Christmas Gifts for Kids

Ideas and Resources

Toy stores aren't much help - they offer endless variety, but it's hard to know what is appropriate for an individual child.

Parents have a particularly hard time because they want to get little Johnnie everything on his list, but they also want him to learn new things, be interested in the gift for longer than five minutes, and have a limited budget to work with.

This page might not solve all the decision making difficulties, but buying Christmas gifts for kids doesn't have to be a shot in the dark!

Always remember (even if you're not doing clothing) to be sure to purchase in a store that the parents can get to. When I lived in Idaho, my dear Aunt got me a gift card to target. There are no Target stores in Idaho, and at the time you couldn't use gift cards online. She wasted her $25.

Another point to remember about Christmas gifts for kids - no matter their age - is to always be sure to include a gift receipt, even if it's in a card to the parents. That way, if they've gotten way too many of the same item, or it still doesn't fit, they can exchange it for something they need.

If you are still not sure what to get as a baby gift, here are a couple of generic thoughts for you:

Gift certificates allow the parents to choose what actual gift you will give their child. It sounds impersonal, however, it is actually quite thoughtful. If the baby has received more gifts than it could possibly become interested in, the parents can also use a gift certificate for something they need.

I have put buttons and banners on this page to directly access some of my favorite items and places to shop for Christmas gifts for kids. For special holiday promotions, check back at the bottom of this page often - they will change frequently throughout the year, but almost daily between Thanksgiving and Christmas!

**Please note that if you click on a link, button or banner, chances are you will be leaving the site. I have tried to put in only links in that will open in new windows, but this is not always possible.

Be sure to bookmark this site so that you can get back here easily!

I find babies rather easy to buy for. Shopping for Christmas gifts for kids this age is a blast! It's pretty safe to buy clothing, and the clothes offered in stores and catalogs is usually already geared to boys or girls.

One thing that most parents appreciate when you buy clothing for their babies is if you get 1 to 2 sizes larger than what you think they should be wearing.

For instance - if the baby in question is 6 months old, buy clothing in the 9 or 12 month sizes. First, you will be considered one of the more thoughtful Santas - mainly because most people buy for the age, rather than the actual size of the child. Some robust babies are in 12 month sizes as early as 3 months of age. Always go for the larger size.

Baby gifts can also be toys. Children who cannot yet crawl will need things to hold in their little hands. Bright colors are always nice - especially primary (blue, yellow, red) and secondary (green, orange, purple) colors. These are the first colors that babies learn to recognize, and to call by name.

Toys like rattles and teething rings are appropriate as well. Not only will they help with fine motor skills, but they are inexpensive enough to give a small assortment. Babies might not be wise to the ways of the world, but they do know what they do and don't like.

Stuffed animals are another option that make wonderful Christmas gifts for kids - but watch for attachments like ears, tails, noses and any collars etc. Do not get small children stuffed toys that have anything that could be pulled off. Any child under the age of about 3 will put them in his or her mouth. Just a fact of life it will happen. Once they have teeth, anything that goes in the mouth will eventually be detached from its original object. Also a fact of life.

Toys made of wood and plastic are much preferable to metal.

For ease of use, great prices, super sales and availability, nobody can beat Wal-mart for Christmas gifts for kids. Their baby department is great, and at least around our area has the best prices on everything from bottles to baby food. Check out Walmart.com for some great ideas for all the children on your list!

Another place to visit that has perfect Christmas gifts for kids and babies is the babycenter.com!

They have a wide selection of toys, clothing and other essentials for babies and small children. Maternity gifts and great items for new parents are also stopping points on this site. They also offer free shipping on orders over $75.00!

As children get older, the big thing to remember about christmas gifts for kids is that they are easily bored. There is just no substitute for good old-fashioned excitement, especially in this age group. If you can find something that will keep these little ones occupied, Mom and Dad will be forever in your debt.

