5 Questions to Ask When Shopping for Adult Kids
When kids are little, it is fairly easy to shop for the holidays. We know what toys or animals they love, and we find something that will light up their eyes and give them something new to explore. But how do you shop for your kids when they are in college or living on their own? How do you balance the practical side of being ‘grown up‘ with the desire to do fun stuff for your adult kids? If you are in this boat with me, then take a minute and ask these five questions before you start shopping.
And of course, I have some fun gift ideas that might just help you find just the perfect item to put under the Christmas tree.
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5 Questions to Ask When Shopping for Adult Kids
Whether you have a new college student or an adult child who has been living on their own for several years, as parents you still want to have fun surprises under the tree. I’m not an expert at gift-giving, but I do have a few hints that help me in the shopping process.
What is the return policy?
We can have all the best intentions in the world, but sometimes the gift just doesn’t work. Maybe the size is not right or the color is off. Sometimes it just has to be returned. Before you make a purchase, check the return policy to ensure a seamless process.
Don’t forget to factor in the time it will take from purchase to actual gifting. If it’s outside the return window, you may want to skip the gift and think about something else.
Can I be practical and fun at the same time?
If your college student has been living on their own for a while, they probably need new towels, bedding or even pajamas. But giving something practical doesn’t have to be boring. Think about something that will set apart the ‘practical’ and make the gift special.
Instead of just giving a plain set of pajamas, why not take it up a notch and give a character set instead? Pajama sets from Bellabu Bear feature all the favorite characters like Garfield, Batman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Sponge Bob.
Soft, breathable & eco-friendly, it’s the secret to sweet dreams & cozy nights! When it comes to the art of getting cozy, nothing beats the soft embrace of bamboo. It’s like wrapping yourself in a cloud, with every touch whispering sweet dreams.
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Is it easy to use?
Young adult kids are often too busy to spend extra time in the kitchen but they still want to eat healthy and have tasty meals. But before you make a kitchen gadget purchase, think about whether it is easy to use and fits in their apartment or dorm.
Can I solve a problem?
Sometimes the best gift is something that’s not on the wish list. The next time you are in their dorm or apartment, take a look at their nightstand or computer desk. Are their phone and charging cords a tangled mess? How about giving a gift that also solves this problem? The CordBrick is a specially designed BRICK of silicone and can wrap cords for travel, with easy unwrapping too.
Is their bed a stack of pillows where they are trying to get comfortable getting propped up for study, reading or playing video games? Maybe Hugl is the perfect gift. Hugl is the world’s best, supportive cooling body pillow!
Crafted with a blend of viscose bamboo and self-cooling PE fabric, this body pillow is designed for ultimate softness and cooling comfort. It’s filled with memory foam and micro-fiber, offering firm support without the lumpiness of typical body pillows. Versatile enough for work, relaxation, or sleep, this pillow is the only one you’ll need for all-around comfort.
Can you improve on something they love?
If your adult child has something they regularly buy at the store, then you might be able to buy a gift that improves on their favorite items. Look at their refrigerator or go with them to the store one day. What types of products are they buying?
Are they taking water bottles to their classes every day? How about a set of reusable water bottles they can rotate through each day.
Do they pack a lunch each day? A small cooler and reusable lunch container may be the perfect gift.
Giving gifts to your adult children is a fun opportunity to show that you really know them and want to do fun things during the Christmas season. Just because they are growing up doesn’t mean the surprises of the season are over.
I’m excited about what’s going under the Christmas tree this year for my growing kids and can’t wait to enjoy many more to come.
Do you have any questions that I missed that you ask before buying gifts? I’d love to hear!
