As we enter the gift-giving season, the stress of what to buy and how to pay for it begins to mount. Take heart… Here are ideas to delight and inspire your family. The good news is, these smart choices for your family are not budget-busters.
Above all, keep in mind that the most valuable gift you can give your family is time spent together playing, laughing and talking. Instead of focusing on your “presents,” find ways to focus on your “presence.” Make a gift-certificate for a low-cost family outing – such as sledding, and an after-sledding hot-chocolate party at home. Sharing the experience and then talking together will create memories that can last forever. If the weather is too bad to go outside, check out your local library for free passes to area museums. (Or, if you live in warmer climates, spend a family day at the beach or have a picnic in a park.)
If you have a big extended family (or group of friends) that usually swap gifts, opt for a “Cookie and Book Swap” party instead. Last December our family hosted our cousins, who brought gently used books and homemade cookies to share. Grown-ups and kids had a great time. All the children went home with a few “new” books for their own libraries, and the books left over were donated to a worthy cause. And, with each family contributing a batch of cookies, the party did not cost much money at all.
When you do decide to shop for gifts, remember this rule: The best toys for kids are the simplest ones. Research supports this, and many experts agree. Wooden blocks are a great example. This classic toy will become a different toy every time your child plays with them. Children will learn about cause and effect, balance, stability and more. They can play alone or with friends and siblings to develop problem-solving skills. If blocks are a new investment in your home, take a few minutes to get down on the floor and build yourself. You’ll be glad you did! Your kids will see you having fun and will cherish the time building with you. The blocks will “grow” with your child, and never go out of fashion.
Consider going “unplugged”. Toys that need electricity or batteries are initially seductive, but quickly become boring. Discarded and forgotten, they clutter up closets and corners. Opt for toys that encourage your kids to act, do, create and imagine. A basket of dress-up clothes (gather some from your own grown-up closet) with scarves and fabric can lead to hours of inspired play. (A wonderful bonus: research has shown role-playing is an excellent tool for helping kids to develop self-regulating skills which help in school and life.) Steering clear of electronic gadgets is good for your wallet, good for the earth, and great for your kids.
Look for gender-neutral toys that appeal to a wide range of kids and grown-ups. For example, the tumbling tower game Jenga is fun for all ages to play together, especially in the original form. However, the Jenga Pink Girl Talk will have limited appeal. Keep gender-neutral in mind when shopping for balls, scooters and other equipment that can be shared with friends, passed on or resold when your kids grow out of them.
Be wary of branded toys that lead to consumerism and turn great toys into commercials for TV shows or movies. For example, a kit from the LEGO 3-in-1 Creator series is more flexible than a specific movie or TV inspired Lego kit – which is limited in what it can be. Basic LEGO bricks, wheels and other generic pieces encourage kids to design their own inventions. And a simple doll or puppet that is not a specific character, can say, do and become whatever your child imagines.
Finally, marketers will try to trick you into buying electronic gadgets that promise to “make your kids smart“. Be smart yourself! Don’t fall for this marketing ploy. A better option is buying (or borrowing) books to read with your child. Whatever your child’s age (this includes babies and toddlers), time spent reading together is invaluable. If you are not a strong reader yourself, or need a break, borrow audio books from the library and listen together. Reading as a family will help support the healthy academic and social/emotional development of your child for now and for their future. What better gift is there?
For more information and free downloadable toy and media guides, see www.truceteachers.org.
Thank you! These are wonderful ideas. Do you have any suggestions for the pre teen set?
How about "share checks"? I read about these in the CCFC Holiday Guide. The idea is you give the child a check made out for $25 with the "pay to the order of" blank. The child gets to fill in the name of a charity they are passionate about.
And for the preteen set, I would still focus on time together. Maybe a certificate for a special one-on-one outing with mom or dad. Or maybe two copies of a book that you will both read and discuss together over the school break.
I invite others to share their ideas here…
I like the book idea. Maybe too I will give her a certificate to go on a horseback ride together. I know it is not free…but it is an adventure!