The Art of Christmas Gifting
As a parent, you probably want nothing more during the Christmas season than to make the holiday one that they will never forget. You have the decorations up, recipes ready and all the fun activities that your kids’ little hearts could ever desire. Now all you have to do is to find that perfect gift and you are home free. But picking these out is never as easy as it seems.
Many parents believe that kids must want whatever gift is trending at the moment. While this is a safe bet in general, finding a gift for your children will actually treasure requires putting in some thought. Here is a comprehensive list of creative Christmas gift ideas for kids.
Creative Gift Ideas for Your Kids
For Infants
Kids at this age are not really aware of their surroundings. Therefore, when choosing a gift the most important factor to consider its functionality and to some extent aesthetics.
1. Christmas Clothes or Costumes
These are just the cutest. Have your kid dress up as a little elf, mini Santa or even a snowflake. Your options are truly limitless.
2. Teether Toys
If your kid is going through teething around Christmas then chew toys are a perfect gift idea. These allow them to relieve the irritation and truly enjoy the festivities with the rest of the family.
3. Rattles
Christmas themed rattle toys are a great idea for infants. It could be a Christmas tree, mini gift box or whatever else that rattles.
4. Animated Stuffed Animals
These stand out from your ordinary teddy bears with their various lifelike features. Some wiggle their ears while others have playback devices to sing to your child.
5. An Adjustable Infant Play Gym
Get one that you can set up anywhere whether it is on the crib, your bath station or their rocking chair. The gym and attached toys keep the child entertained and distracted as you multitask.
For Toddlers
At this age, kids are best described as avid explorers. They are curious and very creative so your gift should have these variables in mind.
1. Ball Pits
Ball pits are to children what catnip is to cats. There is something about being surrounded by all those colorful balls that brings them so much joy.
2. A Dollhouse
Your child is at an age where they love to mimic what they see which includes running a home. Getting them a dollhouse is the best way to give them an outlet for this desire.
3. Animated Books and Coloring Set
These include books with audio recordings, popup figures, and puppet slots. They are a great way to make ready fun for kids. Let your child channel their inner Picasso by getting them materials for coloring and painting. Crayons and colored pencils are the best in this case as they are less messy than oil paints and watercolors
4. A Bike or Scooter
This is the best stage to learn how to ride a bike or scooter. So get your kid one for Christmas and get them through this rite of passage.
For Preteens
This covers kids between the ages of seven and 12. At this stage, children are more aware of their personalities and interests. The best gift ideas are therefore those that allow them to explore these hobbies further.
1. A Musical Instrument
At this stage, your children are highly likely to maintain concentration and interest in learning a musical instrument. This is what makes it such a great Christmas gift idea.
2. Sports Equipment
This depends on your kid’s interests. Popular options include footballs, baseballs, baseball gloves and skating shoes.
3. Art and Crafts Supplies
Preteens are often more responsible and less likely to make huge messes. So if yours is still interested in arts you should consider getting him or her a full set to improve their skills.
For Teenagers
It goes without saying that teenagers are probably the hardest to shop for. This is mainly because not many of them are vocal about their interests to their parents. This will leave you playing the guessing game trying to figure out what they want. If you are not 100% sure where to start, here are a few options you can never really go wrong with.
1. Your Teen First Smart Phone or Laptop
It could be anything from a laptop for college to that latest smartphone they have been wanting for ages. They are often responsible enough at this age to put the devices to good use.
Read our guide on How To Set Rules When Giving Electronics To Your Children
2. Self-Help Books
This is perfect for older teens. There are very many motivational books out there for this age group that your child really could benefit from. Just make sure they actually like reading.
3. Board Games
This is a fun gift idea that your child can enjoy with their friends. It could be a monopoly board to teach them how to be responsible with their money, a challenging chess board or a fun snakes and ladders piece just for fun. Whatever it is they will most likely love it.
Save Money with DIY Gifts
It is always a nice gesture to spend money on someone in order to make them feel special during Christmas. However, a receipt is not the only way to prove your love. “Do-it-yourself” (DIY) gifts are increasingly popular and it is easy to see why. Recent statistics show that DIY gifts and decorations are a good idea as it reported that the average American spends between $141 and $248 on these costs only. The best part is that in addition to saving money these gifts allow you to add a more personal touch to what you present to your child. Here are a few awesome ideas in this case.
– Scrapbook with baby pictures.
– A DIY card.
– A picture frame.
– DIY wall art for their rooms.
– Handmade lampshades.
– Quilts.
– Charm bracelets.
These are all awesome ideas that your children will definitely enjoy. One very important thing to remember is that there are more gift swaps than just getting the biggest, trendiest and most expensive toy on the market. You need to keep in mind that all kids are different. So take your child’s age and interests into consideration while making your choice. That way there will be nothing but smiles, hugs, and tears of joy on Christmas morning.
Content courtesy of Kidguard • see original post here