You would think that the idea of a ‘perfect gift’ for a child (or indeed, an adult) is very much an impossible dream, yet research published in 2019 in the Journal of Business Research shows that there is, in fact, an art to finding an ideal match for a friend or loved one. For the study, researchers conducted various interviews to discover that ideal gifts have specific characteristics in common: they are experience-based, unforgettable, and life-changing. When searching for a present for a small child who means the world to you and your family, how can you ensure that it contains all of these elements?
Ensuring Children Have The Time Of Their Lives
Small children may be too young for a super adventurous experience like a boat ride, canyoning, or white water rafting escapade, but you don’t need to go so far to give them quality time. Most children are intrinsically creative and mindful, requiring adults and children to work side by side. Take the typical DIY creative toy set that requires kids to paint and apply sparkly beadwork to bags or backpacks, a game kit that bridges the divide between the digital and physical world, or kits for making headbands and other accessories. Craft kits like these tend to be particularly well-loved by girls over six, and are open invitations for their parents to join their creative forces with those of their children to make beautiful creations. Of course, all these toys can be enjoyed by boys as well, so if a birthday boy is crafts-oriented, he might enjoy beading and other hands-on crafts. For children who are younger, choose toys without beads and other items that could pose choking risks. Older children can make a plethora of crafts - from embroidery to patchwork, and even sculptures.
The Unforgettable Touch
In order for a birthday to be unforgettable, it has to stand out of the ordinary. This doesn’t mean having to break the bank to make a child happy. Rather, it has to involve planning, strategy, and attention to small details. If the child celebrating a birthday is into cooking, for instance, then paying for a baker to come and teach party attendees to make creative cakes, cupcakes, or cookies will be treasured and remembered. Moreover, the techniques the child learns at an event such as this can be used many years later, even in their adulthood, and the child will always remember where they first learned to make cake toppers or to cover a cake in fondant.
Something Life-Changing
This requirement can be a little difficult to fulfil for children, and to ace it, it helps to think of a few life-changing gifts and experiences that adults may have shared with you as a child. If you have a natural affinity for animals, for instance, you may recall the time you were taken to an animal shelter and the way this fostered an instant interest in rescuing animals. If you love reading, you may recall that family member who introduced you to a saga like Percy Jackson or Harry Potter. To change a child’s life, you have to inspire them, and that means getting to know them and their deepest interests. This will be easier, since some children develop strong interests from the start. Others may require trying and testing before they define their role in life.
If a special birthday is coming up, taking the time to make it unforgettable and unique will make all the difference. Often, getting it right is simply a matter of knowing the child you are buying a present or experience for, and matching your gift with their deepest wishes. If you don’t know the child too well, take the time to give their parents a call and enquire about the things they love and make them happy. Not only will the parents appreciate this gesture, but their child will too as soon as they break open the wrapping paper and discover the gift they always wanted.
