No time, no ideas, little money and it's Christmas shopping time? Try these gift suggestions tailored specifically to a nanny's needs (and budget). You don't even need to leave the house, unless you want to, of course.
20 AND UNDER
Babies
* Six padded velour Animal Skittles with chiming ball. Suits 12 months plus, 18.99.
www.savethechildrenshop.co.uk
0870 112 5425
* Ark with play shapes. Includes wooden/fabric wheeled boat, with central house that 'un-Velcros' from the boat and has a mirror and rattle. Comes with an assortment of animals and pull string, washable fabric. Suits 18 months plus, 19.99.
www.tridias.co.uk
0870 443 1300
* Follow Me Bunny comes with a carrot to hide (within reasonable distance) and the intrepid rabbit to find. Both items contain sensors, or, as it's Christmas, you can believe they're magic. The rabbit utters appropriate phrases. Suits 12 months plus, 18.
www.boots.com
0845 070 8090
Under-fives
* It doesn't hurt to buy pressies that are good for you as well as them, hence the Sleepy Time Bunny Alarm Clock. Once time is set, bunny's eyes stay closed until it's time to wake, then bunny opens his eyes, his ears pop up and tongue pokes out (just like all of us). You could use the clock for naps as well as bedtime. There's also an optional alarm mode. Priced 19.99.
www.letterbox.co.uk
0870 066 7676
* The Noddy Scooter has three wheels for extra stability and non-inflatable tyres (so you won't have to pump them), and comes with stickers so the child can 'pimp their ride'. It also has a slightly retro feel that should earn Brownie points from your employer. Suits three years plus, 19.99.
www.mailorderexpress.com
08700 663366
* The Butterfly Garden comes with a free certificate for five Painted Lady butterflies, nutrition, 'flight house' and instructions. Suits four years plus, priced 19.95.
www.earthlets.co.uk
0845 072 4462
Older children
* Flair's FX Dream Weaver (above) should tick everyone's boxes - creative, relaxing, it recycles used paper AND it's tipped to be one of the top toys this Christmas. The kit consists of devices to facilitate folding and creasing strips of paper and a weaving loom that lets you fashion boxes, bags or anything else you fancy. Suits six years plus, 19.99.
www.flairplc.co.uk
020 8643 0320
* The Pat Says Now computer mouse is billed as a 'desk pet' and comes in a pirate design, a bilious green brain, a koi design in red/silver with a transparent 'tank' containing a little fish (not real) and a slightly risque body design that we don't need to go into here. Precision-made in Switzerland, this three-button wheel mouse has USB connection with PS/2 for PC and Macs and comes with a three-year warranty. 19.99.
www.fabstuff.net
0800 458 5448
* The child who feels too self-conscious for soft toys may still find comfort in the Sheep Cushion Cover. Complete with arms, feet and head, the cushion is soft and cuddly to touch. Measures 60 x 40 cm and you need to remember to buy a cushion pad to slip inside. 19.99.
www.joannawood.co.uk
020 7730 5064 UNDER 15
Babies
* Skwish is a wooden web of beads and rods, held together by elastic, that can be squeezed and squashed and pops back into shape. Suits birth-plus and is also good for stressed-out nannies, 13.99.
www.urchin.co.uk
0870 112 6006
* Bruin Activity Book in a Bag consists of a fabric book in carry bag with a little bear, attached by ribbon, to pop into bed, behind a table and into various daily situations. A clock features throughout the book, so you could include older children in your Bruin bear sessions. Suits six months plus, 9.99.
www.babiesrus.co.uk
0845 786 9778
* Discovery Dragon Castle has four padded fabric panels that include crinkle and squeaky textures, opening door, mirrors and pop-up figures.
Comes in a carry bag. Suits six months plus, 14.99.
Tridias, as above Under-fives
* Dinosaurs Block Puzzle (right) provides six different scenes to tie in with the 'I Dreamt I was a Dinosaur' book. Suits three years plus, 7.99; book, 5.99.
www.barefootbooks.com
0800 328 2640
* The Tooth Timer is a brightly painted wood timer/toothbrush holder.
Choose from a selection of designs/colours; comes with child's toothbrush.
10.99.
Letterbox as above
* Muji's Knitted Cat is handmade from an extra soft brushed wool mix fibre, 12.95.
www.muji.co.uk
020 7323 2208 Older children
* Teach them to have more than one trick up their sleeves with the 12 Classic Card Tricks kit. Includes step-by-step instructions and magic card case to facilitate tricks. 9.99.
www.alternativegifts.com
* If they're pining for a pet, get Tamagotchi Connexion - the interactive virtual pet to feed, care for and play games with, 12.49 from Mail Order Express. Or for another pet try a big, squawking Bird of Paradise or Parrot hand puppet, 12.99 from Letterbox.
Contacts as above Your boss in brief
* Beautiful beaded scarf, 19.50 marksandspencer.com
* Very rare plant Ixia Viridiflora jade green, two bulbs, 10.85.
www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk
* Carbon Clear Baby - assuage your boss's guilt (or yours) if you use disposable nappies. You get a certificate with personal message, presentation folder with details of how the company will plant 11 trees for each ton of CO2 you offset (650kg of greenhouse gases are generated by disposables during the first two and a half years of a baby's life). 5.85.
www.carbon-clear.com
* Cool Gigi girl mugs, 3.50, and loads of lovely china.
www.maxwellandwilliams.co.uk
Your mates in brief
* Popper popcorn machine, for when you watch DVDs together, 19.95.
www.paramountzone.com
* The Baby Owner's Manual. Although written in the style of an instruction manual for an electrical device, with humorous illustrations, it's full of helpful info. 9.99.
www.hawkin.com
* Magic case manicure set, incredibly compact, sliding lid, silver case with mirror, nail file, nail clippers, eyebrow comb, and more, 9.99 and it's BOGOF so you can keep one for yourself!
www.alternativegifts.com
