- Choose Safe Birthday Gifts for Grandchildren - Photo by Anissa Thompson
Although grandparents have the right to choose how they spend money on birthday gifts, it is not hard to choose gifts for children that are safe and useful. Taking a minute to think about how the parents will receive the gift and how the gift will be used can go a long way toward choosing a successful gift.
Never Give Pets as Gifts
Grandparents may have fond memories of choosing pets for their children, but it is never appropriate for grandparents to buy pets as gifts. This rule is not just for grandparents, but is for parents as well. The Humane Society of the United States warns against buying pets as gifts for any holiday.
“Pets are a serious, long-term commitment and the decision to include a pet in a home should come after careful consideration," said Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for The HSUS' companion animals programs in the press release, “Thinking of a Furry Companion as a Gift Idea? The HSUS Says Think Again.” Shain emphasizes that pets require long-term care that the family may not be able to provide. Even 10-cent goldfish require tanks, filters, food and regular tank cleaning. Larger animals like dogs and cats require a commitment to proper loving and potentially expensive routine veterinary care and should not be given as gifts.
Don’t Buy Loud Gifts for Children
Grandparents and kids alike love toys with loud noises and flashing lights. It is best to avoid these toys for several reasons. Parents may be tempted to remove the batteries or give the toy away if it becomes annoying. Many toys with loud noises and lights require frequent battery changes, which can become expensive. But there is a health concern with loud toys as well.
“Many toys designed to stimulate children can be dangerously loud. Because small children have short arms, they often listen to toys very close to their small, sensitive ears,” said Laura Strasser, a hearing instrument specialist with Columbia Hearing Centers. Toys such as vehicles with sirens or horns, walkie talkies and talking dolls should be avoided, she says.
Don’t Buy Birthday Gifts from Dollar Stores
Dollar stores can hold some real bargains for cleaning or gift wrapping supplies, but they are not a good place to purchase birthday gifts for children. Plastic toys from the dollar store break very easily, causing heartache for the child and headaches for the parents. The recalls listed at Recalls.gov include many dollar store items such as jewelry for young girls with dangerous levels of lead or wooden toys with lead paint. Grandparents who must buy birthday gifts at the dollar store due to a tight household budget should stick with safe choices. Create a rainy-day box of simple and safe choices like construction paper, wooden Popsicle sticks, glue, stickers or puzzles.
Grandparents want special birthday gifts for grandkids that will make them feel special and happy. Avoiding pets, loud toys and potentially dangerous dollar store toys will help to create a safe and happy birthday all around.
For more birthday gift ideas for granddaughters, read Never Be Without a Gift for Girls Again.
Genna Cockerham - Genna Cockerham has been writing online since November 2008. She served as Marriage Feature Writer from December 2008 to February ...
