Christmas Shopping for Kids
Christmas is a truly magical season that is enjoyed by many but no one enjoys the Christmas season more than kids. It might be the prospect of some well deserved time off from school, the allure of the lights and decorations, the beauty of the snow that often accompanies Christmas or just the anticipation of Santa and his sleigh filled with toys that is so exciting for children but it is evident that most kids are truly enchanted by Christmas. For this reason many adults truly enjoy shopping for kids and Christmas time.
While Christmas shopping for kids is a great deal of fun there are some factors to consider when Christmas shopping for kids. A few of the specific concerns include selecting age appropriate toys, selecting toys which are not too noisy or too big for the child's living situation, selecting toys the child does not already have, selecting toys which the parents consider to be acceptable and finally selecting toys the child will enjoy. This can make Christmas shopping for kids a little more difficult but does not make the shopping any less fun.
Selecting age appropriate toys is very important when Christmas shopping for kids. This is so important for a couple of reasons. First of all it is important because toys which are designed for older children might be potentially dangerous for the child. For example toys which are designed for children over the age of three may contain small pieces which pose a choking hazard. Children under the age of three still often put toys and other objects in their mouths so they must receive toys which contain only pieces large enough to not be a choking hazard. Also, toys which are designed for an older child or even a younger child may not be as much fun for the child as they would be for children of the appropriate age. If the child is too young for the toy, they may be come easily frustrated because they can not use the toy appropriately. Conversely a child who is too old for a particular toy may become bored with the toy quickly.
When shopping for Christmas gifts for a child, it is also important to consider the child's parents and the living situation. This includes the size of the living area and the proximity to neighbors. Specifically toys which are particularly noisy may not be appropriate for a child who lives in an apartment building with other apartment units nearby. Also, large toys such as a trampoline may not be appropriate for a child who does not have a yard large enough to accommodate such a gift. Similarly large indoor items such as a foosball table would not be appropriate for a child who does not have a dedicated toy room to accommodate such a large item. As a general rule it is best to stick with small items which do not make a great deal of noise when Christmas shopping for kids.
It is also important to consider the personal beliefs of the parents when shopping for Christmas gifts for their children. Specifically you should not purchase an item for a child if you know their parents are ethically opposed to such as item. Guns and violent video games are a couple of obvious example of Christmas gifts which may offend the parents. There are many parents who do not allow their children to play with these items because they believe they promote violence. If you are not sure about the feelings of the parents, it is best not to select these items.
Finally, when Christmas shopping for a child, it is wise to consult the parents beforehand. This can be helpful for a couple of different reasons. First the parents can give some insight into the child's hobbies and interests which may make selecting a gift easier. They may even suggest a specific item from the child's Christmas list ensuring you are giving the child something he really wants for Christmas. Consulting the parents can also prevent you from giving the child a gift he already has. Try calling the parents before you make a purchase to suggest a particular item. They can let you know if they think the child will enjoy the item or if the child already has the item.
This is the hardest thing to do. You want to give your child nice gifts that you know they will like and cherish. It is hard to get this done year after year as you see some of what you buy just laying on a shelf and never played with or used. Having the child make a list of what they would like at times can help but many children at times just place on a list anything they can think of even if they really will not use the item.
This year we decided to try something different. We told the kids that we would get them one item. They just have to let us know what they really want. Hopefully it will go much better.
Kids are really hard to shop for. I know when I was a kid, I really never wanted anything. I grew up with 4 parents and 6 grandparents. I also had lots of aunts and uncles. I was an only child of my parents and the first of all my cousins until I was 8. That meant lots of people were buying me lots of gifts. This was a huge dilemma for me, as I hardly every played with toys and I didn't enjoy clutter or have space to store it all. Even after they started giving me cash, I would save it for years (I had many of them give me checks and then ask me months later to cash it so that they could their books to balance). I know I was rare, but I genuinely didn't want much. If just my parents each got me one gift, it would have covered everything I wanted for the holiday.
Just keep in mind, some kids are happy to have simple things like a journal or packs of pens/pencils. You don't have to get expensive and/or big gifts to give children a happy holiday. Mostly kids want to know that people love them and are willing to get them what they need.