I take gifting very seriously, especially when the recipient is a child. Every child is different, but I LOVE aiming for the ‘how did you know!’ or ‘I always wanted this!’ response after opening a gift. I’ll get into etiquette for gift giving for children in another post, but if you’re a last-minute shopper i.e a Jamaican, here are some gift ideas for engaging toys for children. I’ve separated them into two categories:
Gifts available online (via Amazon)
Gifts available locally in Jamaica
(I will share links to gifts from other retailers on my stories throughout the week but a fair majority of people I interact with use amazon for their online retailer.)
Amazon Idea List
I deliberately chose gifts that were STEM, board games or outdoor gifts. Personally, I think digital/screen gifts especially for this age group should be left to the parents.
2. Local Gifts
If you want to shop locally, or just don’t want to be bothered with shipping, there are several retailers - large and small that carry great gifts for children in this age group.
Bookland - a store located in New Kingston (near Starbucks & Pizza Hut) that has an entire floor dedicated to children’s books. (and yes, books are still a great gift for kids)
All that Matters - with an ever-growing toy section, this store is a gift to the community. Regularly stocking harder-to-find toys for good prices, it’s a good place to complete your list. Go during the week, it will be easier to find parking.
Fontana Pharmacy - Fontana has a pretty great selection of Legos, puzzles, board games and outdoor games. You can buy online and in-store but their online stock is a little different from their retail stock. It’s a popular place to shop so double check you haven’t bought the same gift. as someone else.
Lee’s Pharmacy - a long-time favourite, Lee’s carries a good selection for Toddlers with a fair selection of learning toys, particularly at the Red Hills Road location. Their toy car selection is also comparable to Fontana’s and in some cases, a tad cheaper.
Azan’s Super Centre - parking can fill up quickly. Go during the week and early in the morning. The lines move quickly but it’s very busy generally. The gift selection varies throughout the year but its worth a look, especially if your budget is tight. My suggestion is to focus on board games, unless you’re making a bigger purchase like a bike or a scooter - otherwise, the durability of the toys usually available may be an issue.
Local & Handmade
If you get creative, you can find special, locally made gifts that children like and appreciate.
Wooden toys - Craft Market downtown - a really great option too if you want something customised. Please bring cash and a smile.
Soft Toys - Nuigurumi Studio has the cutest knit toys. Check out the instagram here
Wherever you get your gift, I hope you take the time to enjoy the process of giving to someone special.
xo,
Jan
#christmas #christmasshopping #giftguide #gifts #holidayshopping #kidsgifts