Thinking of what Christmas toys to give your kids this early is actually a good practical strategy. As what usually happens, you may end up frustrated when deciding on it during the thick of the season. Either you get discards or also-runs or none at all because what you had in mind are out of stock.
The actual choices can sometimes be easy, especially if your kids are not shy in telling you what they want. Or, make that clause “insistent enough”. Whether you are sure or not of what you will give, you still need to weigh down some practical pointers to get the best.
The Spirit of Giving
Like some of the other Christian traditions that had been adopted by many other societies, Christmas still means many things. Gift-giving is one revered ritual that is still around because one universal human spirit lives on: that of giving.
Whether Christians or not, the parents giving toys to the kids in time for Christmas should hopefully still have that spirit. The main intention, of course, is making the receiver happy through the gift. Tempered with all the practical considerations, the happiness quotient is still the main objective.
Age Appropriate
In this day and age, there are thousands of categories for toys. There might be some confusion because nowadays some toys (and games, mostly digital) attract both kids and adults. Somewhere along the way, the lines had been successfully blurred by manufacturers who want to capture both markets.
This is not much of a problem for really young children whose preferences have not yet been fully infiltrated by toy marketers. Older children, however, are easily moved by what they see around them: movies, TV, and the Internet. Get the child’s other interests (sports, the arts, music, etc.) and divert their attention with toys along these lines.
Safety Factor
Choosing what Christmas toys to give your children measured on the safety factor scale is not that difficult nowadays. Most manufacturers have thankfully lent a helping hand on these with regards the manufacturing processes, the materials used, and final precaution reminders on the product themselves.
Still, jigsaw puzzles and other toys and games with many small pieces should not be left alone with two-year-olds who might have ideas that they taste better than what they are supposed to do. Sporting toys (soccer, basketball, baseball, etc. and their equipments) have to be weighed against accidents and the like. Bicycling without helmets and pads is still a no-no especially if your kid is not that skilled yet.
Value Formation
Child psychologists assert that toys are the child’s introduction to the world and are vital in preparing them into the adult world later. Their first experiences with toys may last all their lives and provide them with the necessary emotional, mental, and psychological anchors later on.
For older children whose interests are already obvious, a real musical instrument can be a good start to those who are musically-inclined. Art materials and lessons for the artistically-gifted child are really invaluable. The right Christmas toys for each kid can be priceless.
Kids' Toys Corner 