Christmas Presents for Children
Posted: December 12, 2007It’s time of the season for Christmas shopping. There are tonnes of advertisements online and on media on children’s toys as Christmas present. Toy R us, local shopping centres and malls are all running catalogues, advertisements and even mall stage shows to get parents to buy and buy. It also gets the children to be influenced and get their parents to buy and buy too.
So what are the few considerations to take before you start dishing out your credit card or hard cash (notes) to pay for those toys as Christmas presents. Here’s my experience as sharing:
1. Buy toys appropriate for their age
Do not buy toys or gifts that is over or under suitable for child. Most of the packaging outside the toys did state the suitable age
2. Buy toys that are safe
In the recent wake of toy recalls, it’s good that you keep yourself updated with the news. Here’s a handy tool to ensure that you’re informed of the latest toy recalls from CPSC. It’s an RSS feed and also available via e-mail.
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3. Consider the traditional board games
Many board games are now tailored to different age groups an family entertainment. Like Scrabble. There are the 3-6 years version, the family versions too! Monopoly is another board games that have different versions. The Disney version and the traditional version.
4. Toys that can be shared among family members
Some toys are for individual player but many of the toys are for 2 or more players. It is often good to select the toys that can be played by multiple players. This also promote closer family ties or friendships (when your children gets their friends to play the games too!)
5. Electronics Games
It is now becoming very popular for children. Even toddlers and children lap-top by Vtech, Mattel. TV console games (from Disney), Wii, Xbox 360, Ninetando DS lite, PSP lite etc. However, parents please note. Such games can be addictive and these electronics devices screen are usually small or too big, that can cause long term damage to the children’s eyesight !
6. Books
Books are great Christmas gift. Reading should be encouraged when young. Buy books that are appropriate for their literacy level. Some children actually like non-friction books like DK’s encyclopedia.
7. Children’s DVD
Educational DVD or Movie are also good Christmas gift. One that I can thought of was Charlie’s Chocolate Factory. It has a story to it and it is definitely non-violent.
8. Arts and Crafts
Encourage children to be creative. Gets painting set (non toxic paint) and markets and crayons for the young ones. Some brands to consider are Crayola and Faber Castell. Puppets (hand-made) are also great sources of Christmas gifts. Plane and cars DIY models for the boys are the best. It helps them to learnt to use their brain and hands to accomplish their models. (Usually Dads will come in to help too! )
9. Sports Equipments and Items
Most children are active and love sports or outdoor activities. A new bicycle, roller blades set, folding scooter, skateboards, hoppers, skipping robes, play tents etc.
Remember, do not rush into last minute Christmas shopping for children by grapping what’s most visible on shelf. Do not also give in to children’s wants and desire without considering and carefully examine the content and appropriateness of the toys. Plan and list before you step into the shops to make that purchase. Toys have impact to the children’s life and safety especially when they are younger, put more thoughts when making that purchase decision.
You mentioned Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as a good DVD gift for children, and while that is a pretty good one; there’s nothing like the old classic cartoons that use to come on TV. every year, and it was something the whole family would enjoy together. I know as kid these holiday classics really put me deep into imagination land. Well, this holiday season I took a job promoting some of my family’s favorite classics that have been compiled into a special gift set called: The ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS CLASSICS. It’s a limited edition DVD box which includes: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, “Frosty the Snowman”, and “Santa Clause is Comin’ to Town”. You can get the set anywhere they sell DVDs or at http://www.christmasclassics.tv . Oh, and it includes a bonus music CD, we play it at my office and it just puts Christmas conviviality into the air. Since, I’ve been working with them I hear how this was and is the gift that keeps on giving, you can share it with any and everyone.
December 13, 2007 at 12:26 am