Do you know what you are giving to the children on you Christmas list? Will it be Harry Potter books, the latest computer games, or some new clothes?
Over the summer, I spent some time thinking about the Christmas days from my childhood. What made them special, and what did I remember most. From these thoughts came an idea for a new page on our website to let visitors share the best loved gift from their childhood.
I had expected lots of stories about the wonders of a specific toy (the Barbie with the sparkles on her dress or the remote control car the won every race). Isn't that the sort of gift hyped by the commercials at this time of the year? The kids themselves join the craze insisting on getting the one toy that is in short supply. Can you remember trying to find a Cabbage Patch doll or a Furby the year they were hot? Do you think that gift is the one your child will remember most 30 or 40 years from now?
The visitors who have sent in stories about their own 'best loved gifts' wouldn't agree. The gift that is remembered is the message of love from the adult who found the time to create a special memory for their child. Each of the stories include a 'thing', but what is important is 'where did my mom find time to make all the doll clothes?', 'I loved horseback riding with my Dad.', or 'how did my mom smile and let us open the rest of our presents at 4am'.
The gift that counts is time. The kids know time is what is important. That's why they want you to spend weeks trying to find the most difficult to buy toy this year. You will be spending your time on something they want. It's amazing that we have time to search all over the city for a toy, but so often are too busy to spend the same number of hours doing something your child wants to do. Why not turn it around this year? Spend the time with your child, instead of driving to 5 different toy stores.
Tips for finding the perfect Christmas gift for a child.
1) Think about the good times you've spent with your child. When did you both have the most fun? Was it making a cake for his mother's birthday, or the time you took her to the fair? Has your child ever mentioned a favorite day you spent together? What does he or she really like to do?
2) What can you do build on that time? You could get some cartoon character cake pans, cake mixes and a promise to make a cake on the first Saturday of each month. How about getting a book of tickets to a movie theatre and agree to go to let you child pick the movie (even if you hate going to scary movies and your child loves them)? Give a birding book to a nature lover and then take your child out bird spotting. What about lunch for two in a fancy restaurant for a little girl who likes to dress-up? A sports enthusiast would love tickets to go with you to see his or her favorite team play.
3) Don't fall into the trap of giving items off a list. Children will often be momentarily thrilled with the latest and greatest toy. If the gift involves more of your money than your time, it will probably be forgotten in the same amount of time you spent to buy it!
Yes, it will take time to think of the right gift, and it will take more time to actually follow through and enjoy the gift together. Take a moment and really think about what else you could be doing with that time. How many answers are really more important than making the time to show a child you love them?
If you looking for more ideas, check out our Best Loved Gifts page (http://www.ckah.com/remgifts.html). You may find the perfect gift idea waiting for you in a story sent in by one of our visitors.
By the way, these tips work great for your best friend, favorite aunt or anyone else you want to give a birthday, Christmas, or Hannukah gift.
The End
Christine Nicholls loves being mommy to Katherine (9y) and Duncan (6y). Her company, Creative Kids at Home (http://www.ckah.com) encourages kids to have fun while being creative, and best of all, they get the excitement of getting personally addressed packages in the mail. Check for free online library of kids crafts and activities.
Do you feel panicked, or exicted? Are you experiencing joy... Read More
For many people the end of a year is a... Read More
As a little girl I often loved to dress up... Read More
The glorious egg, with its deep links to Creation mythology,... Read More
I remember just a handful of the Christmas presents I... Read More
The carving. The leftovers. The endless stuffing. Actually, you love... Read More
Kelly was a very wealthy Hollywood actress, who was used... Read More
Happy New Year! Around the world, this is a time... Read More
There are as many as eight possible Valentines Day origins... Read More
Mother's Day is, in many countries, a day for celebrating... Read More
Family traditions connect us to past and future generations. They... Read More
To a large extent the holidays have come to be... Read More
Father's Day should not be the only day that we... Read More
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the... Read More
Are you bored with the routine of city life? Do... Read More
Choosing gifts for any animal lovers can be quite a... Read More
Of all the holidays throughout the year, the Fourth of... Read More
Have the holidays become too commercial for you? Are you... Read More
Now that the biggest shopping season of the year is... Read More
Tired of the same old typical Halloween costumes. You know... Read More
Sure you decorate your fireplace and mantel for the winter... Read More
When searching for Angel Costumes, there are so many choices... Read More
Santa Claus Is ComingHoliday season brings the perennial return of... Read More
The holiday season is upon us! It is a time... Read More
Maybe your significant other is overseas in the military. Maybe... Read More
Few things are more thrilling for a trick-or-treater than walking... Read More
1. Keep a stack of directions TO your place for... Read More
The first known birthday celebrations began among the Egyptians with... Read More
Halloween is such a fun time of year for kids... Read More
Have you always dreamed of a Norman Rockwell Christmas -... Read More
Well, it's almost that time of year again ? the... Read More
Infidelity is at an all time high. According to the... Read More
Every year we search our brains for a unique, exciting... Read More
Creating a gift closet is a wonderful way to plan... Read More
Christmas is a magical time of year, especially for those... Read More
One of my fondest childhood memories is of my mother... Read More
Ho, Ho, Ho, Holiday greetings to you!Every year at this... Read More
"This year will be different. I vow I won't get... Read More
The kindergarten class I was teaching was scheduled to perform... Read More
It is 7:45 a.m. in Port Moody, British Columbia Canada,... Read More
My good friend, Rae, just called and suggested having a... Read More
Looking for interesting Halloween ideas? Perhaps you are looking for... Read More
"Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell... Read More
Gazing the wide stretched blue carpet, with blows of zephyrs... Read More
There she was in all her glory. Long white lab... Read More
Mother's Day is, in many countries, a day for celebrating... Read More
The last Monday of May since 1868, has been designated... Read More
How Does Santa Make Out His List?I'll let you in... Read More
It is never too soon to begin planning the perfect... Read More
If you are like me and are a very lousy... Read More
To a large extent the holidays have come to be... Read More
Things have come a long way since a Christmas ornament... Read More
Close your eyes and remember December, the smell of cinnamon... Read More
One of the tools I use as a professional organizer... Read More
Valentines Day is one of the most enigmatic of holidays,... Read More
Some of my clients dread the holiday season because it... Read More
When it comes to holiday greeting cards, to send or... Read More
"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!" If... Read More
Thirteen years ago I became quite intrigued with the idea... Read More
The holidays are supposed to be a time of celebration... Read More
Every year we go through the same process of making... Read More
Halloween is an exciting night for children and a busy... Read More
As the countdown to Christmas day continues, most everyone is... Read More
Halloween is the day of the year that has the... Read More
When searching for Angel Costumes, there are so many choices... Read More
Do you know what you are giving to the children... Read More
Holiday |