The Right Gifts for Christmas

For weeks now, gingerbread has been on the shelves in supermarkets, reminding us that the Christmas season is approaching. And with it comes the annual gift-giving frenzy. Many adults nowadays want to do away with the obligation to give gifts and see Christmas again as a family celebration. But for children, the gift exchange is still the highlight among all the beautiful Christmas rituals. We were once children too and can still vividly remember the magic and anticipation. It is precisely this excitement and happiness when unwrapping gifts that we definitely want to give our children. But which gifts are the right ones, and above all, what is the right amount?

Children Have Many Wishes

Children have many wishes. They see many things in shop windows, advertisements, and at friends’ houses that they absolutely want. And that is perfectly fine. Children should be allowed to wish for anything without limits. However, learning that you cannot have everything you wish for is an important lesson for the little ones. Parents can’t start teaching this early enough. Especially in the run-up to Christmas, it’s easy to explain to children that not everything can be bought. But if they really want something, they can of course write a wish list. Maybe the Christ Child or Santa Claus will bring the gift.

The Gift Wish List

The feeling of longing a child experiences while eagerly awaiting Christmas Eve, caught between hope and anxiety, can be very inspiring for them. Often, the desired toy is first recreated or played with purely in their imagination. When a child goes through this longing, they can appreciate the fulfillment of their wish all the more and value the gift especially highly. If the child cannot write yet, parents can encourage them to draw or craft the wish list. This often reveals a prioritization: which gift does my child really want, and which wish might just have been picked up from someone else. This clarifies the priorities and often makes the decision easier for the adults.

The Right Gifts

Often, besides the parents, the entire extended family wants to contribute to the gifts. It is not uncommon for a preschooler’s room to be almost overflowing with toys, and you actually “already have everything.” This makes it increasingly difficult to find meaningful and age-appropriate gifts. That’s why it’s better to pay attention early on to giving meaningful gifts. When giving and receiving gifts, it should really be about recognizing value. The biggest and most expensive gift does not automatically have the greatest value for a child. Adults should not convey this message either. Relatives often try to outdo each other by getting the biggest gift. The purpose and meaning of the right gift for children is completely lost in this. Instead of giving a one-year-old a balance bike, the child’s wishes, as well as the sense and age-appropriate usability, should be the focus.

Sustainable and Age-Appropriate Gifts from howa

Of course, Christmas gifts should not only consist of toys. Even seemingly obvious things like clothing or books should be under the tree. When choosing the right toys, the promotion of the child’s intellectual development should be even more important. A one-year-old child needs and wants different toys than a three- or five-year-old. For the very young, gifts that promote motor skills or the senses are suitable, such as the motor skills cube or the "Musicbox" from howa. For older children, role-playing games become interesting over time, which can be enjoyed in a play store or a play kitchen. Parents should choose gifts carefully given the many wishes their children express. It’s better to choose a few good toys than to overwhelm the child with piles of games. After all, the focus should be on the act of giving itself and the child’s joy.