Christmas is so much fun when you’re a kid who gets to look forward to waking up in the morning to find a colorful display of presents to unwrap. Now that you’re all grown up, you get to enjoy the greatest gift of all, which is giving back to your family. While it is exciting to come up with surprises for your kids, you first have to get past the stress of doing all the shopping. As you head out to the stores this season, keep these tips in mind for enjoying a stress-free shopping experience that results in the best gifts.
- Create a List of Priorities
All of those dazzling holiday displays can be distracting and throw you off course. If you’ve ever arrived home with more items that you weren’t expecting to buy than that were on your list, then you already know how frustrating it is to have to go back to the shops again. Since the average family is planning to spend $1300 on Christmas this year, it also makes sense to use every dollar wisely. Remembering that you want to focus on stocking your child’s bedroom library with books that fit their reading level or that they definitely need new bedding, gives you a starting point for gift-giving that fits their needs.
- Find Personalized Gifts
Every kid loves their name, and personalized gifts make it easy to tell whose socks are left in the middle of the living room floor. If you have multiple kids, then they’ll love having their own personalized beach towel or blanket. You can also get items that your kids will use at school personalized, too. Life is so much easier when your kid can quickly spot their sports duffel bag, and they’ll be able to quickly reclaim any items that they lose during big school events. On an extra special note, you get to see those lovely names you picked out in bold colors and fonts that upgrade a cool gift to one that will bring tons of gleeful squeals.
If you have older kids, they may be fixated on specific things during their pre-teen and teenage years. Try and pick up on what they like and use that as a basis to know what to give them when Christmas time rolls around. For instance, if they are an animal lover who dotes on their pet, why not check out a one-stop cat boutique for some creative gift ideas that will surely bring a smile to their face. You can personalize it, or you can just get them something that you know they will cherish.
- Look for Inspiration Based On Age Ranges
When your kids seem to have everything, it can be hard to come up with gift ideas for things they’ve not seen before. Try looking at a curated list of gift ideas that are organized according to different age groups. Gift-giving experts take time every year to survey kids, study their development, and get up-to-date on marketing trends so that they can share their knowledge with parents who might feel a little clueless while trying to shop for teens. With a quick glance, you’ll be able to find fun ideas that you might not have thought of. For instance, older kids might still enjoy remote control cars that are designed for rougher terrain.
- Save Time by Visiting One-Stop Shops
Thinking about other people on your gift list makes it easier to pick up an item that you randomly come across. For instance, you might see the perfect hat for your spouse while you are shopping for clothing for your kids. You can also make a strategic plan to visit shops online that offer a wide range of gifts for people of all ages. Being able to browse for Christmas gifts for the whole family at the same time you are looking for ones for your kids is a great way to utilize your time while you are already in the mood to shop.
- Select Gifts That Grow With Your Child
Many Christmas gifts seem like a great idea at the time, but they quickly get discarded once the season is over. Many common kid toys are only meant to last for a short time, and it is frustrating to see your carefully thought-out gift sitting idle in their closet. Certain gifts stand up to the test of time longer than others. Framed photo collages, personalized backpacks, and tabletop games are a few gift ideas that your kid can keep using for many years. When you find a gift that grows with your child, you’ll enjoy watching them use it in different ways. You’ll also enjoy being reminded of all of the enjoyable Christmas memories you’ve helped create over the years.
As a final note, don’t forget that the whole point of gift-giving is to show your kids how much you care. Choosing gifts that fit their age range and interests makes it more likely that you’ll see those excited smiles you love so much show up on Christmas morning. Plus, you’ll be happy to know that the gifts you wrap will help them grow and enjoy greater happiness as you move into the new year.
I like gifts that can grow with children. Mine are now grown adults, but I am into gifting experiences for my younger nieces and nephews. This year, the sis is getting a family pass to the Atlanta Zoo. I feel it’s a gift that keeps giving and she won’t have to clean the gift up off the floor all year long LOL.