Today our sustainability editor talks through how she approaches buying gifts for kids. Plus: personalized pencils, confetti spatulas, and a deal on some squishy-soft socks.
It's a privilege to watch kids becoming ever-evolving versions of themselves, though that presents a challenge when it comes to gift-giving: The giftees grow up so fast. I'm often thinking about what happens after my present gets unwrapped. Will it break? Will it sit forgotten, cluttering a corner? Will it make a quick route to the trash? Finding quality kids gifts feels especially tricky when budgeting for a tidal wave of birthday parties. (Why is everyone I love born in the same handful of spring months? A question for someone else.) For all these reasons, I'm grateful for our gift experts' recommendations, which always prioritize usefulness, child development, and joy. I've gravitated toward giving activities, like treating the family to local museum tickets. I also love gifts that encourage creativity and play, like analog games, books, puzzles, and art supplies — these tend to stay fun for months and years, far longer than a one-off toy or trinket. And I do my best to avoid plastic. My feeling is that kids get enough of it, and there are lots of reasons to cut back on it in our lives. (For more on plastic — including how to reduce your exposure and use less of the stuff — I'm taking over Wirecutter's daily newsletter, The Recommendation, for a 3-part plastics challenge starting on April 27. Join me?) In the meantime, and ahead of your next birthday party, behold: a few standout presents for all kinds of kids of all kinds of ages, each vetted by Wirecutter's experts.
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One of my best friends is about to finish her master's degree — outstanding! She's in a great spot in her career, her kids are just about out of the nest, and she's worked hard for all of this. I want to give her something that recognizes this achievement, not just anything that I know she'll like. Ideas? — M.L. From gifting expert Samantha Schoech: It sounds like your friend is perfectly positioned for a spectacular second act, and she definitely deserves recognition for all her hard work. If you want to go the keepsake route, I love this memoir wrap ring, which can be personalized with names, dates, or anything you want. Another sentimental fave is this gallery-worthy print that maps the stars in the sky on a given time and place, like the day she received her master's (give it to her framed — unframed art is gifting someone a chore). Another angle is the gift of some much-needed me time, something she likely didn't get a lot of while raising teens and finishing a degree. My BFF and I have spent some wonderful, cocktails-by-the-pool days using ResortPass, which allows you to use fancy facilities near you without staying overnight. If you don't live near each other, there's always the gift of a night away — her choice, her schedule, her time. Good luck!
Have someone who's impossible to shop for? Submit your question here. One last gift (for you): These sock-like slippers have a little cushioning, a lot of warmth, and grippers to keep you from sliding around. And they're on sale right now. Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.
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