What Are They Into NOW? - Grandparents.com

Not sure whether to go current or classic for your grandchild's next gift? These tips will help you make a choice.

When your grandchildren were little, getting great gifts for them was as easy as knitting a pair of mittens or wrapping up some classic books. Now that they're older, though, they may be angling for something, well, cooler. But it's up to you to decide whether to get them the latest fad toy or to stick with the classics. Whichever way you go, here are some tips for choosing a present they’ll never put down.

When in Doubt, Ask

The simplest way to guarantee a good gift? Go to the source. Ask your grandchild — or your son or daughter, if you want your gift to be a surprise — for a "wish list" of toys, clothes, or games. If a child asks for a video game, or products based on a TV or movie character, it's always a good idea to check with their parents first to make sure it's something they approve of.

Use Your Resources

You can visit the Toys & Gifts area here at grandparents.com for reviews of the hottest gifts for kids of all ages, including a roundup of the top ten items from the recent Toy Fair in New York City. Or stop in the bookstore and skim some popular children's magazines to see what’s hot and not. You can also order your grandchild a subscription to a magazine that looks good to you — because no matter how much time they spend online, all kids love getting their own mail.

The Answer Is in the Cards

If you want to make absolutely sure your grandchildren get what they want, give them gift cards. Sure, a piece of plastic may seem a bit impersonal, but kids may think otherwise. "They see gift cards like two presents in one," says Karen Bokram, publisher and editor-in-chief of Girls’ Life magazine. "First, there’s the fun in actually getting it, and then they get to go buy something." She suggests cards from iTunes (for online music; most songs are $1 each), Amazon (for books and toys) or BestBuy (for video games, gadgets, and DVDs).

Go Your Own Way

If the latest fad isn’t your style, go with a gift that’s more sentimental. Is your teen granddaughter into vintage clothes and accessories? Open up your closet or jewelry box and allow her to take home one or two pieces that you’re willing to part with.

If your grandson is a gamer, pull him away from his GameBoy with a classic board game that the two of you can play together — Connect Four, Battleship, and Blokus are sure-fire choices, or introduce him to chess. If the parents are OK with it, get an older child a poker set and offer a lesson in Texas Hold 'Em or five-card draw, using nuts or pretzels for chips.

Personalized gifts can be winners, too, Bokram says. “A favorite photo of the two of you in a nice frame is always sweet. Or fill a recipe box with a bunch of family favorites written down on cards. Then, the next time you have the kids over, pick a recipe from the box and prepare it together.”

Finally, keep in mind that the best gifts aren’t always those atop the best-seller lists. “How many Hannah Montana DVD sets can one kid have here?" Bokram asks. "There are so many other people who will buy them the cool things. Being a grandparent means you don’t always have to be up on the hottest trends. You can get them something unique and more meaningful instead.”