There comes a time in every young person's life where they realize that the "season of giving" isn't just about getting gifts. The usual pattern is: the weather gets cold, one day toy catalogs arrive, then a month later when the Christmas tree is up, Santa brings everything. Yay! If you're raising a toddler and wondering how to help them get into the gifting spirit during the season of giving, we got you covered: Here's our quick how-to guide on intentionally interrupting your toddler's "gimme gimme gimme" mindset this holiday season, and start a tradition solely focused on giving to someone else in the home.
The new tradition is super, super simple. Here are the rules:
1) Your toddler(s) gets a small budget
2) Your toddler(s) gets to pick out exactly ONE gift for the other
3) Mom and dad aren't allowed to veto the gift choice
Grab the toy catalog, let the kids pick out the things they want for themselves, then afterwards, separately, go through the toy catalog together, or the toy section of a favorite retailer's website. (Our Play collection has great options!) Have them look over their options, think carefully, and pick out their one item for their sibling.
While they're looking, ask them: Why do you think (sibling) will like this? What made you think of (sibling) when you picked this? Encourage them to be considerate and thoughtful while picking out the gift, and it'll help them make the perfect choice! Side note: if you only have one kiddo, this tradition is a fantastic way to incorporate cousins or grandparents into the holiday magic.
Once your child has confidently made their pick and locked in their gift of choice, have them write a nice note including why they picked the gift, why the gift made them think of their sibling, and a heartfelt sign-off. Then you can take over the work of putting together a thoughtful, aesthetically-pleasing presentation so the gift looks perfect under the tree on Christmas morning!
Now, since you're not allowed to veto your child's gift of choice, it's important that you steer them in the right direction by presenting them with appropriate options.
If you're looking for toys that are soft, durable, and aesthetically-pleasing enough to double as nursery decor, we have two brands you'll love! The first is Maileg, a Danish brand that we're absolutely obsessed with! They design the cutest, most magical mice dolls you've ever seen, and the most adorable accessories, outfits, furniture pieces, and sets to go with them. These mice are made with top-notch craftsmanship, so they won't break after one afternoon of play, and they're heirloom quality--meant to last long enough to be passed down to the next child, and, when the time comes, even to your grandkids. Shop our collection of Maileg Mice here!
Our next toy brand going under the spotlight is Mon Ami! The brand's name means "My Friend" in French, and they design the cutest dolls ever. Their heirloom-quality plush toys are whimsical, unique, and it's clear the brand puts tons of love and imagination into their dolls. They have top-tier softness, and are beautifully crafted with darling designs that are so nice they can also double as decor!
Just by helping your little one "hone in" on some high-quality brands, you can make sure they're able to pick the number one best holiday gift for their sibling! If you need any more gifting inspiration, you can also check out our collection of stocking stuffers!
So, are you excited to include your little one in on the magic of giving season? What's the wildest/strangest/silliest toy you've ever received from a little kid?
We wish you the happiest of holidays, and we hope you have a season full of love and cheer!
-The Team at Wrightsville Ave Boutique