How to Select a Gift for a 9-Year-Old Boy

Shopping for a nine-year-old, whether your nephew or your best friend's son, can give you a chance to check out what's new on the toy scene.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Children's Clothes
• Birthday Cards
• Children/teen Gift Certificates
• School Supplies
• Footballs
• soccer balls

1. Reflect on the little boy in question: What does he like to do? Read? Play on the computer? Take things apart? Play sports?
2. Shop online or in person for a gift that will complement his already-developed interests.
3. Try another tack, if you're ready to trust your instincts. Choose something that's just so neat - like a motorized construction kit or a mini-planetarium - that he's got to like it.
4. Be practical if that's your style. Go for clothes or school supplies, or make a contribution to his savings account.
5. Take a shortcut and check with his parents - they're most likely to know what will please him.
6. Plan an outing: Take him to a sporting event or theme park. You'll get one-on-one time and his parents will get a bit of a break.
7. Go for a gift certificate if you're out of time, ideas or touch. He'll get the pleasure of searching out his own present.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure whatever you settle on is returnable.
• Read packaging and warning labels carefully - you want to make sure your gift is safe for a nine-year-old.