Gift-giving is not just about the presents. It's a great way to help them develop empathy, thoughtfulness, and the ability to see things from someone else's perspective. When your kids help choose presents, they get to know the likes and dislikes of their family members, which helps them understand and value those around them more. Plus, when you get your kids involved in gift-giving, you're not just making memories; you're teaching them about generosity, kindness, and the joy of making others smile.
Encouraging thoughtfulness The holiday season gives us a chance to help our kids become more thoughtful and empathetic when it comes to giving gifts. Here are some ideas to think about:
Set the example: Show your kids how to pick out gifts that matter. Tell them why you choose certain presents for people, and explain how you think about what they like, what they need, and what they prefer.
Talk about the sentiment behind gifts: Chat with your child about why some gifts are special. Share stories about presents you've loved getting in the past and how they made you feel important and cared for.
Name the feeling behind it: Tell your child that what makes a gift valuable is the care and feeling behind it, not just how much it costs or how big it is.
Model gratitude: Show your child how to say thanks for gifts even if they don't love them. You can do this by modeling thank you in the moment of a real-time gift exchange, speaking graciously on their behalf. You can also practice gratitude by role playing gift giving and receiving out of the moment! Invite your child to role play by wrapping an existing toy, and go through the motions together placing emphasis on what is okay to say, and what we should not say.
Involve Them in Giving Back: Think about getting your child to help with charity work or giving away used stuff to people who need it. This can help them care about and understand others beyond their close circle.
When can kids pick out gifts for others?
The skill of choosing gifts for others is linked to various growth milestones that kids reach at different ages. Keep in mind that these age ranges serve as general guidelines, and each child develops at their own pace. Some kids might show gift-giving skills sooner or later than others, and that's fine. With that in mind,, here are some general guidelines to consider:
Ages 2-3:Kids this young might get the basics of giving gifts but find it tough to pick presents for others. They choose based on what they like. Still, this is a good time to teach them about gift-giving. You can try simple things, like helping them make a card or letting them pick a small item they think is cool.
Ages 4-5:Kids at this age see big jumps in how they think and interact with others. They might start to understand that other people like different things when picking out gifts. But what they choose often still comes down to the gift they want to receive.
Ages 6-8:During these years, kids get better at seeing things from other people's points of view and feeling what others feel. They can pick out good gifts based on what they know about someone's hobbies, favorite colors, or new interests. This is a great time to let them help more with choosing gifts and to teach them to think about their choices from the receiver's perspective.
Ages 9-12:As kids get closer to their teenage years, their thinking and social abilities keep growing. They start to grasp the rules of giving gifts, think about how much money they can spend, and pick out presents based on what they know about the person they're buying for.
This holiday season, make gift shopping a family affair. Involving your children in gift-giving is more than a fun activity—it's a valuable learning experience that shapes their emotional intelligence and social skills.