Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas For Children

By

Hyena Cub

Since others have already said the very good things about time, I will mention bedsheets. it seems a weird thing to say, but twin bed sheets that come with a pillowcase come in some pretty fun patterns. I know I've seen a Hulk one and they're 15 to 20 bucks. I always likes the sheets that had my favorite characters on them.

Or maybe a bedspread of the same. Usually 20 to 30 dollars at places like Wal Mart. Hope this helps!

By

elle1972

These are all great ideas, esp. the ones involving spending more time with him. My 5 year old son loves all the same stuff plus he enjoys when I let him snap the photo. There are kid-tough digital cameras now. I know you are thinking what? But it could give him some independence and teach him some great skills. Who couldn't use practice taking good photos? I've seen these cameras for $49 and under now. Good luck!

By

HalfWhit

Why not do a little photo album of you, his dad and all the things you do together? Including other family members in the photos would be great too. It would be just his little album.

By

Jcerar

I would find a place in your area that he would like to visit; children's museum, ball park, zoo, amusement park, and wrap him a package with a trip to this place announced and then plan a special day with him there. Even several movie nights would be special if he does not get to do that. Being with "you" would be the best gift for these times.

By

chriself

Expand his horizons, get something without a character on it! Craft stores sell easy building kits for children. Make a birdhouse or a race car together. What about paints, playdough, or other childhood favorites. Or what was your favorite book as a child? Get him his own copy and start reading it together.

By

mrs. joe

If the one who gave birth to him, spoils him with lots of toys, does she play with him and his toys?
Get down on the floor and play with him. He will remember that longer than anything. Read to him. Imagine with him. Make cookies, pick out garden seeds for next year,let him help you plant them. You can plant beans in a paper cup with wet paper towels, watch them grow! Listen to him talk. Ask questions. Have him tell you a story. love him. Some of the best gifts, are not things that can be bought in a store. Many good ideas here. Enjoy that little boy!

By

mandy500

I would try ordering a personalized book with a character he loves. My daughters have a Disney Princess book with their names in it and they love reading a story that includes them. I know there is a Disney Cars version, and others if you search online.

Try www.identitydirect.com. (This website has Christmas delivery for orders placed by the 14th.)

I like books because you can read them together, especially still at age 5. Board games are a great choice, also, because they are still about spending time together which is what any kid really wants.

By

redhatterb

If you and the boy's Dad are married why don't you give gifts together? The married couples that I know do that. If you are no longer together and you have maintained some kind of relationship with him, I would say a $5.00-$10.00 rememberance would be enough. You can get books, color books, some puzzles in that price range.

By

readingiggits

If he has "all the toys in the world", why not get him practical things with his favorite characters on them. Things like Hulk underwear, Transformer pjs, car themed storybooks, etc. Also, if you want to start teaching financial responsibility, you could buy him a share of stock in the company that makes his favorite toy.

Since most companies no longer issue real stock certificates, you could print up one with his name and a picture of the toy that the company produces. You could explain to him that he now "owns" a small part of the toy company. As he ages, you can teach him how to follow the stock market and watch the value of his stock (hopefully) grow. Believe me, he will appreciate the time you spend with him and financial education that you have provided long after the toys are outgrown.

By

Jilson

Oh, one other thing; you can always get him a little boy's wallet, and spend the rest of what you've budgeted for him on a gift card from a store such as Walmart. I do this for my nieces and nephews, since we live far apart and 1. I don't know what they have and 2. I don't know what they are "into" at any particular time.

At five, my one nephew opened the gift card, and declared that they needed to stop what they were doing (opening gifts Christmas morning) and go shopping NOW! They look forward to their g.c.s eacch year.

By

Jilson

I would go to the dollar store and get a big stocking and a few fun things like glow sticks, little games, etc. I would then find a nice book or two that will fit inside. With a note of promise to read them to/with him. Some cookies and candy would be fun, as well. The more little things (wrap each one!) the better. Then I would think about what he likes to do, and make a coupon book of things to do with him: maybe making cookies, renting a movie of his choice and popping corn to watch it together, building something together (if neither you or your husband is handy. Home Depot has parent/child projects on Saturday mornings); fishing time with dad, and so on.

Kids want our time as much or more than "stuff" (though in some kids it has been conditioned out, it seems). Show him that you and his dad are willing to give him that time. For some reason, kids also like filled stockings (!), and often their favorite gift is something silly, like glow sticks or silly string.

I have received some great gift ideas off of here for adults. However, I need some ideas for cheap homemade gifts for children ages 6 mo to 12 years.