If you have kids, you know almost all there is to know about them—which makes gift-shopping a breeze. When it comes to other people’s children, though (especially if you do not have kids yourself), this is not always the case. Some people know their nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and friend’s children intimately, but how do you shop for your sister’s kid who lives across the country that you haven’t seen in years? How do you buy a present for your child’s friend because they were entered in Secret Santa drawings and the burden inevitably falls upon you? You don’t want to gift something that the child will not love, so here are a few tips for shopping for children you don’t know very well:
Get to know them
The obvious solution is to get to know them, especially if the child is a family member or friend you probably should know better. If this is a one-time present, you can ask the person linking the two of you, but it’s wise—and kind—to spend time with a child who wants to get to know you, too. Even if it’s via video chat or social media, talk to them about their likes, dislikes, hobbies, and more.
Many people depend on gendered products when purchasing gifts because they assume boys and girls like the concepts most commonly associated with them. This form of gift-giving is not only problematic, though; it’s lazy. Do not take the supposedly safe route and bank on a girl liking a babydoll because she’s a girl—getting to know what her actual interests are will make sure she loves your present and win you major points with her.
Ask their parents for ideas
It never hurts to speak to the child’s parents, of course. They are excellent resources to turn to if you do not know the child well, but it might also be appropriate to run ideas by them in case they need to veto something. Whatever present you give will ultimately end up in their house, so the parents might not be excited about a noisy product or something that contradicts their parenting choices.
Keep in mind age-appropriate gifts, too. Some children are indeed more mature than others, so before you shop at places like Target or Jizels, consult the child’s parents about what they think their child is capable of handling and will legitimately enjoy. Parents of children with disabilities will also appreciate you giving something tailored to their child’s needs.
Go for fandom
Some of the best gifts are fandom-related. If you are unfamiliar with the word, “fandom” refers to a group of fans passionate about a particular subject—such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, Pokemon, superheroes, or other popular films, television series, and books. Maybe they’re a big Marvel fan, you can get them a Marvel Kimoyo bead bracelet from Black Panther, a Baby Groot figurine, a replica of Thanos’ gauntlet, and many more. Children often love merchandise that makes them feel closer to their favorite stories and characters. Sports teams arguably count as fandoms, too, so buying a jersey with the same number as their favorite soccer player could be a good way to go.
Go for experiences
Instead of gifting a physical item, you might opt for an experience-oriented present. Tickets to events, museums, zoos, aquariums, arcades, laser tag, the cinema, escape rooms, or indoor trampoline gyms are all possible options. Experience-gifts are less likely to be thrown out in a few years (or months), but they do result in memories that can last a lifetime.
Experience-gifts are also opportunities for you to spend time with the child (or someone else, like their own parents). Maybe you can have fun painting pottery together or attending a concert. When you give experiences, you broaden the recipients’ horizons while also giving the invaluable gift of time.
Inspire a new interest
Using your best judgment, you can also use this upcoming birthday or holiday to inspire a new interest in a child. Maybe you remember a time when you were five years old and expressed no interest in science, but it was that one chemistry set your mother’s best friend gave you that instilled in you a passion for experimentation that set the course of your career. Perhaps you had no predisposition for art, but someone giving you a set of watercolor paints made you fall in love with it. This opportunity might be yours to foster a new passion in a child who has not been exposed to a particular subject yet.
Giving the right gift to a child you do not know very well can be tricky, but you have multiple opportunities before you: the chance to get to know the child better, to instill a new interest in them, and to give them something they will cherish. What are you planning on giving the kids in your life for their next birthday or holiday?
