Reyes presents for under €20 that don't look like an afterthought
Under €20, the presents that work are the ones that are good at a small size, such as a card game, a book, a short building set or drawing materials. What fails is the cut-down version of a big toy.
A small present at Reyes (Three Kings, 6 January) does not have to be the filler. It is the one the aunts and uncles bring, the one the Kings leave at the grandparents’ house or the one that goes alongside the main present. The difference between a good one and a forgettable one lies in choosing something that is complete at that price.
What to choose and what to avoid
| Better | Worse |
|---|---|
| A card game from a well-known brand | A big board game in a stripped-down travel version |
| A book from a series they can carry on with | An activity book that is finished in an afternoon |
| A small but self-contained building set | A box of loose pieces with no model or instructions |
| A good case of felt-tip pens or pencils | A hundred-piece art case of poor quality |
| A single-project craft kit | A science kit with lots of experiments and few materials |
The rule is the same in every row: on this budget, a little and good beats a lot and weak.
Ages 3 to 5
- Hardback storybooks to read together.
- Modelling clay or finger paints with their tools.
- Floor puzzles with few pieces.
- Memory games and picture dominoes, which they can now play by the real rules.
The drawback: almost everything for this age needs an adult alongside the first few times. See ideas in gifts for 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds.
Ages 6 to 8
- Quick card games, the kind you can explain in two minutes.
- The first books of a series: if it hooks them, you know what to give next time.
- Small building sets, the kind that are built in an afternoon.
- Bracelets, iron-on beads and other kits with a result they can show off.
This is the age range with the most to choose from. There is more in 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds and 8-year-olds.
Ages 9 to 12
- One-player logic games, with challenges of increasing difficulty.
- Comics and novels from series.
- Card games with a bit of strategy that adults will play too.
- Good-quality drawing or lettering materials.
From age 10 it is easy to aim too low: anything that looks babyish stays in the cupboard. If in doubt, go up in recommended age, not down. Ideas in 9-year-olds, 10-year-olds, 11-year-olds and 12-year-olds.
Three categories that do not fail on a small budget
- Board games. Card games fit this budget and get used for years.
- Books. It is hard to find a present that gives more for what it costs, if you get the reading level right.
- Arts and crafts. They get used up and do not take up space for ever, something parents appreciate in January.
Before you buy
- Check whether it needs batteries or anything else that is not in the box. A small present that demands a separate purchase stops being one.
- Check the manufacturer’s minimum age, especially if there are siblings under 3 in the house.
- Ask for a gift receipt. Small, popular things are what get duplicated most.
If the budget is smaller still, in gifts under €10 there are small things that work as a second present. And if what you are after is for a gift exchange, see the amigo invisible (Secret Santa) ideas for kids.
