The Christmas Toy Appeal aims to give stockings full of gifts to thousands of children as young as two months and as old as 16, but shopping for such a wide age range can be daunting.

Newham Recorder: The Newham Bookshop is also a drop off pointThe Newham Bookshop is also a drop off point (Image: Archant)

Luckily we have lots of helpful ideas of presents to give - and a comprehensive list of where to give them.

Ideally gifts should not promote war or violence, and be both fun and educational.

• Story books for all ages,

• All types of craft sets, model kits, jigsaws, stationery and coloured pencils.

• Dolls and accessories.

• Cars and car sets for all ages.

• Boxed board games.

• Rucksacks.

• Lego, Duplo and other construction sets.

• £5/£10 fashion or sports vouchers.

• Compilation CDs.

• DVDs of children’s films.

• Toys from newborn to three years and early years toys from three to five years.

If you would prefer to donate money instead, Community Links is able to buy toys at trade prices to make sure your kindness helps as many children as possible. Please make cheques and postal orders payable to Community Links Trust.

DROP-OFF POINTS

• Beckton Library, 1 Kingsford Way, Beckton. Open Mon - Sat 10.30am - 8pm.

• Beckton Community Centre, 14 East Ham Manor Way, Beckton. Open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm.

• Canning Town Library, Barking Road, Canning Town. Open Mon - Sat 10.30am - 8pm.

• Custom House Library, Prince Regent Lane, Custom House. Open Mon, Tues, Sat 9.30am - 5.30pm, Thurs 1pm - 8pm.

• East Ham Library, 328 Barking Road, East Ham. Open Mon - Fri 9am -8pm, Sat 9.30am - 8pm.

• Field Community Centre, 147 Station Road, Forest Gate. Open Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm.

• Grass Roots, Grassroots Children’s Centre, Memorial Park, Memorial Avenue, Stratford. Open Mon - Fri 10am to 4pm.

• Green Street Library, 337-341 Green Street, Upton Park. Open Mon - Sat 10.30am - 8pm.

• The Gate Library, 2-6 Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate. Open Mon - Sat 10.30am - 8pm.

• The Hub, 123 Star Lane, Canning Town. Open Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm.

• Jack Cornwell Community Centre, Jack Cornwell Street, Manor Park. Open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm.

• Jeyes Community Centre, 1 James Close, Plaistow. Open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm.

• Katherine Road Community Centre, 254 Katherine Road, Forest Gate. Open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm.

• Manor Park Library, 685 - 693 Romford Road, Manor Park. Open Mon - Sat 10.30am - 8pm.

• Plaistow Library, North Street, Plaistow. Open Mon, Tues, Sat 9.30am - 5.30pm, Weds and Fri 9.30am - 5pm, Thurs 1pm - 8pm.

• Stratford Library, 3 The Grove, Stratford. Open Mon - Sat 9.30am - 8pm, Sun 1pm - 5pm.

• North Woolwich Library, 5 Pier Parade, North Woolwich. Mon, Tues, Sat 9.30am - 5.30pm, Thurs 1pm - 8pm.

• Newham Bookshop, 745 - 747 Barking Road, Plaistow. Open Tues - Sat, 10am to 4pm.

• St Bartholomew’s Church Centre, 292 Barking Road, East Ham. Open Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm.

• Theatre Royal Box Office, Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford. Open Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm, or until the start of that evening’s show.

• Community Links, 105 Barking Road, Canning Town. Open Mon - Fri 9am - 5.30pm.

• Community Links ASTA Hub, 14 Camel Road, Silvertown. Open Mon - Fri, 10am - 3pm.

• Arc in the Park, Hermit Road Park, Bethell Avenue.Open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm.

• EAT 16, St Lukes Community Centre, 87 Tarling Road, Canning Town. Open Mon - Fri 8am - 3pm.