Here's another one. DD's partner's 3 teenage daughters live with them part of the time. Their mother is wealthy (and a pretty horrible person, from what I've been told) and they have just about everything they need. In the past I've bought them each a book. This year I got them each an adoption of an animal from Defenders of Wildlife. The adoptee receives a certificate and a small plush animal, and the organization gets some money to help with their excellent programs.
http://www.defenders.org/index.php

We'll see how this goes over!

Ah the plastic junk. My In Laws gave my kids that stuff for years. Messed up the house and their rooms. Some toys are good though. I have been teaching Sunday School to preschoolers for many years, so I am very familiar with the toys for that age group. I like the things that will last, like Legos and Brio trains (wood but paint does chip Brio will replace what breaks though.) Plastic toys need to be very sturdy so they can last abuse by many children over many years. Don't buy thin, cheap plastic stuff. Well made toy cars and trucks usually last. So do well made dolls of various types. Not the "gimic" type dolls or cars that do x, y and z, the old fashioned type. A wood kitchen set beats the heck out of a plastic set. The wood sets last for several generations usually. Well made wood puzzles for toddlers also last. So do wooden beading sets with big fat beads and shoelaces to bead them on. Wood blocks are good too. I played with the same blocks my dad did. I like the big cardboard blocks too, but those don't usually last.

The adults on my lists always get gift certificates to their favorite eatery. So much more practical than more junk to litter up the house. Hopefully they do use them. Older kids usually get books or something from the Science Museum. They have the coolest things there, rocks and magnets and similar things.

Ellen