How to Select a Gift for an 8-Year-Old Boy

Gift shopping for an eight-year-old boy can give you a chance to check out what's new on the toy scene - as well as take you back to your childhood delights.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Children's Clothes
• Birthday Cards
• Children/teen Gift Certificates
• CDs - Children's
• School Supplies
• Children's Software

1. Consider the boy in question: Does he like music? Taking things apart? Sports? Computer games? Reading?
2. Look for a gift that's likely to mesh with his interests. Talk to a salesclerk if you're at a loss.
3. Take another route and trust your instincts: Go for a remote-controlled airplane or a cool computer adventure program.
4. Be practical and shop for clothes or school supplies, or contribute to his educational fund.
5. Check with his parents. They'll know best what's likely to please him - and they'll also know what he already has.
6. Plan an excursion: Take him to a cave, a water park or a miniature golf course. You'll get one-on-one time and his parents will get a little break.
7. Go for a gift certificate if you're short on time or you're at a loss for ideas - he'll get the pleasure of picking out his own present.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure whatever you settle on is returnable; you don't want to add to that stack of unused items in the garage.
• Check labels and packaging carefully so you can be sure your gift is child-safe.