With the holidays a few weeks away, everyone is on a shopping spree. Just like Santa makes his naughty and nice list, we make our own gifts list. And although it seems like there are too many options out there, every year we find ourselves staring at a blank piece of paper. Finding the right present for an adult can be hard, but if worst comes to worst, you can always solve the problem by getting them a gift card. However, children look forward to the excitement of finding and opening the gift. Therefore they need more attention.

In case you found yourself struggling to get an idea, here are a few suggestions that never fail. Plus, I added some ways of making each present more personal and interesting.

Toys and Games

No surprise here. Toys have become a tradition, so to say, when it comes to holiday gifts. However, in this day and age, I suggest you pick a toy that is challenging, not just a simple toy. Try finding something that is fun to play with other children, or that is mind opening. You can choose anything from Scrabble for kids to video games. If the child is a toddler, there are so many toys out there that teach how to spell, count or that simply teach how to distinguish colors. The point I am trying to make is give something that will benefit the child in the long run.

Stuffed Animals

This is my favorite one. And it is a known fact that children love plush animals. They love to play with them, hug them at night or make a beautiful collection. It is something magical about how kids feel after they give a teddy bear a hug. If you want to be a little bit special this holiday season, add an educational piece to this gift as well. You can find many stuffed animals that look very natural. So while they enjoy playing with them, they can also learn the particular features of an animal. Not to mention that with all the hype around movies such as Madagascar and The Lion King, for example, it is easy to connect a plush toy to so many animals. In this case, a stuffed lion would be an amazing present. Moreover, if you know the child really wants a pet, you can get an authentic looking plush cat or stuffed dog. It would be a good first step in understanding how to take care of a pet.

Arts, Crafts and Books

This is also a favorite although stuffed animals are still my number one. Even if the child is not really art orientated, this gift is a great tool for improving imagination and creative skills. There is less and less opportunity for kids to simply create things, and this gift will get them away from watching cartoons to maybe creating a cartoon on their own. I am not saying cartoons are bad, I am only suggesting that a gift which will entice their creativeness can only help them in the long run. If the child you have in mind is quite young, a fun coloring book would be the perfect start.

Clothing

We sometimes tend to forget how fast children grow. If we keep that in mind, last year's winter clothes are already too small for them. Therefore a nice hooded jacket or maybe a cute little coat would be the best gift. It might sound as a conservative gift, but if you choose a unique garment, you might end up with the best gift ever.

Candy

You can never go wrong with candy. Although it takes away the personal touch that a plush toy would bring, candy and chocolates are a guarantee success with children. So if you are visiting a friend for the holidays and he or she has children, this is your safest gift. However, make sure you ask about any allergies that the kids might have. Just to be on the safe side. Also, my suggestion is to give the gift to the parent for safekeeping.

Now that you are armed with all this information, I am sure will be able to enjoy your holiday shopping and find a great gift for the little ones. Just remember to combine the practical side with the fun side and you have a perfect present.