Yes, we realise it’s only mid-September. Yes, we realise the weather is still warm, the leaves are very much all present and correct, and the kids have only just gone back to school. But we’re going to drop the C bomb nonetheless…
Because Christmas is only 102 sleeps away, and in the IDEAL house we’re already getting excited. It’s been a long year (or two, or three) for all of us, and a little childlike escapism is just what Santa ordered.
All that said, Christmas is for the kids, first and foremost, and this year, as with every year before it, there are a few must-have items that should be filling every stocking. Here, we explore just a handful of them; here are 10 on trend gifts to get for your kids this Christmas 2022.
IDEAL For The Bookworm: A Special Edition Copy Of Their Favourite Book
Whether seven or seventeen, there’s no one easier to buy for than bibliophiles. And whilst you might debate the ‘on trend’ nature of books as Christmas gifts, it’s recently been revealed that the percentage of children who enjoy reading is rising. Hooray!
As reported by the Literacy Trust earlier this year, ‘’51.5% of 8 to 18 year olds enjoy reading – an increase on the figure we saw back in January 2020.’’
Make this Christmas extra special and look for a signed copy or a special edition, to set your gift apart from the pack. WH Smiths, Waterstones and Penguin all have a range of unique, signed or special edition books. Why not buy personalized bookmarks for students as a complementary gift while you’re at it?
Or, you could get fun stationary and a notebook for that bookworm who is contemplating a transition into authorhood!
IDEAL For The Explorer: Hoverboard
Skateboards, bicycles, and blades be damned; there’s a new kid in town and it’s called the hoverboard.
Indeed, hoverboards have gained popularity fast over the last couple of years, and are now one of the must-have accessories for young explorers keen to zip around town (or, in much safer fashion, the park) in record time.
At the UK’s leading brand Official Hoverboard you can find self-balancing, customisable hoverboards, as well as segways, hovercarts and more! Just make sure you check the legality of riding them in your area, and include a helmet, elbowpads and kneepads in your kid’s stocking!
IDEAL For The Budding Horologist: Tobi Robot Smartwatch
The Tobi Robot Smartwatch is an excellent gift for kids who are slightly too young to own an Apple Watch but are at the age where both knowing the time and looking the part matters.
Not only does it have a funky design, but it will also help teach your kids how to tell the time. More than this, it has other features, such as built-in games, an alarm clock, a reminder list, a calendar, and two built-in cameras.
IDEAL For The Aspiring Chef: A Personalised Apron
Chefs are the new rockstars, as they say, and a growing number of children are becoming ever more fascinated by the world of cooking, egged on (excuse the pun) by the likes of Masterchef Junior, Junior Bake Off, and Waffles + Mochi.
Obviously, a razor sharp set of chef’s knives isn’t the ideal gift for a young child, but an apron is equally useful and much safer!
Not only will this gift lead to cleaner clothes, but it will also help your kid develop a tidier mindset, which is essential to cooking well.
If you’re worried that this gift isn’t the most thrilling, then make it fun to wear by personalising it! Of course, not all aprons were born equal; look for ones with adjustable neck straps, built-in special holders for kitchen utensils and extra-long waist ties. Once you’ve ticked all of those boxes, you can set about the fun part and personalise it, perhaps with their name or a picture?
IDEAL For The Young Engineer: Lego
Does lego ever go out of fashion? A timeless classic for children above four would be Lego. The great thing about Lego is that it can be used to build pretty much anything, but most sets usually come with a picture that your child can use as a reference. More than this, there is Lego for just about any movie franchise, so your child can recreate their favourite universe right in the comfort of their bedroom.
IDEAL For The Next Pop Idol: Karaoke Machine
With the news late last year that ‘’singing karaoke is good for children’s minds and bodies’’, an excellent gift for the future pop idols of this world would be a karaoke machine. This gift is great for kids with siblings and will also be popular with your child’s friends. Of course, you should ensure that you get a karaoke machine with a decent quality microphone; otherwise, the noise from that alone might drive you up the wall.
The Independent has a great breakdown of some of the best karaoke machines for kids here. Do check it out.
IDEAL For The Problem Solver: Escape Room Game
Escape rooms have taken the world by storm in recent years, and, unsurprisingly, escape room games are one of the most on-trend Christmas gifts for 2022
Whilst you don’t get the room itself and its interactive features, you do get a series of clues and puzzles that need to be solved in order to be let out of the room, encouraging teamwork and problem-solving, which are two attributes just great for children to nurture. Better yet, the entire house could be made into a series of escape rooms; what an idea!
Read: 7 strategies for beating any escape room
IDEAL For The Nostalgist: A Tamagotchi Or Slinky
Most of us can remember the digital pets craze back in the 90’s and they’re currently trending again, so pop one of these virtual companions into your children’s stocking filler — it’s bound to keep them busy from Christmas Day and beyond. Another brilliant classic revival is the slinky, a huge 300 million have been sold since the product launched over 60 years ago. Share it with a new generation this Christmas and revel in the nostalgia.
IDEAL For The Daydreamer: VR Headset
Finally, the last gift on this list, which will make your little gamer very happy, is a VR headset, hugely on trend in 2022 and only expected to get more popular as the decade wears on.
VR headsets will allow your child to be fully immersed in the games they are playing, and with so much content being released for VR headsets, they are sure to be entertained for hours. In fact, they may get so immersed that you’ll never look them in the eyes again, which perhaps isn’t such a great thing.
IDEAL For The Ice Cream Lover
Oh, we saved room for one more, just as your kid will want to when they make, serve or simply eat ice cream using one of these IDEAL gifts to give an ice cream lover this Christmas. You won’t regret it!
Or, come to think of it, maybe you will…