While this post about Christmas Gifts Your Kids Are Guaranteed To Play With is satirical in nature, the truth is these are really things your kids would play with longer than anything you are likely to buy them.
Trying to decide what gifts to get our kids for the holidays is such a toss up. Do we get them things that we think they want, they need, they asked for? Which one or combination of ones is the best choice? That seems to be a question that every single parent asks every single year. You would think by now that we’ve figured it out. Wrong.
Do We Give Gifts We Think They Want?
The first option, gifts we THINK they want. In someways this option is in a way us reliving out our own childhood. Gifts that maybe we didn’t get because it cost our parents too much or our parents didn’t like the idea. Now that we are in control of the gift giving sometimes that comes into play a little. At least I know here is does.
Sure there’s the whole, I know what they will play with or I know they’ve been asking for XYZ for a few months now. But I think there’s definitely a small part of every parent that wants to (and sometimes does) get a gift that they themselves wished for when they were little in hopes that it really is a magical thing for their own kid. And partly because WE want to play with it and see how it is.
Do We Give Gifts They Need?
The next option, things we KNOW they need, aren’t things that they actually want. Look, I know….budget. You are trying to optimize the number of presents they have to open while not spending a $100 on every box that they have to unwrap. However, opening up a huge pack of socks and/or underwear isn’t their idea of a good time. Neither is a new toothbrush or body wash in their stocking.
Yes, it sure does help our spending later in the year. But truly, this is an idea that we likely just need to toss to the wind.
Do We Give Gifts They Ask For?
And then there’s the gifts that they ask for themselves. Now, if you’ve been a parent for more than 3 minutes, then you know sometimes kids make demands that are unreasonable. Why no, love child of mine, you cannot have the motorized Lamborghini, Barbie’s Superdeduper Ultimate Deluxe dreamhouse, the biggest set of legos known to man, and all of the bikes and helmets you see in the store. Their asks are typically completely unreasonable. Though one year my oldest did ask for a vacuum and used it for 23 minutes before never touching it again another day in her life.
So what gifts do we actually get them?
Don’t worry. I have figured out the answer and it’s going to be the best set of gifts you have ever bought. I mean these are Christmas gifts your kids are guaranteed to play with for more than 2 minutes before moving onto something else. Now, before we get into the list let me preface this with my suggestion that these gifts are in the 1-8ish year old age range. I’d venture to say that some of these could be used for an older crowd also but it totally depends on the nature of your child(ren).
These gift ideas that I’m going to share with you will have you way under budget- like seriously way under budget. You can actually get that new [insert thing you’ve been wanting] and not even feel guilty about it because you’re so under budget. Also, you will actually now have more time alone to finish that plate of hot food that you never get to enjoy. So you’re welcome.
Now, without further ado… Christmas Gifts Your Kids Are Guaranteed To Play With
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Cardboard boxes
- It’s the ultimate toy. Nothing else is really needed. Grab a bunch of different sizes and let them have at it.
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Toilet paper rolls
- My kid’s actually fight over who gets the toilet paper or paper towel rolls when they are empty.
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Laundry baskets
- It’s rodeo heaven around here in a laundry basket. How fast can you go? Hide underneath it. Make it into a crib. Endless possibilities.
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Empty plastic bottles
- They will stuff things inside, empty it, and repeat for hours.
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Sealable sandwich bags
- See above.
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Empty plastic or reusable bags
- They swear they are going places and will use it as a purse, luggage, or storage container. Just let them have at it.
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Clothes hangers
- If you really want to see a kid’s imagination at work, hand them some hangers. It’s hilarious.
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Unusable cellphone
- They want to mimic you. It’s better if it can at least light up and allow them to move around a screen, but even if it doesn’t and is truly unusable, they will still play with it.
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Pots and pots
- It’s the oldest household item used by a kid. If you dare, hand them a wooden spoon along with it.
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Bag of beans or dry pasta
- Paired with a plastic bottle and they will play for hours.
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Sticks from outside
- Have to be careful with these, but they do last forever in the fun zone.
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Maxi Pads and Tampons
- I am amazed at how long a kid will play with these.
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Old High Heel Shoes
- Girl or boy doesn’t matter, they think it’s hilarious to try to walk in them.
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Potatoes
- They will turn it in a baby or a host of a million other things, but the point is they will play forever.
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Pinecones
- I think they are prickly but kids seem to love doing things with pinecones.
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Roll of tape or bottle of glue
- This is the height of kid fun.
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Plastic Cups
- I’ve seen some pretty crazy things happen with a few plastic cups and lots of fun. Give it a try.
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Towels or Blankets
- Forts, forts, forts. No other commentary needed.
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Spoons or Whisks
- Just another one of the weird household things kids will play with forever.
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Tissue Box
- Pull tissues out. Put them back in. Repeat. Wipe something up, make it a doll blanket, use the box for some random craft. Lots of fun to a kid.
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Leaves
- One day my kids brought in a pile of leaves and played with them for over an hour. My mind was blown.
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Plastic Containers and Large Bowls
- There’s a reason that they won’t leave your drawer of “Tupperware” alone, it’s amazing to them. They will stack, restack, and sort for endless amounts of time.
So which idea do you think you little one(s) would like the best? Happy shopping!
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