Simple Toys Make Great Holiday Gifts For Your Family

The Best Gifts May be Found in Your Own Backyard

by Anni Daulter

Have you ever given your child that one toy that he or she begged you for, and then before you know it, that toy was just collecting dust?

One year, I decided to try something different, and for the holidays I gave my little son a variety of baskets filled with natural objects. One basket had only gem colored stones in it, one had a variety of shells, another had wooden blocks made out of actual trees, another had naturally dyed play silks, one had some wooden play figures that were beautifully painted, and another just had little sticks that I had gathered. I had read about this in a Waldorf "Philosophy of Play" book, and wanted to see how he would react to such simplistic items. Well, the results were astounding! When he first got the gifts, he played with all of the items for hours. Creating pretend rivers with the blue silk fabric, using the blocks for rafts for the wooden figurines, the gem stones for treasure and the shells for their little beds after a long day of river rafting! He even ran around the house looking for rubber bands to try to create a teepee with the little sticks. I watched in amazement and could not believe my eyes! My son was in that childhood place of full imagination and he loved it. My little boy was 4 years old at the time, and now at age 9, he still plays with the items in different ways. That was not only money well spent, but developmentally and creatively enticing for my child.

This year, I want to encourage you to stop and think deeply about your gift choices and perhaps try something a little different. You may find that your child appreciates the uniqueness of your choices, the environment and your child's health are better off for your thoughtfulness, and you may get the best gift of all...watching your child grow and create imaginary worlds right in front of your eyes. Priceless!

Happy Shopping...and Happy Holidays!