Gift Giving Guide: What to Consider Before Buying a Present for a Child

Sometimes, buying a present for someone else's kid can be complicated. By asking yourself these questions before making a purchase, you can prevent making a gift giving mistake.

Does the child have somewhere to put it?

When I was a child, I was lucky that I had a huge storage building to put all of my toys in that I didn't use on a daily basis. While some houses have a basement, an attic, or a play room in addition to the kid's bedroom, it's still best to consider if the child has somewhere to put what you want to buy. This doesn't necessarily apply only to huge toys.

Some people live in apartments or small houses, and there is simply no more room for any more toys. Some parents have a policy that if the child gets a new toy then something old must either be trashed or given away. If that's the case, are you giving something that's better than what the child already has?

Will the parents approve of what you want to buy?

When I was a child, my cousins and I played darts. No one ever got hurt. Therefore, I never expected a parent would be against a dart game. But when I wanted to buy one for my father's kids in the second family that he created, he had a fit. He insisted that he didn't want anyone pulling a dart on someone else. He was so irrational that there was no reasoning with him. I totally didn't expect that reaction at all. It's hard to guess how people will react to the gift that you want to give their kids. In my case, it was a good thing I had mentioned my plans before I did it.

On the same note, parents may not approve of toys that make a lot of noise. Some toys are so loud and aggravating that reading or talking on the phone can become a challenge. Unless you want to annoy the parents, it's best not to buy these types of toys without their consent.

What makes a good keepsake?

Porcelain dolls are typically something that girls keep forever. But what else? Those jewelry boxes with the little ballerina are usually something else that is treasured for a lifetime.

Aside from stuffed animals, the toys I loved the most as a child were wooden toys that were made close to twenty years before I was born (such as the Fisher Price cash register). I still have my Fisher Price wooden cash register. All kids are different, but wooden toys seem to have an allure to them that simple plastic ones do not. Every time I'm at a doctor's office that has wooden toys as an option for the kids to play with, the kids always go straight for them.

Does the toy need batteries or an adapter that isn't included?

It's always terrible when a child gets a toy, but cannot play with it right away. If your gift requires batteries or an adapter that isn't included, you may want to also buy its power source. Besides being considerate of the child's feelings, a present shouldn't cost the parents money.

Is the gift age appropriate?

You've seen the perfect toy for that special child in your life. Then you see it, the recommended age is higher than you expected. But you want to buy it anyway.

Definitely reconsider this line of thought. The recommended age for the toy is there for a reason. Perhaps the toy has small parts that are a choking hazard? Whatever the case, you should follow the toy maker's guidelines.

Does the toy go against the child's religion?

A few years ago, I wanted to buy a dreamcatcher for a friend's little girl. It certainly would have been pretty hanging on her wall. However, when I mentioned my idea to her Catholic mother, she expressed her feelings that dreamcatchers were an instrument of the devil! With unusual gifts, it's better to get the okay from the parents first.