Little Givers, Big Hearts: Navigating the Wonderful World of Kids and Gift-Giving!

Hello Fellow Gift Giving Parents! We wanted to dive into the world of kids and gift-giving. It can be difficult to know the exact right time to start having your kids participate in gift giving.  I remember when my kids were about 4 they LOVED giving gifts. They truly knew at that point that bringing joy to someone you love is way better than receiving a gift. Plus, at that age they are a pretty easy audience.😎😎😎

So, when does the gift-giving journey begin for our little ones? Well, the magic usually kicks in around the age of 4 or 5. 👶 That's when kiddos can start crafting those adorable handmade gifts that warm our hearts. 💗 If you are shopping for gifts, this is a good time to teach them about money and budgeting for each gift. For instance, you can give them a $5 or $20 limit and let them help seek out the gift, while keeping it within the budget. I also took my kiddos to the dollar store or $5 below and let them go crazy getting a bag a little gifts. It just depends on the event or reason for the gift.  Don’t forget to watch their eyes and smiles light up when the receiver of the gift thanks them. 🧧🎁

As for shelling out cash💵 for gifts, it's more about the effort 💪than the dollars. As they grow, maybe by their tweens or early teens, you can introduce the idea of chipping in a bit if they want to buy something special. However, the emphasis should be on the thought behind the gift, not so much the price tag. If the kids were already involved in shopping and budgeting, they may already have a good understanding of the cost of presents.💰 So you could, for instance, say that you are willing to spend X dollars, and if they want to get something more expensive, they will need to kick in. It’s also important to give them a warning or notice that they may need to be responsible for paying for all or part of the gift.   

Teaching kids about giving is like handing them a superpower. 🦸‍♂️ It's about showing them that small gestures can make a big impact. And you know what? The thought really does count more than the cost. That's a lesson that lasts a lifetime. As I said above, think about how excited kids get giving presents. They seem to naturally understand the joy of gift giving. 

You can help your kids get creative by having them look at Pinterest with you to find an age-appropriate craft.  Handmade gifts are gold. Kids can make personalized drawings, craft funky photo frames, or whip up some DIY bath salts. Parents, you're the magical crafting assistants here – guide them, share ideas, and get messy together. They can even create their own personal gift wrap by creating their own works of art whatever paper might be available, including a grocery store bag.

Oh, and don't forget the power of handwritten cards! These are treasures, no matter the age. I still ask my adult kids to make them for me. The messages are so personal because it has to come from their memories of you. Encourage your little Picasso to express their feelings, add some doodles, and voila – a masterpiece card is born.

When it comes to different age brackets, keep it age-appropriate. Younger kids might shine with simple crafts, like painted rocks, homemade cookies, gluing paper together. Tweens can step up with more intricate DIY projects or contribute to a purchased gift. Teens might explore their skills in baking, photography, or crafting personalized playlists. And they can make coupon books, which are my very favorite.

Now, let's chat about our amazing kids who might face some extra challenges. For those littles with mental health issues, autism, developmental delays, or other unique situations, the key is patience and understanding. Tailor expectations to their abilities, and focus on the joy of giving rather than stressing over specific milestones. For example, if you have a child who hates having paint on their hands, don’t force them to make a handprint turkey for grandma. Instead, maybe use your hand and let them draw on the eyes, beak, and wattle.  Or maybe outline the child’s hand instead of putting paint on it and let them color it in.  There are so many easy modifications to so many things we do.

Be sure to encourage them to express themselves in ways that feel comfortable – it could be a simple drawing, a few heartfelt words, or even just a high-five. And remember, it's okay if they need extra support or time.

Finally, I think it’s really important to teach our kids about giving up their time. ⏳ At a time when their lives seem so full of school, extracurricular activities and being glued to electronics🤳, help them understand that time is such a valuable commodity and that giving of their time makes a great present to anyone. This is why kids’ coupon books have always made such great presents.

In the end, let's celebrate the journey of giving, regardless of age or circumstance. It's a powerful lesson that transcends material worth, teaching our kids the true magic of thoughtful gestures, kindness, and the joy of connecting with others. Happy gifting, everyone! 🎁