As toddlers, boys and girls begin to differ in the types of toys they are wanting. One thing remains the same, however. They want something to do!! There are some great Christmas gifts for kids this age that would work for boys or girls, though - and I would give them some serious consideration.

They don't make a lot of noise, they are fun and interactive, and they are NOT attached to a television or computer screen!

This is also the age where I start considering books as great Christmas gifts for kids. Many toy shops sell board books and textural books for children this age. They find them fun and interesting, and parents love them!

This is the age group of the budding sports freaks and social butterflies! I think buying Christmas gifts for kids of this age group is the most fun part of my holiday shopping. There are still so many toys and games around that I remember from my own childhood! Shopping like this can take me hours.

These kids are all energy all the time. They know what they like. They know what they want. But, they are all about surprises - the more the merrier! While they have their set opinions on things, kids this age love whatever is new and exciting. Their bodies have finally caught up with their curiosity, and just about anything you buy for them will make them happy.

Beware the super-noise-makers with this crowd - these are the children who would love a karaoke machine, Mr. Microphone®, and such like. They love MP3 players, Nintendo® and all things gadget-like. Unless it is your child, these things generally do not make good Christmas gifts for kids. Leave those gifts for Auntie Mame and Mom and Dad. There is a wonderful selection of great Christmas gifts for kids of this age.

Clothing for school aged kids is always appreciated by parents. They are growing so fast it's hard to keep up. I suggest, though, that clothing purchased as Christmas gifts for kids this age be something their parents might not have in their own budget.

It doesn't take much to get kids this age to open up about their favorite topics. Why not get that favorite grandson a t-shirt from his favorite sports team? Nieces love talking about stuff - get her to tell you about her favorite hobby... maybe a nice horse-head necklace, a charm bracelet, or a t-shirt from her favorite team?

When shopping for teens, remember they are nearly adults - but not quite yet. They can be picky, so I usually get children of this age things like videos and CDs. One of the best sources I've found for just about any sort of music you can think of is the Sony Music Store.

They offer a truly huge selection of music at reasonable prices, and they have some great sales during the holidays. Music always makes for great Christmas gifts for kids.

I don't venture into the darker waters of clothing or accessories if I don't spend a lot of time with them. And I stay away from most other forms of entertainment.

Items for school are boring to these kids, and practical presents just aren't what they are looking for. If I know they like to read a certain genre of book I might do that, but I really try to stay away from boring.

There are two places online that I shop for books. Both offer great prices, both offer free shipping with a certain dollar amount of purchase, and both stock just about any title you could ever want.

Everyone knows about Amazon.com.

They have a lot more to offer than simply books, too! There are all sorts of things from videos to music, and everything in between. My only problem with Amazon is that if you choose to get used books, and you order from different sellers, you will pay through the nose for the shipping.

If you stick with ordering strictly through Amazon, or if you only order from one seller, you can usually get a good deal on the shipping. If your order for Amazon is $75.00 or more, they will give you free shipping, but you pay their full price on the books.

An alternative to this is abebooks.com.

They offer millions of titles, and has free shipping on just about any order. They are definitely my first stop when I need books for any occasion - especially when I'm running close to my budget! You can click on their 'free shipping' box, and search for your titles or authors to get all the items that offer free shipping. Much simpler, and much more direct.

I'm not big on giving kids this age gift cards. They tend to come home with items that Mom and Dad don't appreciate - and I don't want to be responsible for that!!

At times I have sent checks. Most teenagers can't cash them on their own yet, unless they are old enough to have their own checking or savings account (in which case, they are old enough to choose what to do with the money anyway). That way, their parents know how much they've received, and have better, if little control over how it is spent.

My own daughter always had a savings account. (In fact, I started it for her as soon as I knew I was pregnant!) Whenever she got money for birthdays, Christmas or other occasions, she would always deposit half and spend half. There is no harm in sending money to children like this, and as I said, if you send a check instead of cash, it allows Mom and Dad the chance to help their child make a good decision about what to do with it.

Take a look at some of the sites below to check out their latest great offers, sales and promotions!