Help! Advice for children's birthday presents please

[hc4361]

I have to buy three presents for children I don't know and I haven't a clue about toys. About £40 each. They are a 12 year old girl, a 9 year old boy and a 5 year old boy.
Anything your children particularly like?

[loobie]

My 7 year old Nephew is obsessed with Ben 10 and Dr Who!!!

[squarebear]

£40 for children who you don't know? How much do you spend on those you do know?

[loobie]

And Lego, and Bionnicles which are made by Lego!

Ooo and Hama Beads!!

[ummmm]

squarebear...I often struggle to know what to buy my own kids....let alone someone elses.

[squarebear]

Me too but I wouldn't spend £40 on some children I didn't know.

[ummmm]

I missed the 'I don't know' bit...

[Ankou]

go go hamsters are all the rage.
the 9 and12 year olds would probably prefer hmv vouchers or similar

i dont even spend 40 quid on my nieces and nephews. a tenner is enough for them and they are happy enough

[hc4361]

I'm buying them on behalf of a friend who is in hospital long term.
Thanks for the suggestions so far.

[redcrx]

my 4 year old loves ben 10. or how about a leapster 2 console? they were reduced before xmas so may still be good prices.

for a 9 year old i have bought things from the science museum collection of gadgets which have always gone down well.

[Naomicorlett]

My 9 year old Godson loves these
http://www.eurocosm.c...lectronics-kit-GB.asp

He has built so many amazing things.

[Naomicorlett]

Have a look on Amazon for the wonderful reviews

[boxtops]

The girl might well be a fan of Hannah Montana - my nieces are! - and there are lots of Hannah Montana products in the shops.

[mollykins]

Bathroom smellies for the girl.

[annie0000]

I would say that most 12 year olds are past Hannah Montana - all the ones I know are anyway - If you have no idea about their interests, you need to try to play safe. I would think something a bit more grown up - some perfume aimed at younger girls or some jewellry (troll beads?) or handbag. The 9 your old boy will probably be into some type of computer games, but you will not know which console or what he already has so a voucher for Game or something would fit the bill. I have boys of 9 and 8 and they are both into Lego, but not all their friends are - definitey too old for Ben 10 at 9, but probably still into star wars. 5 year old will be the easiest, Go Go's, Ben 10, Battlestrikers, Scooter - loads around and they are not as fussy at that age.

[bednobs]

you need to get the "must have" present that everybody wants. That is Cash in my experience. Seriously, think f all the hassle you will save them queuing up to return whatever it is you get them! If they are nice children, they will write to the person and tell them what they did wth the money, and will understand that a long term inmate can't go out and get presents.
If the person is wary about giving cash, Vouchers will do!
(although i bought my 15 an 12 year old nephews HMV vouchers this year and learned they "sold" them to their dad so they could get the cash!)

[royalking]

For baby girls the most interesting is give her a doll and you can get more better option at http://dollhousesstore.com/. For boys, cricket bat, football or something like this will be better.