symesa

Exactly.

For my nephews, who LITERALLY have EVERYTHING (plus, they live in China where all that "stuff" comes from anyway) I give them a donation to an animal charity. The only thing they "unwrap" is the poster, stuffed animal, or T-shirt that comes free when a donation has been made. And quite honestly, I don't really care if they "get" something...there's a lesson to be learned about giving and receiving graciously.

Eva

My parents usually give/send us money for something like dance classes or something else they need/enjoy. They usually get them some books and clothes, maybe a board game or some art supplies. Always great gifts from them! Now the ILs....MIL is all about tons of things that can be opened at her house...preferrably ripped open, if they don't open one after the other she gets kind of pushy. So not how I want my children to be, open a gift, toss it on a pile, open the next...blah! We have asked for memberships or classes many times, and she doesn't do that, even though she could totally come along and watch them/participate. Go figure.
I am hoping with all the lead recalls I can get her to get some more natural toys instead of all plastic.

We want to get DS a Like-a-Bike or something similar (Skuut), some books, maybe some LEGOS and something for his BRIO train set.
DD will get books, a doll bed, some books on CD, a music box, and art supplies.