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NBFR: Christmas suggestions and craft/table help

ambrvanambrvan member
in Blended Families
Ok, first of all, I decided to go ahead and get a jump on Christmas shopping tonight. Can we say Amazon, anyone? I had some money saved up for DH and I to go on a trip together next month (some of you may have read that thread), but just last Thursday he had something change at work and now his whole schedule is subject to change at any time. So we decided to just out that money towards Christmas. This way maybe we can do some of the extra activities I have wanted to do as a family around the holidays, namely something called ZooLights and ice skating at the zoo in my home city. Here's to hoping. We'll see.

Anyway... I have put a few things in my cart on Amazon, but am not going to purchase anything until DH has a chance to look it over when he is home from work tomorrow. For SD(7) I picked three Monster High dolls and an American Girl DVD collections of four movies. I was thinking of purchasing one of the American girl book sets (6 books), but I can't remember what the reading level on those are and can't seem to find it noted anywhere. So does anyone have any recommendations for beginning chapters books for a 7yo girl? Especially Christian themed chapter books for her age, those are hard to find.

And for DS, his birthday is right before Christmas. He will be 4. I picked out action figures for all the TMNTs (4), a big bucket of dinosaurs and accessories totaling 40 pieces, and a "My First Science Kit" for his age. I was thinking that the TMNTs would be his birthday gift. Anymore ideas for some long-interest-life items for a 4yo?

And as I was cleaning up the mess of fingerprints and art supplies off my dining table tonight, it hit me that Santa might bring them both a designated art center. I think I have a space that I can set aside specifically for them use. I have a spare coffee table that would be just perfect for it, and it is as of yet unfinished wood. So for all of you crafties, what kind of finish on top would be easiest to clean up art misshaps? And I don't want to go with chalkboard paint because I just don't want to deal with chalk in the house. Not going to happen.

Thanks in advance for any input, especially on the table!
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Re: NBFR: Christmas suggestions and craft/table help

  • PamelacakePamelacake member

    I would check craftster.org for more on the table. I have seen some really neat kids' crafting tables on there. Maybe just for some ideas. eh.

    I'm stuck on the books for 7yo SD but it I find anything I'll let you know. She loves to try to read in her bible but it's not working out very well.

    4yo I agree that legos, K'Nex or things like that keep interest for a long time. 10yo and 14yo still play with them. lol

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  • IlumineIlumine member
    Can't help you with the books, other than to suggest going to your local religious book store for suggestions.  Though I second the Narnia Books. 

    As for the table, I would do this.  

    1) On one side (the long end) I would attach a dowel.  Then you can run the paper (you can actually look at buying the rolls of meat wrapping paper or news print paper for cheap), across the table to both color on and protect. 

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    2) I would also look at painting the top with chalk board paint.  You can easily paint over it (keep the left over paint in one of those cool retouching pens) when necessarily.  

    3) Then, I would look at getting as many boxes WITH tops you can fit under the table.  And try to get one per craft material: ex one big enough to hold the coloring books only, one to hold crayons only, one to hold markers only (washable), etc.   

    Now it may just be my kid and her friends, but it makes clean up SO MUCH EASIER for her/them to handle when I direct them to clean up just ONE type of item at a time.  Not to mention, she is getting better at putting things away in her bin before moving onto the next item, so when done with the barbies, they all go in the barbie box before she moves onto the puzzles. 

    At the very least, it keeps the clutter down.   
    file:///Users/Ilumine/Desktop/Family%20Portrait%20for%20gift.jpg
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  • twister22twister22 member
    For Christian books check out https://www.christianbook.com/ to find age appropriate books. I used that site to find Christmas books for DS, and then compared prices between that site, Amazon, and my local Christian bookstore.


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  • ambrvanambrvan member
    Thanks, Twist! I figured you would probably have some suggestions on that.

    And thanks for all the other ideas, everyone.
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