Whilst toddlers may not fully understand the meaning behind Christmas, the holiday season is still an exciting time for them. Fun decorations, Christmas music, family visits, tonnes of attention and of course presents, definitely make this a time of year little ones thoroughly enjoy
Buying a present for a toddler can be quite tricky. Children this age are very hard to predict, whilst one might love a cuddly bear, another might not even give it a second look. A fun and simple toy is always a good idea that doesnโt cost you too much. Make sure itโs not too noisy and thereโs no small parts before buying them though. At 1-3 years, children are also starting to explore and walk around the family home. A sit on vehicle or toy stroller they can push around is definitely something theyโll enjoy, although items like that can cost you a lot of money. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales that will help you save big!
As any parent knows, buying clothes for a child is frustrating as they constantly grow out of their outfits and stain them. Be sure to ask parents what size and items they need most. Pajamas are always a good choice since those get worn out the fastest.
When buying clothes, bright and colorful pieces are sure to please the child. At Christmas time, winter accessories like hats, mittens and scarves will always be welcome too. If youโre buying ahead for the Spring or Summer time, make sure to take into account the age of the child and how they might have grown by then. If youโre tight on cash, consignment stores such as Swap.com offer premium brand childrenโs clothes at a discounted rate, as long as you donโt mind buying and gifting second hand clothes!
Babies are easy to buy for! They are most likely already content playing with 2-3 toys which theyโll probably already own, so clothes can be a great present that most parents will thank you for. (Diapers are always appreciated too!)
If youโre shopping for your own child, a similar item to one they already own and enjoy is a good way to go. If youโre child is quiet and thoughtful, a coloring book or puzzle is a good choice. If your child is quite hyperactive (arenโt they all?) a scooter, train set or musical instrument can be really fun for them. This could also be the time to kick start your childโs learning.If your child is under a year old, you might want to consider something educational like Baby Sign Language that lets babies, as young as six months old, communicate their needs so they don’t need to cry.
Your baby will learn how to tell you:
- When they are hungry, want more, or are all done
- If they are too cold or too hot
- Or that they just need a hug
Never again be helpless at 2 a.m., trying to guess what a sobbing baby wants.
However, like we said before, buying for children can be really unpredictable so always make sure to keep the receipts just in case. Whatever you go for, donโt worry too much. The holiday season is a wonderful time of year that you should always make the most of!
Be sure to remind your children the real reason for the season so they can learn to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas rather than just thinking it’s all about the presents. If they know what Christmas is really about, they will be much more appreciative of the presents that they DO receive.