Birthdays
Gone are the days of sending a $1 note in the mail inside a card to the grandchildren. (At least that’s what my Nana sent to me.) Getting the right gift for each stage of development, as well as being in the ‘know’ about the latest fad, is always challenging.
It’s the cheap and cheerful gifts which are often be the best and most memorable. Given from the heart – homemade cupcakes, a pack of playing cards, framed photos, a trip to the zoo or giving them your favourite doll might mean more than spending a lot of money.There are classic presents which we all remember (and possibly still have somewhere in the cupboard) – Monopoly, Tonka trucks, diaries with locks, photo albums, the set of Dr Seuss books.
Best sellers and latest thing in toys, games, fashion, etc can change year to year and are often (but not always) influenced by recent movie releases or television shows, celebrities, and technology advances. The fads come and go. Remember hula hoops, yo yos, Chinese skippy, Strawberry Shortcake, ALF (Alien Life Form), scooters, and Barbie. Some have been recycled or reinvented over time – Transformers, Spiderman, Superman, Batman, scooters and Barbie.
Sometimes we strike it lucky and give or receive the extraordinarily thoughtful or indulgent present. The piano for the gifted musician, the new pair of football shoes for the budding soccer star, repairing the favourite teddy bear, paying for a semester of dancing classes when mum and dad are finding it difficult to keep up with the payments, or surprising the high school student with the very formal dress she had decided was perfect but too expensive.
Whatever the gift you give the most important element and the most lasting is the gift of love that goes with it.
Our suggestions for gifts will just that, suggestions. Children develop at different rates. Older children start to develop their talents and interests – in sport, music, art, dance, academia, technology and more – and become fussier and expect more. Our goal is to continually expand and revised our lists of gift ideas and suppliers so that you have a handy source for inspired gift giving without open the millions of options which result from a search for “gifts for children”.
Nana Lizzie’s Suggestion – when in doubt buy a size bigger in clothes and a little older in toys and books. They can always grow into clothes and toys. Avoid buying shoes without the child – good shoes need professional fitting. Think twice before buying pets – you (and probably the pet) might regret it!
Information about the stages of children’s development is available at a number of websites. Kids Growth has a great deal of helpful information on physical and mental development milestones, health, sleep, and discipline. (Note; World’s Best Grandmother provides links as information only and doesn’t necessarily endorse the content or products).
