 3-year-old boy and twin nieces who will be 3 in March.

You can't go wrong with Legos.

They all love them and there's so many different kinds of sets, we just rotate them.

There's also bristle blocks.

All three also got those Vtech learning tablets for Christmas.

That is something IMO that can't just be thrown in the back of a closet or garage.

Re: Advice: What to do for a gift for my niece (3 years old)?

My daughter loves her doodle bear, u can draw on it and wash it over and over again. Loves it!!!

Re: Advice: What to do for a gift for my niece (3 years old)?

What i did for my nieces for christmas was to get them build a bear gift cards...

They LOVED being able to go to the mall and create their own bear. They have so many cute new ones (scented bears too)...

I figured it was better than giving them yet another toy that may end up not being played with. I mean, the bears they made i guess at some point could end up in the trash but I know that the few my sons have made they've held onto...they are just "special". They give you a really cute mini house for the gift card too and there are so many accessories you could pair with it if you wanted!

Re: Advice: What to do for a gift for my niece (3 years old)?

bring them to the zoo or the aquarium. a day with you will probably be more memorable then a toy. $ towards an activity would also be great. I have an almost 5 year old and 3 1/2 year old twins, I absolutely dread christmas and birthdays because people just keep buying them toys and they never play with 1/2 of them.


Maybe something for outside (sandbox, roller coaster thing, picnic table?) if you really want to give a gift.

ETA: if someone offered to pay for my DCs karate, ice skating, gymnastics for even a month I'd be happy.

Message edited 1/30/2012 8:43:27 AM.

Re: Advice: What to do for a gift for my niece (3 years old)?

I agree with APs about activity gifts. Zoos, museums, inflatable bounce house places, etc. Something that isn't a "thing".