Children’s Gifts That Give to Everyone
Most adults, at one time or another, have been faced with the dilemma of what gift to give a child in their life. For many of us, this dilemma is frequent, long-lasting and ever-evolving. We want to be thoughtful and find that perfect gift, but, we are often distracted by convenience, time constraints, budgets, and fads. However, there are simple solutions to meaningful gift-giving.
Certainly, we want the children in our life to adore the gifts they receive from us. However, instead of giving them the latest trend or gadget, give them something they didn’t even know they wanted — “giving gifts” as I like to call them. These are timeless, durable, Earth-friendly products that encourage accountability, tolerance, and creativity and exude a keepsake quality. Not only does the recipient benefit from the gift but the Earth and its inhabitants do as well. This type of gift is perfect for any age.
Infant and Toddler: The Infant and toddler years bring forth a variety of opportunities to introduce thoughtful, classic, and earth-friendly toys into young lives. Consider toys that are made from recycled, sustainable, and organic materials. Wooden toys are always a hit and are often passed down through several generations. Books are another timeless option that compliment other gifts by reinforcing particular themes such as nature, art, or culture. Children are never too young to be introduced to concepts beyond the basics and the selection of alternative products continues to expand.
Preschool and Elementary Age: Although more opinionated, preschool and elementary age children tend to prefer surprises, and, are typically receptive to new concepts. They are always going to desire what their peers have and what mesmerizing TV commercials dangle before them, but, there is always room for gifts they didn’t even know they wanted. This age group is discovering the outdoors, their creativity, and the differences in others. Nurture this curiosity. Present these young minds with gifts that will encourage them to explore the world and appreciate the wonder that surrounds them. Eco-friendly building blocks will encourage open-ended creativity, as well as, reinforce green concepts and timeless design. Multicultural books, puzzles, and crafts encourage tolerance and cultural knowledge. The selection of thoughtful products is endless for this age group.
Tweens and Teens: There is no sense elaborating on the difficulties of purchasing a gift for a tween or teen. This age group tends to receive the largest volume of green gifts — dollar bills to be exact. Although cash and gift cards certainly enable one to ensure the recipient is getting (or will get) what they want, there are other types of green gifts that are sure to delight even the toughest critic. Keep in mind that, nowadays, it is hip to be green and tolerant. “Global warming”,”eco-friendly”, “multicultural”, and “organic” are an integral part of many teens’ lingo. Graphic tees with green messages and room accessories that champion preservation and world peace offer a positive means of personal expression — perfect for a group of individuals that want to “fit in” and yet find their individual voice.
“Giving gifts” are great for young and old. Give them to the children in your life and they will be reminded of the greatest gift of all — Earth and all that inhabits it.