Thread: Birthday/Christening/Wedding- Shopping help required!

Ok so not my Birthday/Christening or Wedding- yes S_T I know you are disapointed but no need to buy a hat just yet!

Nope this is all stuff Mr D has tasked me with! So in a couple of weeks I have to find the following:

1. Stickle Bricks (I can see something similar on amazon but the reviews are that it is awful quality)

2. A Christening present (girl) Mr D has ordered a cross necklace but was thinking something else I am thinking maybe a childs Bible?

3. His Dad has a Birthday too any ideas?? Litterally the man who has everything!

4. Mr D's friends wedding. They have asked for cash, to help decorate a flat they don't have. I am reluctant just to hand over cash, wouldn't mind something specific like paying for a meal on the honeymoon but just cash for "something we will decide later" seems a bit fishy.

So that is my shopping list, I need a few suggestions but also has anyone seen stickle bricks on the high street? It is for a one year old and they all say 3+ but figure they will be ok so long as they are good quality and don't fall apart.

The only thing I can suggest is vouchers for a particular shop, B&Q, Ikea or they do high street ones.
We have got 3 weddings and all have asked for cash. I am tempted to get vouchers. Unless anyone else comes up with a better idea!

That was Mr Ds suggestion (although he said BHS which I vetoed) I guess I just wanted something tangible. My parents still get wine glasses out and said so and so got us these for our wedding present and they have been married years! I wanted that for them. I don't mind giving cash when asked in a certain way. But this couple has gone from asking the ushers to hire their own suits (fair enough) to asking for that and some cash. I just get the impression they see the wedding as a chance to make a buck which I do not like!

Stickle Bricks aren't fab for under 3s. Chewing of stickle bricks results in lots of plastic parts in poo!
Something fabric with velcro is a good start for any budding builder.

Bible is a little predictable for christening. Son 1 has squaddies for Godfathers they bought him a silver pint pot and a fantastic wooden Noah's Ark with Mr & Mrs Noah and about 100 animals!

I would never give cash as a present have they got a list at johnny Lewis or similar?

We have been asked to get stickle bricks. Personally I was thinking something like duplo but the mum is a little erm dictatory? normally she has already got the gift from us and we pay her (seriously I think its wrong!).

Bible is predictable but I am pretty sure no one else will get it. Love the idea of Noah's Ark though. Will look into that!

Nope no list anywhere. Originally they had asked us to pay for parts of the wedding which I didn't really mind as I knew they couldn't really afford it but wanted to get married. Now I think one of the parents has stepped up and offered to pay for things so now they are asking us for money. Tbh (and this sounds uber mean) none of us think it will last beyond a year anyways so I don't want to hand over cash and have it being used to pay for a divorce! :S

I always get a book on Childrens Bible Stories rather than the Bible itself. Lots of pictures, and fun stories of Noah, and the Feeding of the 5000 and things in a language the under 10s can enjoy without being overbearing.

Birthday Pressies for the man who has everything... a day out, one of those Red Letter Days or whatever they are called now, or even a half day advance driving Skid course.... good fun, and very useful skills to have in the winter, it might even save his life.

Sue x

I was also going to suggest Noahs Ark toy type thing and/or Noahs Ark book.

Does your Father In Law like driving type things? I got my husband a fantastic day at Thruxton, even I enjoyed it and I didn't even drive. I bought it directly through them.

I went to a wedding once where on the invite, at the bottom it said "Cheques made payable to...". They got vouchers from us! I'd say vouchers. I also begrudge giving people money when that seems to be all they are after. Or how about something to decorate this imaginary flat with, a Willow Tree figurine or something like that. Don't like figurines myself but they might?

Didn't even know stickle bricks still existed, not played with those since Playschool! My girls have mega bloks, which even with a 7 month old are fine.

Know what you mean Dizzy about an 'item' although all of the invites are putting it as a preference! My friends want contribution for honeymoon. Mr S's for house type things. He'd like to give something they will remember, although being the cynic he doubts the longevity of the marriages. He daren't comment on my friends though!

