Thoughtful parents are the best parents in the world. With the holiday season or birthdays approaching, many people start thinking about presents for their children. If you are not sure what to do about it, here is a list of some ideas for the best gifts you can buy (or make) for your child.

Paper and Colouring Set

If you want to help your child develop drawing or colouring skills, you can buy them a drawing notebook and different types of colouring sets. Coloured pencils, crayons, watercolour, oil paint – you name it! What is best about this kind of present is that it is unisex, so you can buy one for kids of both sexes without worrying whether they will like it or not (but they will, of course, love it!).

Empty Cookbook for Family Recipes

If you want to transmit a sense of belonging and tradition to your child, you can buy them an empty cookbook and (re)write family recipes which they can use later in life. Or, if you happen to find your grandma’s cookbook, even better because you will not have to invest into this present, and yet will achieve the same effect. If you do not like regular notebooks, you can even make one by yourself. It’s fun and easy!

Shadow Box Memories

Another great idea is to frame their favourite childhood toy in a shadow box. This will make them ride the rollercoaster of memories and truly appreciate the thought of the toys or keepsakes staying untouched for the rest of their lives. Or, you can put their baby shoes and a photo of your child actually wearing them in a shadow box, and get the AWW sound whenever they lay their eyes upon it.

Your Family Tree

If you want to share the story about your family with your child, you can buy or make a family tree. Chalkboard family trees are now so popular among kids that they cannot seem to stop staring it, especially if they know all family stories related to their kindred and ancestors. If you want to learn how to make a chalkboard family tree for your child, you can find the instructions here. And if you want, you can ask your kid to help you in making it. This way, you guys will truly bond.

Plant an Actual Tree

Many people plant a tree when their child is born, and that way they see them both growing. So, you can do that too – and dedicate it to your child and make sure they know how much you care. One of the most important lessons you can teach your child is caring about the world and nature by planting a tree together. And as the years pass by, your love for each other will grow too, especially if you often come to visit the tree and keep it maintained together. Make it even more special by putting a bench underneath it, and take a photo of it each year so that you notice the difference of its growth.

Sweets and Chocolates

No matter their age, all children love sweets. Luckily for you, the sweets industry is working in your advantage so you can see all kinds of caramels, taffies, cakes, cupcakes, and chocolates specially designed so that they have images of animals, hearts and umbrellas printed onto them. What is special about this printing is that you make the sweets personalised, and the kids will appreciate this and love you even more for remembering what their favourite animal or design is.

Time Gift Card

Today’s parents work so much that they almost do not have enough time to spend with their children, but not in a sense of taking them to and back from school, but actually being there for them. So, this year, you can give your child a mommy/daddy time gift card, which they can use whenever they want. You can either plan to go somewhere special, where only the two of you usually go, or go to a completely new place that you have always wanted to visit (like Paris, for example). And once you are there, make sure to really talk to your child, because the greatest gifts do not come wrapped in shiny boxes, but in the shape of words of wisdom.

Bake a Cake Together

For some unknown reason, kids love cooking. When they see their parents messing around the kitchen, they gladly help, especially when a cake is about to be baked. So, as a gift, you can bake a cake together with your child. This way you will spend some quality time together and teach your child a new skill. And who knows – maybe you get a cake for your birthday next year. Isn’t that a win-win situation?

As you can see, there is a number of ideas for incredible gifts, so you can pick one, two or a few of them. And of course, if you have anything to add, or share an idea with us, please write your comment in the section below.