holiday gift guide: kids gift ideas for non-parents

T.J. wrote me an email and said:

Thank you for offering to provide me some kid toy suggestions. I have loads of friends with kids who are around the ages of 4/5 and 1/2 – I’m always at a loss of what time buy them.

For example, my Goddaughter who is 4 is truly girlie, so I buy her princess dresses, sparkly shoes, and Hello Kitty stuff. But that is getting boring and I would love to branch out.

I always provide all the kids I know with plenty of books throughout the year but if you have any suggestions of books as well please do suggest those too.

She said she wants to spend under $75 for each of the kids on her list, (I wish she was my godmother!) and includes two 4 year olds, two 1 year olds, and a 6 month old baby.

Baby gift ideas:

There is so much useless stuff for babies, and they really don’t need a lot. I recommend getting a baby gift, paired with something that is more timeless.

Favorite baby gifts:

Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether
Wooden teething ring
Baby Photo Book: With a picture of you of course!
Sarah’s Silks Play Silks
Neurosmith Music Blocks I’m usually opposed to noisy toys, but all my kids LOVED these, and you can get cartridges for jazz or classical music.

Timeless Gifts for Babies: (also great for siblings)

Soft Building Blocks
classic story books like The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh
sheepskin from Ikea8

Preschooler gift ideas:

3-4 year olds are a great age for gifts. They really use stuff, and show genuine appreciation when they like something. The trick is finding something that they love without driving mom and dad crazy. Avoid Moon sand and Play-doh at all costs.

For the girlie girl:

Ribbon Headband Kit
Body Crayons or face crayons (a favorite in our house)
spa day: can do it at home, or take her to your favorite salon for a little pampering

For the nature lover:

Live Butterfly Garden: butterfly larvae are shipped
Geodes
Wooden Flower Press

For the boys (or tomboys):

trains like this Water Tower Figure 8 Set
Matchbox cars or Cars Gift Pack
marble run like this one I covet: Quadrilla Marble Railway, Twist and Rail
Automoblox Mini’s
Legos: Visit the Official LEGO Online Shop!
Playmobil sets: Playmobil Pirate Corsair

For the artsy kid:

Make your own art kit: get a box or basket and fill it with inexpensive WASHABLE markers, crayons, and tons of paper. Personalize it with a tag or write their name on the lid.
Paper airplane kit: paper and instructions
Paint set: I like to include a smock or apron that’s customized, and a bottle of hand soap.
For the more advanced: perler beads, a bead set, or a jewelry making set.
An easel: You can find awesome easels at Ikea for under $20! Include a few rolls of paper, add Non-Spill Paint Pots & Brushes Set
and you have a fantastic gift for under $50

For the wanna-be grown up:

Create a “school” set (an idea I borrowed from Sarah of Chester County Moms): stickers, worksheets from <add site>, a box of freshly sharpened pencils, a clipboard, etc. from the dollar store in a cute decorated box.
A tea set: maybe a Paint Your Own Tea Set
,or this adorable Green Toys Tea Set
recycled plastic one. Add some treats, some cloth napkins, and put it all in a cute basket.
A play kitchen: Despite $200-$800(!) price tags you can create a play kithcen for next to nothing. All you need is a sturdy cardboard box, sharp scissors, a few knobs from the hardware store, and some paint. Pick up some Melissa & Doug Cutting Food Box
(available at some TJ Maxx and Marshall’s stores), and some real kids sized kitchen supplies and you’re set.

Think outside the box:

Time- The best gift is one of time. If a child is important in your life then it is a wonderful idea to make time to spend with them. This is a great gift for someone on a tight budget. Make it special. Maybe head to the dollar store and stock up on coloring books, and get a few balloons while you are at it. You could do any number of activities together including: painting pottery, going to see a play, or hanging out at home and playing together.

Membership- A gift of a membership to a local museum or attraction is a gift that gives all year long. The trick to finding a good buy is to research what your giftee and his/her family like to do. A local children’s museum is always a safe bet. For a little nature lover, a membership to a local garden might be a good fit.

For more fantastic ideas, check out Cool Mom Picks holiday gift guide.

Do you have any suggestions for TJ? What are some of your favorite gifts to give to kids? If you have kids, what are the best gifts your child was given?

Kelly

Disclosure: This post includes links to affiliates. If you purchase something, I get a few pennies.

About Kelly

Kelly Whalen is the founder of The Centsible Life, a blog where motherhood and money meet. Her goal is to help readers live well on less. Kelly is a mom to 4, and loves that she can stay at home with her kids, and still pursue her passions for writing, personal finance, and social media. You can often find her on twitter and Facebook talking money and motherhood.

Tagged as: gifts, holiday gift guide, holiday shopping guide, holidays, Kelly tested and approved, kids

http://www.capressocoffeemakers.net Jill

I really enjoyed your page. It has helped me make a better choice. Thanks.
http://www.capressocoffeemakers.net/ Jill

I really enjoyed your page. It has helped me make a better choice. Thanks.
TJB

Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much – I now have so many choices for gifts. My wallet is seriously burning to buy almost everything on your list, especially since most of them are so very reasonable. I know that I'm buying the paint your tea set for my trip over to visit my Goddaughter – she will get a kick out of that. And I'm for sure going to get the body crayons for myself because I'm constantly doodling on myself with pens – this will make it much more fun!!! Once again, thanks a million.
TJB

Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much – I now have so many choices for gifts. My wallet is seriously burning to buy almost everything on your list, especially since most of them are so very reasonable. I know that I'm buying the paint your tea set for my trip over to visit my Goddaughter – she will get a kick out of that. And I'm for sure going to get the body crayons for myself because I'm constantly doodling on myself with pens – this will make it much more fun!!! Once again, thanks a million.
http://www.erica.biz/ Erica Douglass

What about something that's not "stuff"? Savings bonds; 529 plan investments…all much better ideas than the latest poorly-made garbage that comes out of toy stores. Give the kid a small (<$10) gift to play with and a much bigger investment in his/her future.

http://www.thecentsiblelife.com Kelly

Well I did mention some non-stuff “stuff”.

I personally love your idea, but I know many people who prefer stuff. I think you have to know how the recipient would feel about it before you give the gift of saving.

For anyone who might be opposed to it you could always give a lasting gift like a book that you remember fondly from your childhood, and a savings bond.

http://erica.biz ericabiz

What about something that's not "stuff"? Savings bonds; 529 plan investments…all much better ideas than the latest poorly-made garbage that comes out of toy stores. Give the kid a small (<$10) gift to play with and a much bigger investment in his/her future.

http://www.thecentsiblelife.com/ Kelly

Well I did mention some non-stuff “stuff”.

I personally love your idea, but I know many people who prefer stuff. I think you have to know how the recipient would feel about it before you give the gift of saving.

For anyone who might be opposed to it you could always give a lasting gift like a book that you remember fondly from your childhood, and a savings bond.