About Sweetmama Editor
Nadine Silverthorne’s love of journaling began in Grade One with the entry, “I am the greatest dancer!” Two babies (and countless diaper changes) later, she has found her home away from home as editor of SweetMama. Don’t miss her humorous bi-weekly accounts of the joys and pains of working while raising them fabulous.
Gifts for kids affect the whole family. Noisy ones can make everybody insane. Useful ones can keep kids busy while Mom checks her Facebook chores get done around the house.
Gift givers are expecting one of two outcomes from their chosen present:
1) The kid's mind is completely blown. (See this YouTube video for the reaction you're going for. I'll wait...)
2) The parents are thrilled to get a present that is actually useful and doesn't require batteries.
If you're going for Option 1, see our incredible Toy and Gift Guide. If you're going for Option 2, here are my five favourite gift suggestions.
1. Memberships
Taking a family of four to the museum, art gallery, play place or zoo can cost upwards of $100 for one visit. Annual memberships often cost about the same and give families the flexibility to go whenever the weather is bad and/or cabin fever sets in. We use our Ontario Science Centre membership quite regularly (it's a life-saver on rainy days) and past memberships to the Royal Ontario Museum and Toronto Zoo were also well-used.
2. Art Supplies
Your kid or grandkid is probably not a prolific painter like Picasso yet. Regardless, having a seemingly never-ending supply of non-toxic crayons, markers and paints is important to child development. Loading up on paper and canvasses can be done at the dollar store these days. Want to take it a step up? Get them an amazing easel (preferably a two-sided one so siblings don't fight).
3. Books
Bedtime stories are part of the nightly ritual of most families. Help mom out. She's read the same book 341 times this year. Refreshing a library with new age-appropriate titles is an act of kindness. The staff at independent bookstores and in the kids' sections of Indigo locations are super knowledgeable and can help with title selection, so don't be daunted by the towers of books staring you down. Ask for help.
4. Magazine Subscriptions
When I was pregnant, someone gave me a subscription to Today's Parent. It was just the kind of thing I wouldn't have chosen for myself, but so appreciated getting. A couple years ago, my mother-in-law gave my son a Chirp (age 3-6) subscription for Christmas. It delights him every month when it arrives in the mail and we spend a whole month memorizing the jokes or working on the crafts. This year he's graduating to Chickadee (age 6-9) and I just love the entire Owl Kids lineup.
5. Bedding
Possibly the most over-looked category when it comes to gifts, although everyone loves a good night's sleep on crisp new sheets. Little kids pee, a lot. Sheets in my house are washed several times a week. Mattress covers and other necessary extravagances would make lovely, yet practical, gifts. My little girl is asking for princess bedding and I love this set at Wish Bedding that gives the princess stuff a modern, graphic feel.
Runner-ups: I find clothing and music too personal when it comes to taste, but I'd still prefer them to a toy that will lose its appeal after a week.
What about you? What do gifts do you like to see for your kids under the tree? Do you prefer practical gifts or is seeing the kids' faces light up the big motivator in your gift-buying?