Ever have a hard time trying to find a gift for a child? Me too. Sometimes I find what I think is the perfect gift but it’s usually rare. Other times I feel like I’m just buying some little gadget that will amuse for a bit before it turns into clutter; just another toy in the pile.
I present to you five gifts for kids that keep on giving:
- Savings Bonds - Bonds are great because they continue to grow in value after they are given. It teaches a child discipline since they can’t immediately cash them out without penalties. If a child receives a good number of bonds in their childhood they will have a nice little nest egg that has grown when they reach their adult years. It may not be the most exciting gift for a child but later on in life the extra money will be much appreciated. Check out TreasuryDirect for savings bond details.
- Stocks - You can give a child part ownership in a huge corporation! How excited would a young girl be in knowing she owns a piece of Hannah Montana because you bought her a Disney share! You could find any number of companies that has a brand the child loves and buy them a share of the stock. Your child can take pride in ownership and watch the company grow. If the company has a dividend re-investment plan then the stock will grow even greater! This article from Fool.com discusses stocks for kids further.
- Books - It may sound corny but give a gift of books and you give a gift of learning. Books can be read over and over. Find a childhood favorite of yours and get a copy for the child. Explain to them why you loved the book growing up. Take some time and read it with them (if the child is younger, I’m not sure you’ll want to sit and read the Lord of the Rings with a teen). You can even help educate a child with a personal finance book such as these:Cash, Credit Cards, Or Checks: A Book About Payment Methods (Money Matters)
, Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday
, or Money Sense for Kids
.
- Charity - You can donate money in a child’s name to a favorite charity or one that resonates with the child. Let them know that their gift will continue to help those in the charity. There so many charities to choose from such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, Toys-For-Tots, or Ronald McDonald House.
- Time - Know what’s better than another toy for a kid? Taking time out to spend with the kid. Go to the movies. Go to the park. Go to a ballgame. Invite the little bugger over for an intense game of Monopoly (or Monopoly Junior)! Spend time and build memories with the child that will last forever. One of my fondest memories is going to see Empire Strikes Back with my uncle and dad. They got me in the car and didn’t tell me where we were going. Next thing I know we’re first in line to see the movie (after a lot of waiting). I’ve gotten other gifts from my uncle but I’ll always remember Empire Strikes Back (he’s his dad?!?, and why does Yoda sound like Grover?).
So before you go and buy another toy or video game that might be played with for a few days then tossed aside consider these five alternatives!
Can you think of any others?
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I loved this post so much, I linked it on my blog. We have to start with good personal habits of all kinds, including financial, when kids are young. I bought my little cousin a book every Christmas which she may have thrown in her pile of toys but hey, I tried!
Great post! I was trying to think of a good gift that my niece could use later in life and a savings bond is a wonderful idea.
Time and Books are the best gifts and my kids really like them. They read as much as I do and time just for them is always a winner as a gift.
Thanks for such a great post.
@ Nicole - Thanks for the link! And you know what? I think a book tossed aside is much more likely to be read later on than a toy in the same pile will be played with. I could b wrong but books stand the test of time better than many toys.
@ Kristen - We got a savings bond for my niece for her last birthday. What’s good is there’s no temptation to spend it immediately. My niece didn’t really care about the bond (she was turning two) but my sister loved it.
@1StopMom - Thanks for the kind words. As I said above, a child can always come back to a good book. Even if they don’t like or fully understand it now they may love it in a year.
Great gift ideas for kids. Its always hard to buy gifts for kinds. With your list, its not only wise ideas but also saves a lot of headache
Really great gift ideas for kids. Its always hard to buy gifts for kinds. With your list, its not only wise ideas but also saves a lot of headache
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