Your kids may already have some ideas on the perfect Christmas gift they want to get. If that’s not the case, you will probably have to face a lot of challenges as you enter the mall and see thousands of items – all of them “on sale” and advertised as “the best Christmas gift for your children”, when they are actually nothing special or nothing your little one really needs. What you need is our ultimate Christmas shopping guide.
Here are essential things to have in mind as you purchase gifts for your children.
Make the gift age-appropriate.
Avoid finding the right gift at the wrong time. Here are some ideas for gifts intended for children of different ages.
If your child is 1 to 3 years old:
Toy dolls, plushies and similar toys that allow them to animate them will do the trick. As children are developing their motor skills at this age (with an accent on the motor and logical skills), you should also aim at toys that can help them with this. You can get your hands on:
…and virtually any toy or set that is fun and educational at the same time.
If your child is between 4 and 7 years old:
Their interest slowly turns to a different type of presents. At this age, kids are very adventurous and curious, so make sure their Christmas gift entices them to explore their potential interests. Here are some ideas:
If your child is older than 8 and younger than 12
Your goals are still to stimulate their curiosity through gifts. Again, books are your greatest allies in this mission, but they are just one point on a long list of presents that will make kids of this age happy. Here are other top choices:
You will probably keep getting ideas about the Christmas presents from your teenager (12-15).
The list might even become too long – teenagers simply have many needs. The following list includes some of the most popular gifts for children of this age that are proven to bring them the most satisfaction.
- tech gadgets
- clothes or cosmetics
- concert tickets
- online courses
- yearly subscriptions for Netflix, Spotify etc.
If your child is older than 16
The chances are they will give you clear indications on what they really want. Many of them will choose money over surprise gifts for a number of reasons, mostly because they want to save it for something bigger.
Besides cash, a gift that usually works for older teenagers can be something that will remind them of their childhood (a DVD of their favorite animated series, for instance).
Anyhow, pay attention to your teenager’s interests and you won’t have troubles finding the perfect item to make their Christmas awesome.
Atypical Christmas gifts for your children
Not all the gifts have to come in the box under the Christmas tree. Here are some additional ideas to make your child happy during Christmastime:
- Organize a trip – it doesn’t have to be anything fancy; a simple visit to your relatives will do a great job doubling your Christmas spirit and family bonding.
- Give your kids a gift voucher – if you feel your kids are old enough for this, you can purchase a gift card at virtually any store. Giving them a gift card also sends them a message that you believe they are mature and capable of making their own decisions.
- Help them refurbish their room – maybe instead of investing in their presents you can invest in their living space. It is a gift that will last for years.
- Focus on the experience of Christmas – get involved in the Christmas activities in your community or participate in a charity. Sing carols in your neighborhood. Inspire your kids to donate their old clothes. These activities are not really a “gift”, at least when it comes to its material side, yet they come with great value.
Finally, you know your kids best – when you find yourself at a mall or surfing a website, looking for the perfect present for your young one, make sure to think about things they are really into rather than falling for flashy ads.
How do you usually come up with Christmas presents for your kids? Come on, share your tricks with us in the comments!
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