Ahead Of Christmas And New Year, What's The Best Gift For A Child?

Children's Vacation (Photo: Pixabay)

JAKARTA - When faced with two choices of gifts that should be given to children at Christmas and New Year's, there are two most choices, namely holidays and toys. From that choice, it turns out that vacation is the best choice.

"The best gifts for children and the best gifts from children for parents, to be honest, it's a holiday rather than a toy," said the pediatric nurse from the University of Indonesia Hospital (RSUI), Ns. Efa Apriyanti, S.Kep., M.Sc, quoted from ANTARA, Saturday, December 18.

Efa said that there are main components of holidays that provide positive benefits to children compared to toys, including healing effects and re-charge energy.

"In holiday situations, we are breaking up the norm. So if we usually say "no" to children a lot, during holidays it tends to be easy, more often we say "yes"," he said.

According to him, this is actually good for the mental health of both children and parents. During the holidays, the relationship between children and parents can be well established and this ultimately has an effect on physical health.

On the other hand, holidays are an opportunity for parents to reminisce about their playing days. Research in the UK shows that around 60 percent of parents, especially fathers, rarely play with their children and some even say they forget how to play with their children.

"When we are on vacation, it is our nature to play more out. If the mother was naturally straight, during the holidays, she might be able to sing a melodious song that entertains her child. A father who is usually firm, can be a cool partner, accompanying children to play," said Efa.

Vacations also help build memories. Research shows that 49 percent of respondents reported that the best memory they had in mind was when they went on vacation with their family.

About 25 percent even said memories of vacations with family helped them get through tough times. "So when we have limited funds and have to choose to give gifts to toys or give holiday gifts to children, we choose vacations," said Efa.

He added, it is the nature of children to get bored easily. So when they have a toy, it tends not to be long until he gets bored with the toy. "But when you give them a vacation, it's a memory that can even help them get through the tough times," he said.