Gift Ideas for 3yr old girl?

[MsP]

I need to buy a Christmas for a 3yr old girl who seems to have everything a child would ever need. So I''m looking for something unique, maybe personalized, etc. I was thinking a presonalized chef''s set... monogramed apron and chefs hat. Or a bracelet with her name on it. She already has a personalized jewelry box.

I''m not around her to know exactly what trendy toys she has or doesn''t have. I had two toy ideas for her but in talking to her mother she either has or is getting them from someone else.

I''m quite stumped. I''ve been browsing etsy for ideas but I''m not even sure where to really begin.

My budget is $50... if it''s smaller and won''t cost me an arm and a leg to ship, I can go to $75. I''m giving her this tangible gift in addition to a savings bond. I remember as a kid hating getting savings bonds... so I''m trying to supplement it with something fun.

Thanks!!

 

[swingirl]

At that age my daughter loved to play dress-up.

http://www.littledressupshop.com/store/1608772/product/FLPSLP1

She would have enjoyed one of these.

 

[Luckyeshe]

I have goddaughters who are 2-3 years old. I am big on giving them books. Have you thought of getting her a monogrammed book or set or nursery rhymes or stories that her parents would be able to read to her? That could be an idea.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Date: 11/23/2009 2:03:45 PM
Author: Luckyeshe
I have goddaughters who are 2-3 years old. I am big on giving them books. Have you thought of getting her a monogrammed book or set or nursery rhymes or stories that her parents would be able to read to her? That could be an idea.

+1 BF''s nephew is now 2, and we like giving him books. He loves train books (Thomas, etc.) so we tend to go in that direction. And you can never go wrong with Dr. Suess.

Does she have her ears pierced? Small studs could be a possibility (I ask because my mom had mine pierced when I was 6 months old).

I don''t know if this might work, but what about a teddy bear or stuffed animal, and have her initials embroidered/monogrammed somewhere?

 

[D&T]

learning toys and books is my favorite to give, also those alphabet workbooks is nice, my four year old still loves those Violet or Scout Leapfrog stuffed animal, you can program their names and my DD loves to sing and spell along with it

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Let''s see...I think kids really do love seeing their names. My DD has a purse that is personalized and she loves carrying it around. Also a wooden stool with her name as a puzzle on top. My daughter is a year younger but she is really into dressing up, her dolls, pretend play and art. She loves dancing/singing too and someone posted on here a link where you can get a CD with her name in the songs. It is hard to know since you aren''t sure what stuff she already has. Someone told me about a crayon maker today. Sounded kinda cool but not sure what the age min. on that is.

 

[ericad]

My daughter loves melting beads! I buy them from Perler and they are lots of fun. I also love getting things from Montessori school supply places - lots of things that are great for this age but which they are not likely to already have. Can''t go wrong with puzzles, dress-ups, arts & crafts stuff...

(right now we''re on the hunt for a vintage spirograph, circa 1967 for our DD - remember those???!)

 

[Tacori E-ring]

My daughter just got this for her b-day and LOVES it. She thinks it is so funny.

 

[radiantquest]

Date: 11/23/2009 2:00:49 PM
Author: swingirl
At that age my daughter loved to play dress-up.

http://www.littledressupshop.com/store/1608772/product/FLPSLP1

She would have enjoyed one of these.

That is exactly what I was going to say. When my stepdaughter was younger I went looking for that. I remember that I found this chest that comes filled with all the things a little girl will need to play dress up. I can''t remember how much it was though. Even if she already has dress up clothes any girl would love more.

 

[meresal]

My niece is 4.5 and LOVES dressing up... and has for over a year now. Could you get her a princess set? (Tutu, wand, heels, tiara, etc.)

They sell these things all together, and my niece has a whole closet of dresses that she loves wearing around the house. Never have enough type of thing, especially when you have play dates, it's great for my sister to have dresses for the freinds to wear as well.

ETA: Swingirl, I just saw your post... so "ditto"

 

[Puppmom]

Mer, I just bought this for a friends 3YO daughter and she loves it. The musical skirts come in different varieties and the waste is adjustable.

Chicken Dance Skirt

 

[Puppmom]

Sorry, I can''t edit my post and realized I replied to Meresal not MissPrudential. Sorry about that!

 

[meresal]

Date: 11/24/2009 11:58:49 AM
Author: puppmom
Sorry, I can't edit my post and realized I replied to Meresal not MissPrudential. Sorry about that!

It's ok! I'm ordering the "Swan Lake" and "Sugar Plum Fairy" ones right now for my niece!

I love the Hokey Pokey and Ch9iken Dance ones, but thank goodness for the review that said that there were no words along with the music. She's loves the Hokey Pokey, but I worry about not having the words to follow along to? I can't for the life of me, being myself to send the Macarena one as a gag gift to my sister. She would KILL me if my niece wore than for more than 30 seconds!! LOL!!

 

[radiantquest]

It might be better to build your own dress up trunk. The reason that I say this is because most of them come in a theme. She may not want to be a fairy everyday or a princess everyday. It would also be fun for you to pick out the stuff that goes in. Feather boas, jewlery(of course), hats, 1 or 2 tutus, a cape, etc. Fun stuff.

Kids have great imaginations and it would be fun for her to be more than 1 thing. Plus it would be cheaper to do it yourself.

 

[yssie]

I saw the cutest thing in SkyMall, of all places! It was a personalized disney princess storybook - you supply the girl''s name, city, and the name of a friend. I would''ve loved something like that as a girl

 

[partgypsy]

I can tell you what my daughter is into right now.
Barbies, and little dolls, whether they be little disney dolls or dollhouse dolls. She calls them "my people".
Pretending to make food for us, tea sets get alot of use.
If dress up in particular SHOES! yes the fake high heels she but also points out boots in the store, walks around the house trying to wear my shoes and boots.
Dr. Seuss books, loves the rhyming aspects of green eggs and ham and the foot book.
Dancing (aka cds of music). Wiggles are a safe bet and both girls love the Muppet show soundtrack.
Puppets. For some reason she is obsessed with these 2 hand puppets that are of a Moose and a Flamingo. Loves when they act silly.
Last year they received an an animatronic chipmunk that chirped and moved when you petted it. They both went nuts over this, though I''m sure it wasn''t that expensive.

This age they are really into anything that is theirs, such as their purse, their umbrella, their apron, their photo album of family, etc.
Good luck! I think this is a fun age to buy for because they aren''t aware of brands and having to get a certain toy yet.

 

[partgypsy]

Here it is!

http://www.amazon.com/Fur-Real-Friends-Newborn-Chipmunk/dp/B001T9NJA4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1259098576&sr=1-3

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I found the cutest thing in the new US magazine and thought of this thread. It is an (old fashion looking) apron with individual pockets for each crayon right above the hem. Looked like it held 30 or so. If you are interested I can look in it for more info. It was around $25.