Every year I try to donate a toy to some organization that distributes gifts to children who wouldn't otherwise get to open many (or any) presents. It's challenging to find a toy that is not entirely mind numbing, boring or just ridiculous. The harder part is finding a toy that isn't super gender specific.
The best thing that I have come up with thus far is art supplies. A giant box of crayons or markers, colored pencils, a bin of sidewalk chalk or even an etch a sketch- drawing and coloring are safe bets for all. Now, I'm not claiming to be any source of authority but I am speaking from my own search every year to pick out gifts that aren't obviously for a boy or a girl. Of course a girl can be interested in getting a tonka truck or something from "Hot Wheels" but without having any control or say in the gift giving process I don't think organizations have the resources to determine such specifics.
BOOKS. Books are another gift that can avoid gender stereotyping and in fact often address the issue in a comprehensive and appropriate way.
So, if you do have a child on your list that you plan on buying a toy for ask yourself, regardless of gender, what you can gift that doesn't reinforce the lessons that all boys wear blue and play with trucks and all girls wear pink and want to grow up to become princess.
Merry Christmas!
No comments:
Post a Comment