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