ok, so my son turns 4 on the 1st...would it be bad to not get him any toys for his birthday, just get clothes and shoes then save all the toys for christmas?

he already has tons of toys and books right now as it is...

maybe a small toy or video...others will probably get him toys anyway....or maybe even a couple of good books

I would not, could not, in a box.
I could not, would not, with a fox.
I will not eat them with a mouse.
I will not eat them in a house.
I will not eat them here or there.
I will not eat them anywhere.
I do not eat green eggs and ham.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

i always gave my kids their birthday party as their present.

we'd host it at an indoor playground, or a swimming pool, or a bowling alley.

by the time you paid for food, rentals, loot bags, etc., it was costly enough without adding a present to the mix, and they still received plenty of gifts from their friends.

Colouring books and crayons...the nice quiet toy that develops concentration, hand-eye-coordination, art apprecieation...and quiet time.

Worked like a charm on me....I still haven't kicked the habit!

keep it simple, kids appreciate even a large cardboard box to play with at that age.

he doesnt watch alot of tv/movies, hes limited to one show or movie a day, the rest of his time he plays outside (if its nice) or reads and colors...and this kid has more books then you know lol and on top of that, he brings home a new book every other day from school! there is, however, one book that i want to get him that i cant find ANYWHERE! its a book that i used to love and i still have memorized...its called "each peach pear plumb" i do believe...

but i am most certain everyone will be getting him toys...

My kids always got good books, they all turned out to be good students because they liked to read..

Sometimes just a cake,and hugs is plenty
a gift for a child.

Happy 4th. Birthday to your son

I don't know. I always give a toy and a new outfit for birthdays.

did you cut and paste that?

cheater.

;)

mmm cake...hes getting a piano cake because one of my good friends just signed with Warner Bros. and tristan absolutely loves him, he learned how to play the first 10 seconds of one of his songs!

maybe i should put him in piano lessons lol

but yes, cake and hugs...love em both :)

want a great gift idea for that age?

it's a DVD by leap frog, called 'the letter factory' and it teaches kids phonics.

i'd pop it in while my daughter had lunch, she was totally captivated by it, and was well prepared for kindergarten.

i dont plan on spending a whole lot this birthday...hes having cupcakes at school for the class party then were just having a small gathering in my courtyard for family and close friends. i figure i could just wait til day after thanksgiving sales and see what all i can cram into the budget for cheap ;)

he has something similar, he has the little leap frog laptop...they have a few cool activities on there. he also loves his little kareoke(sp) box...he jams out to the abc's and some bubble gum song lol and when im playin my music he sings the chorus, its the cutest thing

Why not mix them half and half?

Half of the toys for Christmas and half for his birthday?

Then he smiles both times.

He doesnt need toys, but making the day special in other ways would be good. My youngest son just turned four and instead of cake everyone had a big bowl of pudding... his with candles of course. Spending time as a family is more important than toys.

here's my take on it... I almost never give my daughter clothes for birthdays and Christmas. It's already my job to clothe her... And face it, no kid wants a pair of pants for their birthday. I don't think a 4 year old ( or any age kid for that matter) should be spoiled rotten with a bunch of toys either. But maybe 1 really cool gft he might like? Some toy he might have been wanting? Maybe a game or something? Just make the day special for him. Take him to McDonalds play land, or some kind place fun for him that isn't to expensive. Just make it "his day".

One time I got my daughter a gift card to toys r us... and took her there to pick something out. She felt some "big" with her gift card in her wallet. We had a blast playing with all the stuff there and I guided her to what she could afford with her gift card. We both had a great time.

I myself am guilty of buying clothes etc for my kids on their birthdays...My son could care less if he gets clothes My daughter loves Hollister so if it means getting it for her birthday then she is good....

My kids b days are close to Christmas and we happen to be Jewish so we celebrate both holidays...I tell them for their b days they can have small things and for the other they can have the big stuff...

There is nothing wrong with buying him what you feel they need..If it makes you feel better get some little toys so he can have something to play with until the other gifts come and see what he didnt get and go from there