Gift Ideas for Children

Looking for Christmas gift ideas for your children? Trying to avoid the materialism that creeps in at Christmastime? If you have your heart set on giving meaningful gifts, useful gifts with staying power, maybe one of these ideas will spark your own creativity as you choose Christmas gifts for your children this year.

• Tools vs. toys.  What tools could they use in their every day living? Low-end digital cameras are very reasonable and usually come with helpful software. Or how about bookmarks, craft supplies, a stapler, an electronic dictionary, fishing tackle, or desktop publishing software?  The list is endless.
• Books. This is sort of obvious for most homeschool families.  Book gifts can be special books from the family book list, another book in a favorite series, a special version of a literary favorite, a how-to book on your child’s interest or classics that will remain with his own personal library.
• Feed an interest. Whether your child’s current interest is bugs, horses, rockets, dolls, birds, poultry or stamp collecting, a gift of books, kits and supplies at Christmas will help him develop his interests. Ideas for many interests and hobbies can be found at homeschool companies such as Timberdoodle, and Nature’s Workshop Plus.
• Time. For many families the holiday season becomes a rush from one event to another and long days where the family gets to bed much later than usual. Sometimes our children get lost in the shuffle. By deliberately setting aside special family time to enjoy a Christmas movie, drink hot chocolate, play board games or simply enjoy each other’s company, you can give the special gift of your time and share the season.  To make this gift even more special, print out a coupon your child can redeem for together-time when the two of you can share his favorite activity.
• A family gift to charity. Many charities have special drives at Christmastime. Giving the gift of giving as a family at Christmas will be a loving reminder to your children of what the season is really about.
• Special memento. Give your children a special keepsake that reflects their interests and personality. It could be handmade or store bought. It could be an ornament for the tree, a cherished Christmas decoration, or a permanent addition to their room’s decor. A thoughtful keepsake lets them know how special they are to you!