Gifted Weekly

As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves searching for gifts that do more than provide momentary excitement. We aim to choose presents that engage, entertain, and educate—gifts that will captivate their attention well beyond December and encourage them to think outside the box.

But what’s the cost of this endeavor?

According to a recent survey by What to Expect, parents spend an average of $173 per child during the holiday season (Weaver, 2024). That’s a significant investment—so why not ensure it’s an investment in their growth? By aligning gifts with a child’s unique interests, we have a better chance of fostering their abilities while avoiding fleeting trends.

Providing Resources for Wise Gifting

As educators, particularly in gifted programs, we can support parents in making meaningful gift choices. Platforms like Renzulli Learning make this task easier by providing tools like the Profiler Interest Survey, which offers insights into students’ passions and preferences.

For teachers, the platform helps identify interests that can inspire personalized assignments, passion projects, or tailored enrichment activities. Renzulli Learning also supports differentiation, offering group project ideas and extension activities that benefit general education teachers.

For parents, it’s a window into their child’s world:

• “I didn’t know you liked singing or doing science experiments!”
• “You’re interested in sports medicine? Let’s explore that!”

The platform connects parents with actionable insights and creative gift ideas that align with their child’s interests.

A Real-Life Example

Take Josue, one of my students. According to his Renzulli profile, Josue’s top three interests are:

1. Sports Medicine – Josue enjoys physical activity and is curious about fields like sports nutrition, physical therapy, or athletic training.
2. Business – He is drawn to organizing, leading, and starting projects, such as managing a school play or running a small venture.
3. Science – Josue loves biology, chemistry, and environmental science, often exploring these topics through experiments or collections.

These insights provide clear direction for both educators and parents. For Josue, holiday gifts could be selected to nurture his passions. Below are some gift suggestions based on his interests:

---

Interest: Sports Medicine

• Kids Transparent Anatomy Model – A hands-on way to learn about the human body.
• Warrior Kid Medic Kit – Introduces basic first aid skills in a fun, engaging format.
• Anatomy Model with Instruction Cards – Perfect for visual learners who want to explore the muscular and skeletal systems.
• Physiology Coloring Book – Combines creativity and science for deeper learning.

Interest: Business Startups

• How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000 by James McKenna – A practical guide to entrepreneurship for young readers.
• Office Supplies in a Box – Visit a local office supply store and create a custom kit with notebooks, a calculator, stamps, and a ledger to inspire entrepreneurial play.
• Kid’s Business Startup Kit – Helps kids understand concepts like profit, cost, and marketing through interactive activities.

Interest: Science Experiments

• Doctor Jupiter 100+ Experiments – A versatile kit for creative and educational exploration (great for ages 4–8 but can inspire older kids too).
• Sillibird 12-in-1 Solar Robot – A flexible STEM kit for budding engineers to experiment with problem-solving.
• 80 Science Lab Experiments – Includes tools for projects like volcano-building and chemical reactions.

---

Building a Bridge to Families

During the holiday season, families seek ways to connect with their children and challenge their minds. By leveraging student-driven interest profiles, teachers can provide practical suggestions that resonate with parents and foster meaningful conversations about their child’s passions.

If you’re a gifted teacher, feel free to share this guide with parents, along with your own recommendations for creative, interest-driven gifts. And if you’re a parent, I hope these ideas inspire you to support your child’s curiosity and growth this holiday season.

---

Additional Resources for Gift Ideas

• Engage Their Minds – Gifts for the Gifted
• Wicked Uncle – Gifts for Smart Kids
• Christy George, Therapist – 85 Great Gifts for Gifted Kids of All Ages
• Twenty Two Words – Amazon Gifts for Especially Smart and Gifted Children
• Gifted Weekly – Three Guidelines for Gifted Gift-Giving

Sources

• Engage Their Minds. Gifts for the Gifted 2023
• Weaver, Stephanie. “Here’s how much parents spend on holiday gifts for each child.” KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco, November 21, 2024.
• Today’s Parent. Toy Guide: Trending