Even though this year seemed to come to a screeching halt around the end of February, somehow it still flew by! Here we are in the last two months of 2020 and it is time to start thinking about holiday gifts for everyone. Is it just me or does it get harder and harder to give meaningful kids’ gifts? Maybe you have young children, or you are the lucky grandparents of kids of varying ages, or you might be the cool aunt (Ahem…) of some amazing kids. If so, you probably want to find amazing, yet meaningful gifts for those little ones you love. This guide to giving meaningful kids’ gifts will get you on the right track.
If you have kids in the house, you probably don’t have to walk far to step over a few toys! Evidence of young children in the house is usually obvious. I used to say our house was furnished by Little Tykes! Because of this, as kids get older it becomes harder to find something unique and enjoyable to give them for a birthday or special occasion such as Christmas. I mean, they already have all of the characters to their favorite show and enough superhero accessories to defend the entire galaxy! Plus, if there are multiple children in the family it is even harder. Not just because you have more than one child to buy for, but because the younger siblings already have access to some of the previous gifts given to the older kiddos.
Whew! So how do you keep up your status as the cool aunt or the fun grandparents while not adding to the parents’ sense of overwhelm at the huge amount of “stuff” they may get during the Christmas season or on birthdays? I have a few ideas for giving meaningful kids’ gifts that might keep you in good gift-giving standing with the children AND their parents.
9 Ways to Make Gift-giving Meaningful
Make a list or a “My Favorite Things” survey: Of course, this tip is subject to the child’s age and the families’ traditions. Some families prefer that everything be a total surprise. That is an exciting way to give, but I have found that it is hard to meet expectations without some clues as to what a child is dreaming of for their holiday. Helping a young child make a list is a good way to understand their interests and it can help your family be more intentional about gifts. Another way to make a list might be to create a survey with writing prompts about what made the child’s favorites list that year. What is their favorite movie, book, color, activity, etc?
Customize the Gift Experience
Start the 3- gift tradition: There are several variations of this strategy. The basic premise is to set 3 categories of gifts that you give each child. The first time I saw this explained was in reference to the gifts that the Three Kings brought to Jesus. You can choose any categories that work for your family, but some that I have seen implemented are: Toy, Book, Clothing, Need, Want, Wear, Read. This guide may be more for the parents to gift rather than other family members and usually follows the traditions the family has set.
Traditional gifts – You could start a new tradition of giving the same type of gift each year. This can build the anticipation each year knowing that Nana always gets the latest video game they have been wanting or a new board game or maybe adds to a favorite collection each year.
Themed Gifts – This one is a favorite of mine! Think about what your child is into lately and create a gift pack or kit with all the necessary gear in it. Do you have a spy/detective in the house? Create a kit with tools that all spies need, such as a flashlight, radios, fingerprint cards and ink pad, hat, notepad, spy glasses, night vision goggles, and a briefcase to carry it all in. Other examples include, scientist, artist, baker, inventor, etc. For your older kids you could create a spa kit, or entertainment package. The fun part is getting creative and seeing how many items you can find that would fit the theme along with a theme related container to keep it in.
An experience with you: A gift of an experience with you and the child would be a win-win situation for the giver and the recipient. This gift is only limited by your imagination and your budget! It could be an afternoon at the movies followed by their favorite restaurant. How about an adventure to another town to explore?
Think about an individual experience that would cater to each child’s interest and sense of fun. This doesn’t have to be an expensive gift. If your budget is tight for gifts use this as a time to bond with the child and think of creative ways to make memories together. Would this child enjoy a day of playing their favorite games and watching movies with your undivided attention and no set bedtime? What about cooking/baking together? Create a custom adventure specifically for each child. This one has the potential to become a yearly tradition and one of the most meaningful kids’ gifts. The gift of time is priceless!
Meaningful Kids’ Gifts That Keep Giving
Monthly Subscriptions: This is an effective way to spread the gift experience throughout the year. There are several magazines designed for children that are based on their interests. Children will be reminded of you each month or so when they open the mailbox to get their very own magazine! This gift can promote their love of reading and their interest in science, world events, animals, etc. There will always be something to talk about on those zoom meetings you have with the grandkids!
Subscription boxes are more expensive than magazines as they usually start around $20 per shipment. You can determine how many shipments you want to have sent so it doesn’t need to be an entire year. The services will vary so be sure to check the fine print. These boxes contain the materials for a craft, science experiment or building project for kids to complete. Lots of fun and critical thinking going on throughout the year!
Membership to museum or zoo: This would be a bigger expense but could be given as a family gift which would certainly make your Christmas shopping simple. And just think of all the memories you would create on the many outings throughout the year. Memberships to these places usually have reciprocal benefits across cities and states so this gift could be a great value for a family that enjoys spending time exploring other cities. The museums change the installations often and you never know what mood the animals will be in when you go! Lots of adventures to be had!
Lessons/classes: Is there a budding artist or musician in the family? You could encourage this pursuit by paying for classes for a designated time. This gift would certainly put you at the top of the parents’ list of “best gift givers ever”. Giving children the opportunity to explore creative skills or practice sports sets them up for lifetime benefits such as critical thinking, problem solving and healthy habits. Currently, there are various types of classes for children offered virtually that could open up even more possibilities.
Shift Your Focus
Gifts that promote charity and service – Decide on some gifts for the child but also consider gifts that benefit the community or people in need. This could be a family project where the child has input into what type of gift they would like to pursue. There are many global nonprofits that offer programs for buying gifts for families in need such as farm animals to help a family generate an income. Or you could choose to do something close to home such as adding a tree to the neighborhood park, starting a food drive, or distributing gifts to families in need. Meaningful kids’ gifts like these teach generosity and compassion for others. Character traits that are vital for children to develop.
I hope these suggestions have helped you think of something meaningful to give the kids in your life for the upcoming holidays. Whatever you decide, it is always a good idea to discuss with the parents ahead of time to avoid duplicating gifts or giving something that would not be parent approved. Happy giving!
