No toys for my daughter. She doesn't play with them properly. instead we are getting sensory learning things. Like puzzles, a hanging, swinging chair, a small trampoline and maybe a recordable hallmark book, so she'll hear the story but be able to turn the pages her self.

Nicely put. My boys love it when they get new toys, but they love it even more when I play that new toy with them. Board games or card games are my favorite XMas presents for them--because it forces them to interact with my wife and I (and gets them away from their video games).

I have a very limited budget, so I start shopping a few months prior to Christmas and stash things aside. I always get my son some educational items (books, board games) and then one or two 'fun' presents (I caved and bought him a pair of 'stompeez' slippers.) One game I bought my son is called "Guess Who?" http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?produc...(Phone number can only be seen by the question and answer creators)&pla=plat&cagpspn=pla It's low-tech and will teach him to focus on noticing and describing differences in characteristics of people. Minus a few stocking stuffers, I probably spent about $60. Since we live in a very small apartment, I love when we get gift certificates or tickets for local events/theme parks. My uncle sent us all tickets for the zoo which will come in very handy during Christmas break! I have been so focused on therapy and education, that it's a conscious effort for me to remember my son will only be 5 years old once in his life. Christmas can be a magical time full of great memories.

This is a wise choice. I use to spend so muchoney on toys for my toddler but he too does not play with them correctly .

I will go off and say that I try to give my son a great Christmas and I do get him lots of presents. I spent a good amount of money on him. He is an only child and I start Christmas shopping around July. I get a few things here and there up until Christmas. I have to say, I probably wont do that next Christmas. My son is 2 now, and he didn't even do as good this year with opening his present as he did the year before. He was actually upset by all the gifts. It made me sad. He didn't want to open any of them and cried. It was overwhelming for him. So, next year I am planning to give him less and maybe only wrap one or two presents and leave the rest open. It broke my heart that he couldn't enjoy it. I guess it was too much new stuff in one room. So more is not always good.