Gifts for children that are not toys (and that they will use)

When they already have everything, three kinds of present work: things that get used up (drawing materials, collectable stickers), things they use every day (a watch, a rucksack) and things that are shared (a board game, an instrument).

‘Don’t buy them any more toys’ is something many parents say before a birthday. It does not mean they do not want presents: it means another big box will not fit in the bedroom.

Presents that get used up

Anything that is consumed does not take up space for ever.

• Good-quality drawing materials: a good case of felt-tip pens or pencils lasts for months, and you can tell the difference.
• Single-project craft kits: they get made, given away and disappear.
• Collectable stickers (cromos) and cards, if they are already doing the collection.
• Modelling clay, paints and activity books for the youngest.

Presents they use every day

From age 7 or 8 they like having things of their ‘own’.

• A watch: they learn to tell the time and feel grown-up.
• A rucksack, a bottle or a pencil case with their team or their character.
• A head torch, binoculars, walkie-talkies.
• Kit for their sport: a ball in their size, gloves, a helmet.

Presents that are shared

• A board game or card game for the whole family. It takes up little room and gets everyone off their phones.
• A simple instrument. The ukulele is small, cheap and sounds good quickly.
• An instant camera, from age 9.

Books

For almost every parent, a book is not a toy. The first of a series they do not know, or the next in the one they already follow, is unlikely to miss. If they do not read much, try comics or books of curious facts.

Experiences

A ticket for a musical, an adventure park, a morning’s climbing, a cookery workshop. Two tips: give it with a date or with someone who commits to taking them, and hand over something physical (the printed ticket, a card) so they have something to open.

What to avoid

• Anything that makes noise and has no volume control.
• Anything that needs a lot of assembly and adult supervision, if you are not the one who will be there.
• Pets and anything alive. That is for the parents to decide.