Ideas for Children's Gifts

Take into account the child's age. You can get a more practical present for a baby who does not speak yet--items such as mittens, bibs and baby bottles are an option for a newborn, especially if you know his parents are on a tight budget. On the other hand, a child who already has an opinion about what she likes and doesn't like is better suited to a gift she would personally enjoy.

Get to know at least some of the child's interests. By casually asking the child about his hobbies or observing what he most likes to do, you can get him a gift that he will perhaps spend hours on while honing a skill or talent. If the child likes painting for instance, getting him a watercolor set or pastel crayons may help him develop what becomes a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Consider getting the child an educational item. If you are aware that a particular child does not enjoy scholarly pursuits like reading, you don't have to get her a set of encyclopedias to force her into a new habit. Instead, you can use her current interests as a path to higher learning. Video games, for example, are one avenue that adults can take advantage of to acquaint kids growing up in the digital age with ancient cultures, myths and historic lands.

Go beyond stereotypes. While it is fine to get a doll as a gift for a girl and a toy truck for a boy, this is a move best made if you know for a fact that these children appreciate such presents and you aren't simply making gender-based assumptions. Even if a child has particular preferences that you already know of, there is no reason to stick with old favorites every time you get her a gift. Find out more about the child and help her grow by getting her a gift that expands on an interest that is perhaps currently being neglected. A child who shows potential as a writer for instance may not recognize her talent and leave it undeveloped. In this case, you can encourage the child to explore writing by getting her her very first journal or word processor. An older child may even benefit from a laptop or personal computer all her own.

Give a gift that is not so much focused on the material aspect as it is on a value that goes beyond the surface. Spending an entire day with a child and engaging in her favorite activities can be a gift he treasures more dearly than any new gadget out on the market. Regularly taking children out to a museum or to the zoo--depending on his personal preferences--may be a gift that brings pleasant memories all the way into adulthood.