Maybe let’s start this with, what kind of "Gift-Giver" are you?
I am Mel, Founder of BrookieKids. Having a daughter of 2 years old, an aunt to a 5-year old nephew and peers with babies, toddlers and preschoolers, “gifting” to little ones is part of my monthly routine 🤣 As much as it's the “thought that counts”, there are some gifts from my years of experience that parents wish to receive more than others.
As a (3) Practical Gift Giver, I would like to share my penny of thoughts that hopefully, will make gifting a much more enjoyable experience for both the Recipient and the Gifter!
Here are the Top 3 Toys that a quick poll with the team, comprising parents of toddlers and preschoolers, reveals they wish they wouldn’t receive.
Soft toys
Toys that take up space
Chocolates
And seeing the next paragraph, it is no surprise why these 3 Gifts made it to the top of on the list.
Parents enjoy gifts that:
“they can do and or admire with their little ones”
“are age appropriate for their children”
“are unique”
“they like, but which are not practical enough to buy”
“that are educational and keep the children healthily engaged”
So here are the Top 5 Picks of Christmas Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers (2023)
1. Donation to UNICEF through
As we enjoy the comfort and safety during the Christmas season, our hearts are also with the families out there living without proper shelter, basic needs and the uncertainty of the future. Perhaps, donating the money that you intend to use for gifts to support the Humanitarian efforts at Gaza would be a good use of the money.
Thereafter, write a card to tell the recipient about it! It is also a great opportunity for parents to share with children, that we must be thankful for what we have and that we could do more to helping those in need of help.
Recommended: Support through- https://rlafoundation.org.sg/ (P.S. we found this charity organization from a Singapore Minister’s of State social media post)
2. Badminton Racquet Set
Many parents appreciate toys or games that encourage outdoor play, what more one that can be played by the entire family. The equipment is lightweight and portable, making it accessible for parents and children to play at a park, or even apartment void decks.
Recommended: Kids Badminton Racket Set Perfly BR100 Starter from Decathlon, Singapore (From $17.90)
3. BrookieKids Ultimate Trio Bundle
Mandarin is one of the world's most widely spoken languages, and many parents see the value in introducing their children to it at an early age. BrookieKids make this experience interactive through its Speak & Choose stories, where children can make verbal choices and experience different outcomes in the stories. Created in Singapore, this Trio Bundle comes with an exquisitely designed set of cards that compliments the entire experience.
Recommended: Enter WELCOME7% to get 7% off (Includes International Shipping)or more discounts at BrookieKids partner sites.
4. Dr Seuss Book Set
Dr. Seuss books are known for their captivating, whimsical stories and characters. Their unique rhyming patterns and wordplay help young readers develop their vocabulary and language skills. More importantly, they often carry valuable life lessons and moral messages, with the right amount of humour for both the children and adults.
P.S. My 2-year old daughter's favourite is "Wacky Wednesday"
Recommended: From Shopee Singapore
5. Kids Camera
It is funny how we moved from hand held cameras, to smart phones and now we are back to hand-held cameras for children! With the boom in mobile devices, photography has been synonymously associated with smarts phones and often seen as “poor screen time”. However, the photography in itself has benefits towards the development of children. They learn to pay close attention to their surroundings, and are simple modes of creative expression.
Recommended: From Lazada Singapore
Now, hope these ideas help in the season of gifting!