Holiday time is also gift-giving time, especially for children. Buying presents for everyone in the family can stretch your budget to the limit, if you’re not careful. Deciding what to buy for all of those kids — your own, nieces and nephews, grandchildren — is a challenge when you’re not only trying to get the most from every dollar, but also trying to give a gift that has the individual in mind. But it can be done! Here are some thoughtful and fun ideas that will make every child — from toddlers to teens — feel special and save you some money as well.
Gift baskets
While we often think of gift baskets as for adults, they are enjoyed by kids, too. And if you put them together yourself, you can save money while creating a customized present that says, “You’re important to me.” A gift basket is as fun to make as it is to give. Start with a container to hold your gifts in. This can — but doesn’t have to — be a basket. You can use wicker baskets; storage containers; a large, colorful bowl; a plastic bucket; or even an upside-down cowboy hat. They can be filled inexpensively with items from the local dollar store, with homemade treats or even thrift store finds. Most retail stores sell the cellophane wrappers you see around gift baskets. Just slip yours in, tie it off with a colorful ribbon and — voila! — a beautiful gift.
Here are some fun themes for kids’ gift baskets:
• Artsy gift basket — This theme is just right for the child who likes crafts or creating in any form. For those who like to draw, include colored and drawing pencils, a pad of paper, erasers and an instruction book. For younger kids, anything that lets them be creative works — paint sets, coloring books, crayons, safety scissors and glue sticks. Add whimsical items like glitter glue, stickers, construction paper and foam cut-outs.
• For the sporty type — A gift basket for the sports enthusiast is easy to make and can be created for any type of athletic activity. It might be a soccer, swimming, football or golf theme. You can also create a gift basket around her favorite sports team, if she enjoys that, but doesn’t actually play sports. Products that work well in this type of basket are mugs, sports bottles, hats, pencils, a rolled up sweatshirt or gym shorts with a team logo.
• Just for girls — These gift baskets are perfect for when your child needs a present for someone you may not know very well. Kids especially enjoy shopping for their friends or cousins and the dollar stores are perfect for this. You can use a pretty wire basket or even a small plastic bin that you can personalize with permanent markers. Fill with toiletries such as shampoo, bubble bath and body wash, or whimsies such as barrettes, inexpensive jewelry, a small stuffed animal or lip gloss.
• For the guys — Just like a basket for the girls, this is a quick-and-easy gift idea for friends. A mini crate works great as a “basket.” Toss in some toy cars, squirt guns, army men, small model kits or an inexpensive, hand-held electronic game, and you are ready to go.
Personalize it!
Kids love anything that has their name on it or tells the world who they are, such as shorts that say “Big Sister” or “Favorite Niece.” You can purchase items like this easily through many local stores or over the Internet, or you can consider making them yourself. Beach towels, mugs, dinnerware, name plaques, shirts and wall hangings can all be personalized with a child’s name. Teens especially enjoy shirts, purses, jewelry and other items that have their names or initials on them. Local embroidery and T-shirt shops are affordable, and china markers and fabric paint make decorating on your own easy.
The teenage crowd
Teens can be tough customers to buy for without breaking the bank, but it is possible. Gift cards for this age are a foolproof idea. Get one to his favorite book or music store, sporting goods emporium or game shop. Put the gift card in a cute mug with a candy bar, and you have a simple-but-sweet surprise. Gift certificates to fast food restaurants are always a perfect idea for any teen; after all, eating is what they do best! Or fill a gift bag with a DVD, microwave popcorn and a two-liter of pop. Teens are often easier to please than we think they are.
Get creative
With a little ingenuity and planning, you can shop for kids without going broke. Just like older folks, kids enjoy gifts that say you thought about them and let them know they are special.
