I am already fretting over the Christmas presents I haven’t bought. The ones my kids don’t need. The list they can’t even make because they already have too much. But I do have a few ideas that are on the less expensive side.
In my former life-pre-kids of my own-I was a preschool teacher. We had a room filled with dramatic play boxes. Each box contained all sorts of props that went along with a specific theme. We had a post office box, a medical box, office box, hairdressing box. The list could be endless. It was great to change out the housekeeping area with a different theme or when the kids were interested in something, you could pull out a box filled with things for them to play with.
When Jake and Molly were younger I made them a doctors kit and a hairdressing box for Christmas one year. Both were much loved by all three kids and both could use some updating. My kids ask to play with both of these often. They are big hits around here.
For the hairdressing kit I started at the thrift store. I bought a small blow dryer, a curling iron. I cut the cords off so they couldn’t electrocute themselves. Then I hit the dollar store for brushes, combs, mirrors, pink fuzzie curlers, an empty sparay bottle, chap stick, and make-up applicators, a nail brush and files. Next I went to the beauty supply store for anything I couldn’t find at the dollar store-a plastic cape, a shower cap etc..I tried to keep it cheap and not messy. So I didn’t put in real nail polish or make-up.
For the medical supplies I went to a real drug store. Check for a medical supply store in your area-it’s much cheaper than the big chains! I bought tons of gauze, band aids, an oxygen mask, empty pill bottles that I filled with cotton balls and q tips and craft sticks. I bought a neck brace and ace bandages. I put in a clip board and paper and pen and manilla folders for charts and appointments. A white blouse for a lab coat and a name tag and real stethoscope (from a school supply store-maybe Discount School Supply) and a big purse as a Doctors bag.
I used clear tubbies instead of boxes and labeled the outside. So this year I will re-stock the supplies on those two boxes and I am also thinking about making an office themed box. I am planning on adding to our dress up box too. That stays out all of the time but as Molly and her friends get bigger-well the clothes aren’t. Maybe some new wigs and high heels! Of all the gifts over the years-I must say, these dramatic play boxes have been the best bang for my buck. They are about 8 years old and still going strong!
Another great place to check frequently is Kids Know Stuff. It is a site that reviews kids products-only the reviews are by kids-cause they know what they like! They will be busily reviewing lots of stuff in time for your holiday shopping!
Don’t forget to join the recipe party on Thursday. This weeks theme is ORANGE. Post a recipe on your blog and then post a link here on PepperPaints on Thursday on the Quarter Recipe post. It’s easy.
And my black and White photo for today……………
For links to other bloggers that are participating in the November In Black and White check out SpringTreeRoad
a ton of great ideas all in one post. thanks!
If I had young kids again, these ideas would be great! I’ll have to remember this for when I have grandkids – if I’m so lucky. Fun photo, too.
please don’t tell me we need to be stressing about christmas presents *already*! ;^)
you brought back some really sweet preschool memories with this post. :^)
I love the idea of the beauty salon box!
My oldest daughter has wanted to be a doctor since she was 2 and last christmas I got her a big purse that looked like an old fashioned doctor bag and bought real medical supplies for it– plastic gloves, a thermometer, an ace bandage, an odoscope (I think that’s the name… to look in ears with a light), and even a ball point pen that looked like a syringe with blood. That was her favorite part. I got the stuff from a nurse’s supply company really cheap (and had some things already like an old blood pressure cuff) and she loved it. I think my younger daughter would love the hairdresser angle and this has me thinking about my boys now too.
I was just posting about presents too. One thing I’m planning is to make each child a photo album of favorite memories. Art supplies are on the list too, of course, and a few other things.
Thanks for the ideas!
I love doing themes for Xmas. One year Beth was really into “spying” So i went to the thrift store and found a small adult overcoat (looked like a detective coat) and a pair of slacks that were similar in color. Then I cut up the slacks and used them to add secret pockets all over the inside and outside of the overcoat. Then I filled the the pockets with spy gear. A small notebook, a cheap audio recorder, magnifying glass, invisible ink pen. I can’t think of anything else right now but I know there was more. The amazing thing about this gift is I did all the sewing on my short breaks at home from the hospital. This was the year Beth had her bowel resection and was in the hospital the 10 days before Xmas. Dan and I would swap nights so every other night I was home with the boys. That’s when I would do the sewing. She still has that coat many years later, although I haven’t seen it out for play in quite awhile. Maybe I can convince her to let her younger brother play with it.
I love this post! Such good ideas! I need to breathe some new life into our dress up bin too. The themed prop boxes are great ideas — I will hit the thrift store soon
I also like Sheila’s comment (above) re: spy gear. My guys would dig that 
Thanks for posting this!
That’s a great set of Ideas! I have a blog alert for the phrase “Medical Supplies” and that’s how I found you. You must have been a GREAT teacher. If anyone want’s to order some of the medical kit stuff online, you invited to check out our site Vitality Medical.
They are excellent ideas for Xmas. My kids would totally love them as they are very much into imaginary play.
Wow, you are so creative! Those are great ideas for Christmas gifts. My children are older, my youngest is 11. They would have loved things like that when they were younger! Love the photo. You captured the joy on their faces beautifully!
Oh Sheila-I may just steal the spy idea!!
I love your ideas for the dramatic play boxes. I think I need to put some together for our house.
That is a great photo. What joyful expressions!
I’m in love with this idea of dramatic play boxes. I’m all about kits this year – mail kits, make up kits, cooking kits… So this fits right in. Thanks!