Christmas is around the corner, a day for family, fun and a time where your little one might expect plenty of gifts.
When it comes to honouring the little people in our lives, why not choose a gift for them that’s not bought in a shop? In our highly materialistic world, this can be a breath of fresh air in cultivating healthy values that promote generosity and sustainability, while also helping your kids feel loved and connected to you.
Here are seven non-material gift ideas for young children:
1.Time
In our increasingly connected world, the irony is that many children feel more disconnected from their parents than ever, and vice versa. Reverse this trend by giving your child the gift of undistracted time. This time could take the form of a “parent playdate” where you and your child do an activity together that they enjoy such as hiking in nature, cooking, playing a boardgame or simply talking. This kind of quality time encourages deeper conversations, enhances emotional intelligence and builds a sense of security for the child – plus it’s a way to strengthen your bond with them and make them feel valued. Overall, children remember these moments long after toys are forgotten, which can help build positive and lasting childhood memories.
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A life skill
Do you have a skill you could teach your child? Teaching your child basic skills such as painting, needlework, baking or woodwork will empower them to be independent and self-sufficient – and the younger they are, the easier it will be for them to learn and master that skill. Start by involving your child in relatively simple tasks you can do together, whether that’s sawing a block of wood, planting a herb garden or knitting simple squares to make a blanket. When choosing a skill to teach them, select something that aligns with their existing interests so they’re more likely to be enthusiastic about sticking with it over time.
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A tradition
Establish a tradition that you do with your child on a particular day, such as their birthday, or in the days or weeks leading up the festive season. This could be an overnight camping trip to celebrate their birthday, or baking cookies on Christmas Eve. It could also be done at any time of year, such as a “yes day” twice a year where you say yes to everything they ask (within reason, of course!). These traditions can help form a solid basis for a happy and bonded childhood that your child will carry well into their own adult years.
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An experience
What about treating your child to a unique experience that takes them out of their usual environment or routine? This could be a trip to a wildlife reserve, a day’s adventure to a hidden beach, a ziplining experience, or an overnight road trip together. These experiences can help expand your child’s horizons and lead to self-discovery and real-world learning, which can be far more valuable than a toy or other kind of material gift.
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The value of health
Teaching your children the value of health – such as the benefits of being active and eating healthy food – can be an invaluable gift for them later in life. Living a healthy lifestyle involves regular habits that are often instilled in us as young children, so getting your children into healthy habits as early as possible means there’s an excellent chance they’ll develop into healthy adults. If you belong to a medical aid, keeping their health on track can be even easier through the benefits your plan offers. Many Fedhealth plans, for example, offer comprehensive childhood benefits, including free access to a 24/7 paediatric telephonic advice line, paediatric consultations without a GP referral and childhood immunisations that are fully covered up to the age of 12.
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A time capsule
Creating a time capsule together can be a meaningful and reflective experience for both you and your child. Curating and storing these physical representations of a moment in time is a great way of teaching children to reflect on their lives now while looking forward to the future – and it can be even more special when they unearth the box years later! Get creative with what you put into your time capsule: think letters, drawings, newspaper cuttings, fliers, photos or small mementoes representing your family’s current life and your child’s interests right now.
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Curating a dress-up box
Dress-up clothes can mean hours of entertainment and imaginative play – and you don’t have to buy any new items to create a great stock of them. Visit your local charity shop, clean out your own wardrobe or ask friends or family for inexpensive and versatile clothing that can allow your child to be several different characters (rather than just one Disney character, for example). These could be anything from old-fashioned shoes, feather boas and hats to aprons, bow ties and scarves.
Giving non-material gifts to your child has many benefits, including nurturing their sense of well-being, fostering creativity, and encouraging meaningful connections. By focusing experiences, skills, and quality time together, you’re not just giving a present—you’re helping your children grow into happy, grounded and compassionate individuals.
Also see:Why parents struggle to apologise to kids | Bona Magazine
