We don’t claim to be as toy-savvy as Santa, but if there is one thing we know at Cook Children’s it’s how to make a child smile. So we’ve compiled our favorite gift ideas that are sure to bring hours of fun while also building a stronger mind, body and spirit.

Grab a cup of hot cocoa and get comfy as we help take the guesswork out of your Christmas gift list.

1. A subscription box is a gift that keeps on giving. It seems there is one for every age and interest. Have a fishing enthusiast? There’s a box for that. Does your kid love sports? There’s a box for that. Raising a future engineer or artist? Yep, you guessed it—there are boxes for those, too! Subscription boxes are delivered to your doorstep once a month for however long of a subscription you purchase, so your child will enjoy something new and entertaining well into 2022. Best of all, they’ll know that you support what interests them.

2. A custom journal is the perfect personalized gift for a teen who has a lot on their mind, but finds it easier to write it than to say it. There are multiple sources for custom journals online. Include a special pen in your child’s favorite color and you have a thoughtful gift that says “you’re one-of-a-kind and your hopes, hurts and dreams matter.”

3. Creatives love to create, so make sure they are stocked with essential tools of their trade. Art supplies for the artist. Instruments, home recording equipment or a karaoke machine for the musician. Bags, shoes and apparel for the dancer. Puppets for little performers with big imaginations. The point is to give them something that supports their talents, builds their imagination and offers them a creative outlet.

“Journaling, art, and music are all emotional expression activities,” said Lauren Lasrich, Cook Children’s Child Life specialist. “These activities can help your kids and teens connect with their emotions and be able to express them in a creative way. Giving kids an opportunity to express themselves helps reduce anxiety and stress, as well as share with those around them.”

4. If your athlete is looking to level up their game, shop for smart sports equipment. Smart soccer balls, boxing gloves, basketballs and more connect to a personal device and pair with apps that offer virtual training guides and performance tracking. It’s technology, sports training, exercise and fun all wrapped into one.

5. For the little reader in your life, books are always a good bet. Make it even more personal by putting together a basket full of favorite snacks and a new cozy blanket so that they can curl up with a good book that feeds their mind and imagination on a long winter day.

6. Plan an outing and let the experience be the gift. Wrap up items that provide clues for the experience. As your child opens each clue, have them try to guess the fun that is coming. The experience will give you both valuable time together and a special memory that will last a lifetime.

“With almost two years of isolation, spending quality time together is the best gift,” Lasrich said. “While families have spent time together during Covid, being able to safely do novel activities together is important.”

7. The pandemic made all of us home cooks. Even kiddos passed the time away from school and activities by cooking with mom and dad. Give your little chef their own kid-friendly cookbook along with an apron and cooking utensils for small hands. They’ll learn an important life skill and, in a few years, will be cooking dinner for you. That’s what we call a win-win!

8. Robots are all the rage. Kids can build them, code them and interact with them, and they’ll be learning important science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills along the way. There are tons of options on the market for just about every age and skill level. Work together with your child to build it and you might learn a few new STEM skills, too.

9. Winter is coming and that means kids will be spending more time inside with less opportunity to release energy and exercise, so give them a screen-free movement activity they can do indoors. Think table tennis. You don’t have to spring for an actual regulation-size table. You can purchase a kit with paddles and a net that attaches to your kitchen table, or any table you’re willing to turn into a ping-pong court. A weekend tournament on a cold, dreary Saturday spells fun for the whole family. Not into table tennis? Consider a hovering or sliding soccer ball made for indoor use to get those little feet moving.

10. Give JOY. Kids have been through a lot the past few years. The best gift you can give them throughout this season is the encouragement and opportunity to Just breathe, Open up, and know that You matter. Bake cookies together. Build a gingerbread house. Go for a car ride to look at Christmas lights. Shop together for a gift for someone in need. Whatever you do, seize the moment to check in and connect with the ones you love.

Happy shopping! From our Cook Children’s tribe to yours, we wish you a wonderful holiday season filled with hope today for JOY tomorrow.

Blaine learned that lesson earlier this month when she celebrated her birthday. She invited her friends to a party with a bounce house and even a magician. But, on the invitation she asked her guests to bring gifts for the patients at Cook Children's instead of herself.

As you might imagine, this wasn't Blaine's original idea for her birthday. Like many important life experiences, it was first a mere suggestion from her mother.

"We started talking about what it would mean to the children," said Blaine Smith. "It didn't take long for her to embrace it. The idea of bringing joy to patients took her desire to help people to a whole new level."

From stuffed animals to games, even toys for the tiniest patients, Blaine's friends delivered on her request.

"Some kids brought toys for me, but most brought presents for the patients," Blaine said.

Blaine's party was on a Sunday afternoon. By Monday, she was ready to go.

"We were driving to the hospital and she said ‘I want to do this again next year!’" said Blaine's mother.

Right after school, the 8-year-old delivered a basket full of gifts to Cook Children's, along with this note:

"Please give these presents to the children in the most unfortunate places, like kids with: canser, hurt heads and numonua."

Other Ways to Give

Birthdays are a special time to celebrate and by joining the Peter Pan Birthday Club, your child has the opportunity to impact the life of a sick child. Club members ask birthday party guests to bring a monetary gift for Cook Children's instead of a present. All of the gifts made through the Peter Pan Birthday Club help meet specific needs of children in the medical center and in the community. Contact Geraldine Williams at 682-885-4444 or email birthdayclubs@cookchildrens.org for more information.

From the moment his parents named him, Xander Vento’s purpose in life seemed set. He was going to be a hero. Xander’s name translates to “defender of man” in Greek.

Xander drowned when he was 4 years old trying to rescue a little girl. In his effort to lift her above the water, Xander went down into the pool. His parents say the whole event occurred in less than a couple of minutes. On Aug. 6, 2012, Xander was rushed to Cook Children’s. He died three days later.

The little boy lived up to his name in his final days.

“It’s ironic,” Chris Vento, Xander’s dad, said. “This truly was his destiny. He saved somebody. He did what he was meant to do.”

But Xander wasn’t finished saving people’s lives. His brave legacy would continue as an organ donor.

Chris remembers vividly the neurologist at Cook Children’s telling him there was no brain activity. The Ventos were there with chaplain Terry Boggs, a Pastoral Care chaplain at Cook Children’s. Boggs was there to support the family spiritually and is also designated and trained to talk to parents and to answer any questions or concerns they may have about organ and tissue donation.

“I remember we both just looked at Chaplain Terry,” Chris said. “It was really weird because we hadn’t really talked about it, but we both said we want to donate Xander’s organs. We just knew this was in our hearts and we both felt it was right. We looked at it as a sign that we simultaneously made this decision.”

Since the death of Xander, the Ventos have made a point of speaking about pool safety, most recently at a drowning prevention event in Arlington for Cook Children’s, and the importance of organ donation. All in the memory of their defender of man.

“At that very moment, that little girl would have drowned,” Chris said. “He saved her. He sacrificed his life and was able to help many others through organ and tissue donation. We feel that was his purpose. So our son … we’re so proud of him. We regret the loss so much, but we know that’s what he was meant to do.”