How To Ask Family Members for Educational Gifts for Your Kids
The holiday season is a time of joy, love, and, let's be honest, a lot of gifts. While it's wonderful to see our children's faces light up with excitement, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to manage the influx of toys. Additionally, sometimes relatives purchase toys that might be overwhelming, overstimulating, or are otherwise not aligned with what you want for your child.
The Gift of Experiences
One of the best ways to create lasting memories is to give the gift of experience. Suggest a grandparent-grandchild outing to a museum, zoo, or amusement park. These shared experiences can strengthen family bonds and create cherished memories.
In recent years, there’s been more of a cultural shift towards experiential gifts. Many parents prefer experiences over material presents for their children, preferring memories to stuff. Experience-based gifts are great for children! It can be a bit tricky to navigate with relatives, however.
By having open and honest conversations with your relatives, you can guide their gift-giving choices towards meaningful and memorable presents. Remember, the goal is not to eliminate gifts altogether, but to encourage a shift towards gifts that nurture your child's mind, body, and soul.
Asking From the Heart
When discussing your gift preferences for your child with relatives, approach the conversation with gratitude and understanding. A direct conversation, whether in person or over the phone, is often more effective than a text message. Sure, it can be awkward, but it doesn’t have to be.
Try these tips for an easeful conversation:
- Express your sincere appreciation for their love and generosity.
- Share that this year, you’re hoping your child receives experience gifts.
- Gently explain why you prefer your child to get experience gifts.
- Give a few fun examples.
Be Prepared with Ideas
Some family members will understand immediately where you’re coming from. Some will be grateful for suggestions as shopping for many people can be a challenge and put pressure on the holidays. Some may not like the idea of an experiential gift at first, but will respect your wishes.
For relatives who may or may not be familiar with current toy trends, it can be helpful to provide a list of alternative gift ideas.
- Museum or aquarium visits
- Tickets to a children’s theater show
- Zoo membership
- Music lessons
- Dance classes
- Entry to a trampoline park
- Membership to a climbing gym or indoor playground
- Kids cooking classes
- Sports lessons
- Mini-golf outings
- Bowling gift certificates
If your relatives are set on giving a tangible gift, consider suggesting educational gifts for kids that align with your values and educational vision for your child this holiday season.
- Books that align with your child’s interests and reading level
- Dress up clothes for pretend play
- Lacing and stringing bead sets
- Stacking cups and animals
- Numbered, counting, and sorting toys
- Building toys and peg boards
- Differently shaped blocks
- Connector sets
- Squishy textured toys
- Puzzles
The Art of Compromise
Remember that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Perhaps a grandparent would like to get your child one physical gift and one experiential gift. That’s a great compromise!
It’s also helpful to remind your family member that if they’d like to accompany your child on their experience gift, it’s a wonderful way to spend time together, bond, and make memories.
It’s important to recognize that material gifts can still be good gifts. Children learn through play, so gifts that encourage your child to interact with their environment and other people can still have tremendous positive effects on your child’s development.
While we are always on the search for the best educational Christmas gifts for kids, the best gifts are the ones that allow you to connect with your child – whether that is while visiting the aquarium together or reading a book at home.