Santa’s list of Christmas present dos and don’ts for children

We can’t leave Santa scratching his beard over what to buy.

So we had a sneak peek at what’s top of their wishlists this Christmas just to help him …mums and dads too.

Must Buys

1. Scooters are everywhere at the moment. But they’re also on the list of dangerous toys, so get relatives to chip in with knee pads and a crash helmet. Price: scooters from €50. Buy online at www.elcorteingles.es
2. Surprise the kids with a visit from their favourite story book or movie character. My Party Perfect offers visits from Santa and his elf, Minnie and Mickey, Elsa from Frozen, and many more. Price: €15 per child for 40 mins. Contact Tel: 674 696 096 or email [email protected]
3. Girls like to shoot foam arrows as much as boys and they can target their beaus (sorry, bows) at whomsoever they please with the Nerf Rebelle Heartbreaker. Price: €22. Available on Amazon.
4. Get creative over the holidays and make a spruce spring home for your feathered friends with a paint-your-own birdhouse set, going ‘cheep’! Price: €7. Buy online at www.eurekakids.com
5. No Christmas is complete without the classic game of Twister. And when the kids have gone to bed, mum and dad can have a sneaky go themselves! Price: €22.99. Available on Amazon.

Stocking fillers

1. Trompos – spinning tops – are the latest retro playground craze. And with different performance levels there are lots to collect. Price: from €3.50 to €9. Buy online at www.juguetes-infantiles.es
2. This ‘Sewing School’ book is packed full of sewing projects that are perfect for children. Price: €15. Available on Amazon.

Don’t Buys

1. Avoid anything very loud (a drum kit, a machine gun) or potentially lethal (a boomerang) that might turn your peaceful Christmas Day into a headache haze or decapitate the cat.
2. Jewellery-making kits with lots of tiny beads. They will be dropped, there will be tears and then the baby will eat them.