Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Children

Valentine's Ideas for the Basket Builder, Card Provider, Theme Party or Mail Order Gift

If you want to buy a special Valentine gift for your child, grandchild, favorite relative or friend, or for a whole group, the possibilities are limitless. Whether you're planning to build your own Valentine gift, plan a Valentine party, provide Valentine cards for your children to take to school, or need to mail order a Valentine's package for that distance loved one, try these ideas-many of them cost effective and creative. The places to shop include Rite Aid, JC Penney, Sears, Target, Elaine's, WaldenBooks, and Hello Kitty. Online consider Amazon.com, Harry & David, Mint Box, Carnival Source, Suzy's Zoo, Pottery Barn Kids, Erna's Gifts, and Sugar Plum Gifts. One thing I'll say upfront, only a few stores are providing Valentine's theme gifts at this time, many of the mail order sites say they are, but for children, the items are provided without the red hearts packaging you expect for the holiday. Cool items to include are cosmetics, jewelry and gear, socks, books, candy, and stuffed animals.

Build Your Own

Right now, many retail stores have sales on a variety of products suitable for filling out a Valentine's basket of your own at savings. The most inexpensive way to package it all is to buy gift bags that cost about $2 in the gift-wrap sections of most stores. If you're planning to mail the items, think about using a seasonal mail order envelope from the Postal Service, Hallmarks or Fred Meyer and selecting lightweight, flat items to include in the packages. Doing so will help reduce your shipping costs. Mother's should consider holding a party with several of their friends to help cut costs by buying packages and sharing the individual items amongst several Valentine's baskets. If you want to have fun but don't have grandchildren yet, think about holding a basket building party for charity.

Cosmetics and Gear