| What do you do when you really don't have any | | | | I was very stumped for ideas. I actually went to |
| gift ideas for the kids in your life? Aside from | | | | one of those "has everything stores" and bought |
| knowing the age and sex of the child, try to talk | | | | a $5.00 plastic airplane that allowed the child |
| to the adult in the household. Ask questions that | | | | through it up in the air to make it fly. Perfect for |
| don't prompt a yes or no answer. This will give | | | | an active child of about 7 years. The toy was a |
| you more information about what gifts would be | | | | hit even though it was the cheapest toy on the |
| appropriate. A few good questions to ask are | | | | present pile. |
| below: | | | | My point is, that an expensive gift is not always |
| - Does the child have any game systems or toys | | | | the best gift, so do your wallet a favor and don't |
| that need cartridges and what are they? (This is | | | | go over budget unless you find something you |
| a good one because the answer is almost always | | | | know the child will absolutely love. Children don't |
| a gift idea) | | | | care how much a gift costs as long as it's |
| - Does the child have any hobbies or a favorite | | | | entertaining and fun. |
| interest? (An interest in flight or a specific animal | | | | Another idea is an art pack. These can be |
| can be a great start) | | | | inexpensive and come in all shapes and sizes. |
| - Does the child like puzzles or games? What age | | | | There are several directions you can go with this |
| range is appropriate? (Just because a child is a | | | | one. You can always purchase a reusable box and |
| specific age does not mean they are mentally | | | | fill it with a multitude of art supplies, or you can |
| ready for that specific age group. Allow the | | | | try a pre-packaged project. Some examples of |
| parent to make this decision so you can avoid | | | | these pre-packaged projects are kids jewelry |
| any permission issues or embarrassing situations.) | | | | making kits or how-to book and the supplies |
| - Ask parents if they would prefer any special | | | | needed. If the gift is for an older child you could |
| gifts like money for college or a donation to a | | | | try a model like a plane, car or boat. These come |
| particular savings account for the child's | | | | in snap or glue together kits. |
| future?(Sometimes in this day in age kids have | | | | You can find these online with a simple search or |
| more "stuff" than they know what to do with so | | | | in a specialty hobby shop in your area. If the |
| make sure that another "thing" will be welcome in | | | | project can be completed in a group consider |
| the house.) | | | | giving enough supplies for the child and a friend or |
| Assuming that these answers don't get your | | | | parent. What makes this gift so great is that it |
| creative juices flowing consider an inexpensive fun | | | | can help development and get them away from |
| gift. For example: I had to buy a gift once for a | | | | the video game and the TV. Another good point |
| child whose parents had LOTS of money. They | | | | about this is that you probably won't ever repeat |
| kid had more than he knew what to do with, so, | | | | a gift. Kids and parents will thank you. |