Homemade and Store Bought Gifts for Kids, Teens
Age-Appropriate Birthday Presents for Girls and Boys
Sep 13, 2008
During the school year, particularly for elementary school students, it seems as though it’s always someone’s birthday. And if there’s a party, then the guest is pretty much required to bring a gift. However, gifts don’t need to be fancy or expensive. Gift giving shouldn’t be a show about how much money or connections the giver has – there are many simple, creative and thoughtful gifts that will please the birthday girl or boy.
Homemade Gifts
Homemade gifts are a good option that always impress the birthday kid (and his or her parents) regardless of their own economic or financial status. A few options of homemade gifts are the following:
- Homemade jewelry – necklaces, bracelets, keychains
- Decoupaged items – The traditional craft of covering any item (furniture, box, notebook) with cut-out pictures and sealed with decoupage glue can be modern and specific by using magazine photographs, wallpaper or wrapping paper samples.
- Particular craft – A child’s talent can be turned into a memorable gift, such as painting or sculpture
Store Bought Gifts
Unless the child is very good friends with the birthday kid and knows whether they want a specific Barbie or Lego set, sometimes it’s good to go a bit broader and venture beyond a toy store for a gift.
- Stationary is always an appreciated gift. Paper and envelopes can be monogrammed (this is often available via catalogs or websites), or purchase stationary with various designs and put together as a set with a pretty pen and stickers.
- A creative school supply set can be appropriate for a girl or a boy. Fill a pencil case with various pencils and pens, a ruler, erasers, tiny pair of scissors and any other school items.
- Along with the school theme, various sized notebooks with matching pens are another option.
- Tween girls who are eager to start with makeup can be given an “introductory” makeup bag filled with age-appropriate cosmetics such as nail polish, lip gloss and face highlighter.
- For older teen girls, makeup sets are a fun gift. Buy a set that’s already put together at a department or makeup store, or assemble a personal one by choosing various eye shadows, lipsticks and a mascara. Drugstores have less expensive makeup options, and particularly cheaply priced brands are Wet ‘n’ Wild and E.L.F. (Eyes Lips Face). More makeup can be “stuffed” into a bag this way.
- Miniature games, such as decks of cards, mini Scrabble or mini Yahtzee are fun gifts for either gender and especially suitable for kids who travel a lot.
Gift Cards
If there isn’t time or energy to pick out a particular gift, or a giver is in the need of something easy to mail, a gift card is always an option. Gift cards can be purchased almost anywhere.
Try:
- Sephora (makeup)
- Bookstores
- Clothing and department stores
But also don’t forget:
- Favorite restaurants
- Coffee shops
- Sports supply stores
- General American Express gift cards that can be set with a specific amount of money
For additional gift ideas, see:
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