{"id":6294,"date":"2014-12-08T11:59:37","date_gmt":"2014-12-08T09:59:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.pricecheck.co.za\/?p=6294"},"modified":"2014-12-08T11:59:37","modified_gmt":"2014-12-08T09:59:37","slug":"christmas-shopping-novelty-toys-vs-value-added-toys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/blog\/christmas-shopping-novelty-toys-vs-value-added-toys\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Shopping: Novelty Toys vs. Value Added Toys"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u00a0\u201cMaybe Christmas,\u201d he thought, \u201cdoesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas . . . perhaps . . . means a little bit more!\u201d – \u00a0Dr.Seuss<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Christmas is upon us and many parents already have an idea as to what they will be buying their children. This is largely attributed to the long wish list we so often receive from our little ones. I usually find myself in a ‘present purchasing’ catch-22. On one hand, I want to buy my children what they want, and on the other, I want to buy them what I think would add value to their playtime.<\/p>\n

\"Best-Christmas-Gifts-for-Toddlers\"<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve often found that these novelty toys are the \u201cBuy me that, mommy\u201d purchases \u2013 you know, the ads that are constantly running on all the kiddie channels, falsely advertising\u00a0<\/span>dolls<\/a>, cars and a myriad of other things that really don’t swim like mermaids or race and do air flips on their own, \u201cas seen on TV\u201d.\u00a0 Now, I do understand that they \u2018could\u2019, but I don\u2019t think that the catch-phrase, \u201cbatteries not included\u201d or \u201call parts sold separately\u201d adequately conveys the \u201cimagination not included\u201d message.<\/span><\/p>\n

With that said, lately I\u2019ve opted to find a balance between novelty toys and value added toys. By now you know what I consider to be novelty, but here are my thoughts on value added toys.<\/span><\/p>\n

Value added toys, does just that \u2013 it adds value to the gift that one wouldn\u2019t usually find lurking amidst a box of dolls or racing\u00a0<\/span>cars<\/a>. Value added gifts are more about giving your child a gift that will challenge them on different levels, and involve the parents, to some degree. The results and excitement that goes with these gifts are phenomenal and the memories created are priceless.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few of my favourite value added gift ideas<\/p>\n

Arts & Crafts
\n<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

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\u201cImagination is more important than knowledge\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

“Logic will take you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”\u00a0\u2013 <\/i>Albert Einstein<\/p>\n

<\/i>“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.”<\/i>\u00a0– <\/i>Mary Lou Coo<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The beauty of these gifts is that they are fun for all ages, whether you\u2019re a boy or girl. There are so many things that kids can make or recreate, such as paintings, clay sculptures, trinkets, models and so much more.<\/p>\n

Books<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cChildren want the same things we want. To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained, and delighted.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe more that you read, the more things you will know.\u00a0The more that you learn, the more places you\u2019ll go.\u201d\u2013 <\/em>Dr. Seuss<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Although it can be hard to fit stories in before bedtime, I believe that it beats one more cartoon, hands down. Not only does it help with word comprehension, spelling, reading and articulation, it also taps into a world of imagination, while encouraging children to question the world they live in, thus improving communication between parent and child.<\/p>\n

Board Games<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Board games, like video games, are a great way of keeping the kids entertained for hours. It also challenges them to think critically and that teaches them how to work as a team. Other benefits include satisfying their competitive urges and help them to master new skills and concepts. It is, therefore important to adhere to the board games’ recommended age requirements.<\/p>\n

Educational Toys<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

\"shape-sorting-cube-classic-toy-2801-p\"<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

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\u201cNine tenths of education is encouragement.\u201d\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<\/em>Anatole France<\/p>\n

\u201cEducating the mind, without educating the hearts is no education at all\u201d \u2013 <\/em>Aristotle<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

When children are encouraged to learn new things through play, it never seems like a lesson, although they always learn. And although sometimes expensive, it\u2019s always a good investment.<\/p>\n

Puzzles<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Puzzles present a myriad of benefits for your child’s development, such as stimulating their cognitive and emotional skills. Children learn how to solve problems through puzzle building, and that patience and perseverance is rewarded once they’ve completed the puzzle. Puzzle’s are a good gift, regardless of the child’s age.<\/p>\n

Video Games<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

\"gaming_mum_with_young_teen__large\"<\/a>\u00a0I couldn\u2019t find a positive quote online for video gaming \u2013 that\u2019s really sad, considering that an educational genre does exist. And although, I am all for children playing in the great outdoors, and having good ol\u2019 clean fun, video gaming can be fun too. Video games are often portrayed as being brain cell killing, psycho moulding, lazy-parent nanny systems, and a myriad of other things, but what\u00a0 Nintendo Wii<\/a> and Xbox<\/a> have taught me, is that gaming can be fun and a great way for families to bond and learn more about each other. It can also be a great way to keep active, but more importantly a great system for controlling what your kids play, and for how long.<\/p>\n

These categories are a general guide when it comes to buying toys and activities that will best aid your child\u2019s development, but essentially every parent knows what makes their children \u201ctick\u201d \u2013 whether its an X-Men action figure or Barney the Dinosaur.<\/p>\n

Happy Shopping!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u201cMaybe Christmas,\u201d he thought, \u201cdoesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas . . . perhaps . . . means a little bit more!\u201d – \u00a0Dr.Seuss Christmas is upon us and many parents already have an idea as to what they will be buying their children. This is largely attributed to the long wish list we<\/p>\n

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