Exchanging gifts, just like seeing loved ones and enjoying delicacies, is a fun and indispensable Christmas ritual. Here, thoughtful presents, which consider the recipient’s requirements, are likely to be cherished for a long time. However, certain gifts, like some types of toys, have gone out of fashion. So, if one is planning to buy gifts for children, they might want to avoid the following toys, which are likely to be returned after Christmas:

1. Teddy bears
Those huge, fluffy, adorable teddy bears are sure to bring instant joy when one comes across them at malls and toy stores. However, these furry creatures are not the best Christmas presents for children, primarily because most children already own plenty of teddy bears, which may take up too much space at home. Consequently, parents are likely to return teddy bears or exchange them for a more compact or unique present.

2. Electronic toys
As much as children may be enamored by electronic toys, these toys are typically noisy and addictive and may be viewed as distractions. So, parents may return these toys once the child’s Christmas holidays end.

3. Video games
A video game is the perfect Christmas gift for a child who is into gaming. However, a gaming enthusiast is likely to already have the particular video game one is about to gift them. According to research, the majority of gamers purchase highly awaited games immediately after they are released. In other cases, one may end up gifting a video game that the recipient is not interested in and will most likely return. Gifting someone a gaming accessory, such as a console or headphones, is a better idea than a video game.

4. Toy trains
As much as children love setting out to faraway lands of their imagination on toy trains, these train sets typically come with tiny pieces to be assembled together. Toys with such small parts could be a choking hazard, as toddlers are likely to swallow them if left unsupervised even for a short while. So, it is best to avoid buying toy train sets as Christmas gifts for very young children.

5. Noisy toys
Singing dolls or toy cars that repeat a certain phrase can be enjoyable at first but become highly annoying in a few days. Certain dolls do not come with an off-switch, so they repeat a song or phrase without one being able to turn down the volume or switch the toy off. It is highly probable that parents become fed up with the chaos and return the toy or doll soon after Christmas. A silent car toy or doll is just as adorable and could make for a better gift.

6. Beading kits
Beads can be a choking hazard for young children, as they are likely to pop in anything tiny they spot around them. The kits may come with warnings that parental supervision may be required. However, the kits then will not be the first thing parents give their children to play with, especially when they cannot pay complete attention to the activity at that time. So, this gift can remain unused for a long time or could be exchanged for something else after Christmas.

7. Slime
Most children love playing with slime, but it is rather messy and may leave marks or residue on walls, floors, and other surfaces. Slime can also get stuck on the carpet. So, it may be returned by parents after Christmas.

8. Toys with long cords or strings
Toys containing long strings or cords, such as yoyos, may also be dangerous for younger children and, therefore, not well received by parents. These gifts are likely to be returned by parents after Christmas.

9. Toys with magnets
Gifting a child a magnetized toy or toy set for Christmas may seem like a great idea, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned these toys in 2014 for a reason. Magnetized toys are usually tiny and may be swallowed by children. Multiple magnets swallowed can clot together and force through body tissues. Parents are often well aware of the hazards posed by such toys and may return them before any such accident takes place.

10. Kinetic sand
Today, sands labeled “mess-free” have become popular and can be quite appealing to children. However, as mess-free as they claim to be, the sand can be sticky and may cling to wooden floors, furniture, and even clothing. Naturally, parents may return such Christmas gifts to avoid dealing with the mess at home.

11. Games involving water
Russian roulette squirt guns, squirting whales, and water hats are all games involving water. These games are not just messy, they can invite chaos and accidents. The games, although highly attractive to children, can create a huge mess around the house, making cleanup a time-consuming task for parents while handling their overly excited little ones. So, games involving water should be a no-no on Christmas.

So, before buying Christmas toys, the best way to find a suitable one is to look up the pros and cons of the toy, the intended age group mentioned on the package, and check with the child’s parents if they already have the toy to avoid repetition.