Hot Holiday Gifts for Kids with Gifting Historian and Author, Aileen Avery

Gift Giving Expert & Mom, Aileen Avery on How to Choose Gifts for Kids

Choosing gifts your kids will enjoy can be challenging, but not for our next guest – who has turned gift giving into a science and a book. Joining us with her top gifts for kids is Aileen Avery, author of ‘Gift Rap: The History and Art of Gift Giving’. Aileen is also the found of giftexpert.org

THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT GIFT OPTIONS OUT THERE, BUT HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE KIDS KNOW THE REAL REASON FOR THE SEASON?

Choosing gifts your kids will enjoy can be challenging, but not for our next guest – who has turned gift giving into a science and a book. Joining us with her top gifts for kids is Aileen Avery, author of ‘Gift Rap: The History and Art of Gift Giving’. Aileen is also the found of giftexpert.org

It’s important for kids to know that there are children out there facing some serious challenges this holiday season. Here is a toy that is so special to me because it is so meaningful to the kids who get it. It is a gift that you cannot buy, but it means an awful lot to children facing cancer during the holiday season and all year round. The My Special Aflac Duck is a comforting robot that uses medical play to help children cope when they have been diagnosed with cancer. It helps them express their feelings and comforts them like a true friend. The insurance company, Aflac, is giving them to hospitals around the country, free of charge, for every child 3 and older who has been diagnosed with cancer. In just one year, Aflac has provided more than 6,000 of these special gifts for very special children. It’s a gift that I hope your children will never need, but I think it’s important to remind our kids that there are children out there struggling with their health, and it’s important to keep them in mind during the holidays. Medical providers can go to Aflacchildhoodcancer.org to register to order ducks for all their patients.

WHAT IS THE GIFT THAT EVERYONE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE?

Everybody loves technology, and now is a great time to snag a gift your kids will love without breaking the bank. Walmart Family Mobile offers great deals on devices – like the Samsung Galaxy J2 for $29 when you activate in store. And, the Truly Unlimited plan comes with unlimited talk, text and 4G LTE data, as well as 10GB of Mobile Hotspot Data for just under $50 – so it’s the gift that keeps on giving! With 10GB of Mobile Hotspot Data, your kids can easily stay in touch while they’re on-the-go for the holidays. For more information visit your local Walmart or  myfamilymobile.com/.

 WHAT IS A UNIQUE HOLIDAY GIFT TO CONSIDER?

I love this matching family pajama set, inspired by Disney’s Frozen 2. They're the best pajamas to make for a fun family photo or just a quiet morning at home. Starting at $11 and available nationwide at Walmart, they are available in various sizes for men, women, kids and toddlers. Matching Christmas family pajama sets are perfect for your holiday Christmas photos, or just Christmas morning by the tree and getting cozy by the fireplace with those you love. For more, visit: walmart.com

DO YOU HAVE ANY FINAL GIFT SUGGESTIONS FOR KIDS?

Candy is always a hit, and a favorite in my household is Kinder Joy, a treat and a toy that comes in a plastic egg-shaped package. Comprised of two separately sealed halves — one half of the egg contains a delicious treat; the other half contains an exciting surprise toy. Developed by an expert team of designers, these toys will maximize playtime between parents and kids, encouraging creativity for children over the age of three. I love their 4 pack Holiday Shoppes filled with Limited Edition Holiday Single Eggs. They are the perfect stocking stuffer! And with 16 unique holiday toys to choose from, ranging from Santa Claus to the Gingerbread Man, these treats will surprise and delight anyone on your gift list! For more, visit: kinder.com.