Hanukkah Gift Planning

I've been working on holiday lists for the girls. Which naturally gets me thinking a lot about what we need, what the girls would like, what I would like, what will get the most use, what will be the best value. The girls have also asked for some specific things.

Aba and I would like to ask any gift givers to please shy away from electronic things. We like them to have more open-ended toys that use more imagination power than battery power.

For clothing, They all wear about 2T. Target seems to run smaller and they need 3T in most things. Gymboree is a 2T bottom and an 18-24 month top. Children's Place runs small so they need 3T especially for bottoms. Shoes are a 7 or 8.

I'll add as I think of more.

Chaya
Hobby horse (You know, the horse head with stick body. We saw one at Ikea and she adored it.)

Shira
Black horse (Breyer type. This she asked for.)
Camera (She asked for this, too.)

Batya
Baby stuff (for a 16 or 18 inch doll. She has enough babies, but clothing, diapers, cradle, etc are needed.)

For all of them
Dress-up stuff (Lakeshore Learning has some dress-up masks that are animal faces.)
Sand and water table

Guess who has been doing Hanukkah planning?

Yeah, I admit it. I'm excited for this year's gift giving. I think the girls are going the "get" the whole holiday this year. I don't think they are ready for too much of a Tzedakah project, but we will do something (probably collect canned goods for Tomchei Shabbat or children's toys for a local lady who gives them out to families in need.)

Anyhow, some of you know about my (unhealthy) fondness for all things Oompa. I got this email the other day and now I'm thinking about these. Originally I wanted to get the girls some Anamalz, but the Anamalz kind of squick me out with the fabric bits. They just look kind of creepy.

Now, hold my hand because you know I'm tempted to buy them now and "keep" them for Hanukkah. But we know that if I do that I will (a) lose them in the mess of a house (b) the girls will find them or (c) I'll cave and give them to the girls early.