Children usually have definite lists for Santa Claus, but it’s often what’s not on this list that may make them the happiest. When you’re giving a child in your life a present, it’s best to go beyond what Santa Claus will likely be giving him. By focusing more on the thought behind the gift—and watching your budget along the way—you’re likely to come up with something special, unique and appropriate to where the child is coming from.



It’s children that are known for making their own treasured gifts for their parents, but children also enjoy receiving homemade gifts. If you’re talented at sewing, you may consider making a little girl her own doll that resembles her in hair and eye color. Those with little crafting experience, can paint a raw jewelry box obtained from crafting stores like Joann.com. By painting the child’s name on it and making it her favorite color, you may have concocted her most treasured Christmas gift. A little boy may love a treasure chest painted with his name on it that he can use to store toys, collector cards or games. Another plus side is that these choices are of minimal cost.



If your budget is slightly larger, consider giving the child a DVD set from Amazon.com.  Give a child the first season of an older series like “Full House,” “Who’s The Boss?” or “Little House on the Prairie.” This isn’t the gift a child will likely think of seeking, yet it may open up a whole world of entertainment that you can share with her, explaining what the show meant to you when you were her age.



Tickets are a great gift idea and allow you to plan a special day together. Gift tickets to a theme park like Six Flags, Fandango.com movie ticket gift certificates or StubHub.com Gift Certificates for concerts all allow you to plan great events. Taking the child to his first concert will be a memory that lasts a lifetime. For total wow factor, plane tickets from Expedia to visit a grandparent or family that isn’t local make great gifts if the budget allows.



Give a vintage gift that is associated with a child’s current interests. For instance, if the child enjoys the new, modern versions of Cabbage Patch Kids, Transformers or Star Wars toys, look on eBay or a vintage store to get a mint condition toy made decades ago. The child will be thrilled at a new addition to the collection that he didn’t know existed.

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