The holiday season brings joy to many people, but with it comes a whole lot of stress, too. The majority of this stress undoubtedly comes from the pressure of gift giving. If you're like me, a father, grandfather, and uncle, you understand how challenging it can be to find the right gifts for your younger relatives, especially daughters, granddaughters, and nieces. I've found that as we get older we tend to become somewhat out of touch, especially with the toy preferences of girls. Many times I have found myself standing in a toy store aisle, mesmerized into confusion by the endless wall of bright pink packaging, with no idea as to what my loved one would actually like to find under the tree. Luckily, there are countless stores and online shops to help you pick the perfect gift.
Deciding on a good gift for a child or a pre-teen girl can seem daunting for those of us who are unaccustomed or no longer "hip" to what kids gravitate towards today. Are Barbie Dolls still popular? What types of technology are appropriate for kids? Can a gift be too girly or too tomboyish? These are all questions that can be answered by you, the child's parents, and the internet. Personal interests are always important to consider when choosing a gift for a young person. Taking into account their favorite television shows, music taste, and hobbies can help you figure out where to start. If she enjoys reading pick out a few books that fit her reading level. If she enjoys playing sports consider buying her a basketball hoop and basketball or a soccer set so she can play with her friends.
If you're low on ideas and/or don’t want to ask her parents for gift ideas, consider checking out the gift lists from places like Toys R Us. Picking items off of lists of popular kids' toys may seem like a copout, but it can also lead to your daughter or niece making new friends. Because the items on this list are frequently purchased, the odds are that a few of the other kids that she knows will have received the same thing for the holidays. If you lean toward buying accessories or even toys that have multiple versions and styles your gift could lead to her forming new friendships with other girls who play with the same toys or have similar interests. Once you've decided on the perfect item, you have to decide where to get it from and how much it's going to cost.
Shopping in stores is definitely the go-to for a lot of people, especially those that grew up without easy access to the internet or even before it was around. It's instant; you pick a present, pay, and walk out the door with it.
Shopping in person also brings a sense of nostalgia; browsing through stores in packed shopping malls with incessant holiday music blaring through ceiling speakers is a universal experience that harkens back to our childhoods. The problem is that during the holidays the popular toys of the season tend to fly off the shelves and you can easily find yourself in a predicament if you don't get to the store in time and miss out on the gift you were planning on giving. Another advantage to shopping in person is the ability to take advantage of coupons, sales, and discounts that may not be offered online. For people who have the time, the energy, and the perseverance to take on malls and shopping centers during the holiday season, making the trip could pay off and keep you from worrying if the toy you ordered will be delivered in time.
The most popular way to shop for presents in the last few years has been online. According to Adobe Digital Insights, online retailers sold over $91.7 billion from November 1st to December 31st. This comes as no surprise. Shopping online is easy and you can do it from pretty much anywhere. You can also compare prices easily from site to site and purchase presents for all of your friends and family members at once through sellers like Jet.com and Amazon.com. The hot item lists on both websites are also a huge help when it comes to deciding what to get the little lady in your life. If your daughters, granddaughters, or nieces happen to be fond of jewelry accessories, like mine are, online niche shops like In Season Jewelry and Claires.com are great options for age-appropriate items.
Whether you plan on shopping in person or online, there are a lot of decisions to make when it comes to buying for a young, female family member. The good news is that there are tons of resources to help you find and acquire whatever you're looking for. Though shopping for a niece or granddaughter may seem confusing or daunting, you should always remember that putting thoughtfulness into your decisions is the most important step in finding the perfect present for a cherished relative.
Dan Blacharski is editor-in-chief of NewsOrg.Org and PRBlogs.Org.