There is a time in everyone's life when they are very easy to shop for. When they are just so riveted by any present that it doesn't matter what they are given. The only real criteria are either that it is colourful or that you can put it in your mouth – or both. The only time in our lives when this is true is when we are young children.
Children at a certain age are very easy to shop for. It is the stage when they are still learning about the world by touching everything and then putting it in their mouths. As children get a bit older the gift buying becomes a bit more difficult.
Do you get the blue wooden sailboat for James and the colouring board for Hannah? The possibilities are endless, and this is compounded on Christmas when you don't only have to get presents you also have to get stocking fillers.
For adults this isn't too difficult – a few tiny bottles of whiskey can go a long way, but with children it can be a bit difficult. A good imagination can help.
Children's toys should be both educational and fun, so that they are learning something even though they may not realise it. Game Boys and X Boxes certainly do not fit into this description, unless they have dictionary games.