Gift Guide for Kids
Although it may not seem like it, most kids are particular when it comes to gifts. Within milliseconds of unwrapping a gift, they decide whether it is good or not. The bad gifts get cast aside, while the good ones are opened immediately and sprawled over the floor. Eventually the bad gifts will be stuffed into the closet, where they will remain until next summer’s garage sale. These simple guidelines and rules assure you that your gifts won’t suffer a similar fate.
The Rules of Giving to Kids:
Nothing will insult a child more than being given a "baby gift." With each year of their lives, kids feel more like grown-ups and want to be treated as such. They wear big kid clothes and want to play with big kid toys. On the other end of the spectrum, if the toy is too complicated, the child will become frustrated and quickly lose interest. Look at the recommended ages for the toy, the age of the child on the box or in the commercials.
These recommendations also ensure that the toys are safe for kids of that age. With younger children, check the toys for small parts, sharp edges, and durability. Any toy that can't withstand pulling or tugging isn't good for small children.
Children develop their personalities very early in life, and they also become interested in many different hobbies. These hobbies are a great source for kids’ gifts. An aspiring artist would love a kids’ painting set, while an athlete would love sports memorabilia. These gifts mean more to kids than general toys and games.
Although it might seem like a fun idea to give little Johnny his first drum set, Mom and Dad might not enjoy the loud clamoring of sticks and slamming of cymbals. Generally avoid toys and games that make an excessive amount of noise. They might be fun for kids, but they are also torture devices for parents. If the child requests one of these toys, make sure it’s okay with the parents before you go out and buy it. This will save you some future resentment from the family.
A lot of kids would probably love a catapult that can launch water balloons 50 feet, but parents, family pets and neighbors may not. It’s easy to revert back to your childhood days and think of things you would have liked, and probably weren’t allowed to have. But try not to give gifts that are destined to get kids in trouble.
Even potentially messy gifts like a tie-die your own shirt kit can be hazardous in the winter. Parents may not like their newly tie-died couches or carpeting. When choosing a gift, there are two questions you should ask yourself:
- 1. Could this in any way be used as a weapon or annoyance device?
- 2. Could this cause harm to anything valuable, irreplaceable or living?
If you answered yes to one of those questions, you have two safe options. You could put the toy back on the shelf, for some less aware gift giver to buy, or you could call the child’s parents to see if they approve. Most probably won’t, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. In general, it’s safest to avoid potentially dangerous or destructive gifts.
If you are giving a toy that needs batteries to operate, make sure you include them. Nothing is worse to a parent than a screaming child who wants to play with a new toy but can’t. Inevitably, parents will have to search for a convenience store open on Christmas day to buy batteries. Any gift that causes the child to throw a fit and inconveniences the parents will not be appreciated by anyone. It’s a problem that can be solved for a couple extra dollars.
Good Luck and Happy Shopping!
