Christmas is a busy and bustling time of year, full of baking, decorating and gift ideas. Every year, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, brothers and sisters all wonder, "What is a cool gift to buy for a child?". Understanding what the child likes and then finding a toy they don't already have can be hard and usually requires a few conversations with their caregivers to ensure your gift will be well-received and won't have to be exchanged.
Best Toys to Buy a Child for a Christmas Present
There are so many neat and unique toys on the market, that is can be very hard making a decision on what to buy the child on your Christmas list. Each store will come up with their own list of favorite and most popular toy products to give you some ideas. The problem though, with the more popular toys, is that the child may get that gift from someone else, or it may sell out of stock before you can buy it. Be sure to go to the stores earlier to avoid disappointment.
Below is a list of the top 12 toys for Christmas this year:
- Toy Story 3 Talking Action Figures: These characters are back and still in the best selling category. Choose from action figures of Buzz, Woody, Cowgirl Jessie or a wide array of videos, bedding, books and other games from Toy Story 3.
- Video Girl Barbie: This Barbie has a video camera installed with a viewfinder on her front and monitor on her back. Children can use Barbie to record their own videos.
- Rock Out Paper Jamz Guitar: This guitar is paper thin and plays pre-recorded songs and allows the user to create their own tunes. Accessorize with guitar straps and amplifiers and ad to the band with drums too.
- Kung Zhu Collectible Pets: These collectible toy hamsters can be equipped in ninja warrior and special forces armor. They are pre-loaded with actions and sayings and will fight for victory in their armored vehicles.
- Lego Games: And Lego makes it to the top selling list again. More than just building, Lego games like Minotaur, create a maze-like battleground made out of legos and includes warrior figures to play the game.
- Thomas and Friends: This fun mini-sized train station has a Thomas the train that slides along the the tracks of the station.
- Zoobles Collectible Tin: These unique looking figures come in their own special collectors tin. Each tin contains three exclusive Zoobles and can carry your current Zoobles, too.
- Beyblade: The action game Beyblade is getting stronger with this Metal Fusion Battle Top. Assemble and tweak to perfection to defeat your opponent.
- Furreal Friends: This plush and electronic puppy makes some cute sounds and will walk along with your child on their own puppy leash. He also wags his tail.
- V.Reader Animated E-book System: Learning to read is funner than ever with this electronic book reader. Interactive and designed for kids up to ages seven, this V.Reader teaches the basics of reading in a fun setting.
- Moon Dough Magic Barnyard: Soft, light and ready to be molded, Moon Dough just needs your child's imagination and creativity to be formed into fun shapes and characters. It never dries out, is wheat-free and hypoallergenic. Comes with barnyard scene for hours of fun.
- Matchbox Stinky The Garbage Truck: This truck transforms into a stand-up vehicle that can talk, tell jokes, eat, exercise, sing and be very interactive with your child.
Other Great Gift Ideas for Christmas and Holiday Shopping
Books and interactive game are always a good seller, as are the traditional building blocks that require a little bit of creativity and imagination. Find out what children are interested in and don't be afraid to challenge their interests. If they have never had a toy guitar or musical instrument, perhaps now is a good time to introduce them to one.
It's always nice to give a gift that you know will be well-received by someone, but by giving them something they have never used before, you are opening the doors in their mind and allowing them experience something new.
How to Make Sure the Gift You Buy Will be Liked
In short, you can't. Kids change their minds and preferences quite often and even a toy theme they used to love can become obsolete overnight. Be sure to ask for a gift receipt in case they already have that particular toy. In general though, so long as a toy requires imagination, kids will often find a use for it.
Giving Gift Cards or Gift Certificates as Gifts to Kids
While some people think getting a gift card is the easy way out and lacks imagination in trying to find a gift for a child, there are some major perks to giving gift cards to children for Christmas or birthdays.
- The child can get what they want and be happy with the gift.
- No chance of getting the same item they already have.
- They learn about the value of an item. A $ 50 gift card can only buy so much, thus teaching them the value of money.
- Decision-making skills: By choosing their own product, they are forced to make decisions on what they can afford to get.
- The fun of shopping: Using a gift card, children can enjoy a day of shopping and deciding on what they would like.
- Ownership: Just like buying something with their own money, they choose that item and will want to take care of it more since they put so much effort into getting it.
Whatever gift you decide to buy for the child on your shopping list, it's sure to be a hit. If you are not sure, include the gift receipt, especially if it's a popular toy and there's a chance the child may get it as a gift from someone else.
Tamara Laschinsky - Health and wellness advocate, author, researcher and owner of Natural e GREEN: Natural Health & Wellness store!
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