These days, all I have to do is open my phone, and I’m bombarded with gift ideas for children. From toys to electronics, the market is flooded with images of happy kids unwrapping their latest gadget with sheer bliss on their faces.
I hear it everywhere—coworkers and friends lamenting over finding the “perfect” gift, trying to fulfill every item on their child’s wish list. People often go into debt (toys are expensive these days) to give children the latest technology—only to have those same requests resurrected and made even more expensive the following year.
A few years ago, my dad gave me my favorite Christmas gift ever. He took all our family photos—years’ worth that had only existed on projector slides—and put them on a disk. My whole childhood, my family history, and my parents’ story were wrapped up and placed under the tree. Best gift ever!
So here’s my list of the top five gifts for kids they won’t easily forget:
1. Time – I don’t remember many of the gifts I received as a child. But I do remember the time spent with family: huge Christmas Eve gatherings at my aunt’s house with her famous cookies, midnight mass with my mom holding my hand while we sang Silent Night, and the chaos and laughter at my dad and stepmom’s house, often ending with Brandy Alexanders. No gift is more valuable than time together.
2. Handmade gifts – My daughter bakes treats each year to give as gifts. I treasure those, especially paired with a cup of coffee. I’ve made blankets for friends that I still see in their homes today. My sister makes jewelry. Even if it’s a small ornament for a child’s tree, handmade gifts are inexpensive, meaningful, and long-lasting.
3. Tickets to an event – Some of my fondest memories are trips my dad took us on, like seeing the Christmas lights on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. I’ve recreated that tradition with my daughters at Zoolights at Brookfield Zoo, and I’ve shared The Nutcracker with Emilie at the local college—just as my dad shared it with me years ago. These experiences become lasting memories.
4. Books – Reading to your children or giving them books is a gift that lasts. A library card costs nothing, and libraries often host free events for kids around the holidays. The memories formed through shared stories are priceless.
5. Hobbies – Sharing your hobbies with a child can be one of the most meaningful gifts. When my older daughter expressed interest in crochet, I got her a crochet hook set with a case. I had started crocheting myself after receiving a set that belonged to my stepmom’s mother. Gifts that foster hobbies create ongoing joy and shared experiences.
The main idea is simple: don’t go broke or go into debt on gifts your kids won’t remember a year from now. Time, experiences, creativity, books, and shared hobbies are gifts that truly last.
Faith Love n Joy 