| Buying toys and plush animals for children isn't always | | | | There are very different toys marketed for little |
| easy. No longer being children ourselves, it's hard to | | | | boys and little girls, so always consider gender when |
| get into the head of the modern child and understand | | | | getting a gift. Girls often prefer plush animals that are |
| what they would enjoy. This is especially true if we | | | | colorful, cute, and sweet. These could include cute |
| don't have a lot of experience with kids, and so we | | | | teddy bears, little chipmunks, a plush cat, or a plush |
| often bemoan the lack of guidelines for what to look | | | | dog. Boys often enjoy stuffed animals that are a bit |
| for in the toy section. Toy stores and toy sections | | | | mightier, with an edge of danger. These include |
| rarely have knowledgeable staff, and all the toy label | | | | stuffed lions, stuffed tigers, or a big grizzly bear. |
| itself will have is the general information that tells us | | | | 4. Quality |
| what ages the toy is safe for. We often end up | | | | This ties in with the issue of safety. If a toy is not |
| buying the so-called "must have" toy of the season, | | | | high-quality, you run the danger of having a safety |
| either because it has been heavily advertised, or | | | | issue. A poorly built or stitched toy could allow parts |
| because that's what the sales person tells us is the | | | | to come off, and cause the possibility of choking on |
| "hot" toy. But how do we know this "must have" toy | | | | little pieces. Also, just imagine how sad a child would |
| is right for child we're getting it for? | | | | be if they got attached to the stuffed animal you |
| That is why we have developed these five guidelines | | | | bought them, and then it falls apart! Don't sacrifice |
| that will help you decide which stuffed animal is the | | | | quality for price. Remember, there are plenty of high |
| right one to give for a gift. Read on, and make your | | | | quality stuffed animals out there that you can get a |
| gift giving experience much easier. | | | | good deal on. |
| 1. Age | | | | 5. Purpose |
| Age can be a good indicator in as that it can tell you | | | | The last guideline has to do with the purpose you |
| how specific you have to be. If you're getting a gift | | | | have when giving the gift. Maybe you want to give |
| for a toddler, practically any stuffed animal is good, | | | | them a bed time toy, or you want to get them |
| as they haven't developed specific tastes yet. But if | | | | something with some educational value. Educational |
| the child is older, it's probably a good idea to ask their | | | | toys feed a child's curiosity. Just imagine getting them |
| parents if they are really into a particular animal. For | | | | a stuffed lion or stuffed tiger with the purpose of |
| example, they could love whimsical creatures such as | | | | feeding their curiosity on the natural world. Or maybe |
| unicorns, or they might love jungle animals, such as a | | | | you know that they are having a hard time lately. |
| stuffed lion. Remember, most older children have | | | | Get them something comforting, such as a cute |
| very developed likes, so it doesn't hurt to do a little | | | | teddy bear or a sweet stuffed toy pet. You can |
| research by talking to someone close to them. | | | | combine the function of the present with the child's |
| 2. Safety | | | | personality and needs, getting them a great gift. |
| This is a critical consideration. Always make sure that | | | | So as you can see, there are five easy guidelines to |
| the toy you buy is safe, especially if the child is very | | | | follow when getting a gift for a child. Don't just buy |
| young. If the child is under three years of age, any | | | | the newest "hot" toy with no forethought. Consider |
| toy with small parts or sharp edges is a big no-no. | | | | age, gender, safety, quality and the function of your |
| For example, make sure that the nose and eyes of a | | | | gift. Getting a fantastic present doesn't have to be |
| stuffed animal won't easily fall off and give the child | | | | difficult when you have these great guidelines to |
| something to choke on. | | | | follow! |
| 3. Gender | | | | |