Christmas gifts for kids – the go-to guide

It’s hard to believe that Christmas 2016 is just around the corner! The shopping centres have already hung their decorations and everyone starts asking that question, “Have you done your Christmas shopping yet?”

You've still got stockings to hang, a Christmas tree to pretty up, and don’t forget - parties to attend. Is your head starting to spin ? How are you going to get it all done? By getting organised, that’s how!

There's no better way to ready yourself for Christmas then to finalise your budget and make a list of the things you need to buy [and the things you need to do]. Even Santa makes a list for Christmas - and even he checks his twice!

Finding the perfect Christmas gift is not always easy, especially if it's for someone close to your heart like your kids, as their interests can change from week to week. And the real drama arises when you need to find something that aligns perfectly with what he or she likes and what he or she wants. How do you choose gifts that bring a smile to their faces on Christmas morning?

Firstly, before you go shopping, consider the following when thinking about what to buy for each of your children:

1. Something they want — the big ticket present!
2. Something they need — maybe sports equipment or hobby related
3. Something to wear — clothing or footwear or some fun accessories
4. Somehting to read — a book or a favourite magazine subscription
5. Something to do — tickets to the movies or an event or maybe a fun park outing
6. Something for "me" — a keepsake like a necklace or bracelet, or a framed photo
7. Something for the family — a board or video game or a movie DVD

So now that you’re ready to go shopping, let’s get some advice from the experts!  

Finder.com.au has sourced the best-selling Christmas gifts for kids of any age. They’ve got the go-to guide for Christmas gifts that boy will love plus the best places to shop for toys and video games as well as cool clothes. And for the little ladies, they’ve got the go-to guide for Christmas gifts that girls will love including the best places to shop for fashion, toys and games and ‘cool for school’ items. 

Plus if you still want to shop around, there’s also a list of the best retailers to shop for gifts for kids. And, for those of you who love to leave your gift buying to the last minute — you can always buy an online gift voucher!

Happy Christmas shopping!

Online shopping - some handy hints

1. Create a Pay Pal account. This protects your financial information and saves time at the check out.
2. Be aware of delivery times. Many sites can take up to 21 days to deliver so order early or pay a little more for fast delivery.
3. Check out the returns policy and read the fine print before buying!
4. Shop around; there are many deals out there in cyber space.
5. Sign up. Many sites offer member-only deals and early entry to sales. There are bargains to be had so don’t miss out!