We asked for money for our wedding but that was because 4 days after we were moving to Germany and needed to get some new white goods. I did feel extremely cheeky though, but thankfully everyone understood.

For a 1 year old I would also go with mega blocks, stickle bricks is not safe enough - well my 1 year old would chew them into a pulp within 5 minutes, or at least try.

Man that has everything? Hmmm I bought my Dad an engraved decanter and a bottle of Blue Saphire Gin (his favourite), but everyone is different so I can see your difficulty.

For the christening I quite like the Noah's Ark idea, although I have also bought sterling silver cutlery sets and childrens bibles and such like for friends childrens christenings.

Good luck with your list!

Jus to clarify I have no problem with people asking for money in place of wedding presents when there is a reason but in this case (going from what Mr D has said) she will end up spending it on a night out with the girls whilst he babysits his new stepchild and well I work hard for my money and that is not what I would want it spent on.

Right off to seek out a noahs ark type toy, I have been nicknamed the "cool Aunt" even though I am technically not an Aunt but hey and all the children look at what I bring as it is a little different from the norm and I think they would all enjoy helping her play with that.

FPD a childrens Bible is more like a collection of stories with lots of pictures (it really isnt like a grown up one at all) but they tend to seperate it into the books of the Bible a little but mostly its stories. I haven't explained that very well really but my sister and me both had them growing up.

As for stickle bricks I may call the SIL and ask if duplo/mega blocks would be a good alternative but will be prepared to order off amazon if she sticks to her guns! :S

Nothing to say of she sticks to her guns - she is the one that will have to supervise! Good luck DC!

Oh Dizzy, what a shopping list! Try gettingpersonal.co.uk for the Christening gift and birthday present. Fabulous stuff and 48-hour turn-around.

Okey dokey, for your Dad how about this?

OsSelect-Ordnance Survey

I got my Dad one and he loves it, but then he and I both adore looking at maps, depends if that floats his boat!

Apparently Clipo bricks are the new improved stickle bricks, redesigned to stop babies chewing the 'stickles' off!!


And 'daddy' gifts from my fave shop!!

Gifts for Him, Gifts For Men & Gift Ideas For Him

Thanks guys.

-Stickle bricks have been ordered (SIL should really be in the forces- she knows how to stick to her guns!)
-The "children" are doing a joint pressie for the FIL so we are being asked for a cheque again!
-The wedding couple came back asking for money so I have decided to buy them those storage bags that you suck the air from! what a lovely dizzy I am! (ok so we gave them until Friday to think of something then we are picking but I am all set on the storage bags)
- I am still seeking out a noahs ark but plan to head to the posh toy store in town (tis Surrey Dah-ling) as I have heard you can have them personalised there.

Thanks for all the help though ladies

OK. I'm going to a First Communion bash thingy on Saturday. I'm not a Catholic so haven't a clue how it works other than watching My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and I have a feeling it won't quite be like that. Anyway, do you buy prezzies or what? I thought I should but don't have a clue what's appropriate.

I'm considering a Nerf gun (for her) bottle of wine (for me). I think I might need some guidance.

Pmsl, the nerf gun would definitely liven things up!

casting the memory back further than i'm willing to admit, for mine I got a bible, a gold crucifix with my name engraved on the back, god knows how many sets of rosary beads and my mum and dad bought me a watch.

we aren't Catholic but I have been to a few necklaces for girls are pretty traditional, bibles etc too. One friend at school got a little teddy all dressed up was so cute!

I'm not a particularly traditional sort of person and the Communionee (is that a word?!) is a bit of a tom boy. She's going to look with barely concealed disgust at the bibles etc., but I think she'll love the nerf gun.

Nerf gun and wine it is then!

How about a nice silver plated tooth and lock of hair holder. I got one for my god-daughter last year and its absolutely gorgeous. It was like a carriage and horse like in Cinderella. I like to buy the things that people dont lol