The Christmas selection for kids brings together gifts that are useful right from the holidays: sneakers Asics, Victoria, Gola or Skechers, clogs Crocs, rain boots and jackets Reima, fleeces, jerseys and balls for their favourite sport, a mountain bike seat Shotgun for sharing rides. From toddlers taking their first steps to preteens playing in clubs, each idea is sorted by type and budget.
Gifts that come in handy right away, at school, in the park and at the club.
For children's shoes, measure the foot while standing at the end of the day, keeping about a centimetre in front of the toes for growth, without going beyond to avoid tripping. The youngest can put on their shoes themselves thanks to Velcro, like on Victoria canvas sneakers or Asics in small sizes; laces come when the child knows how to tie them. The Skechers Adventure Track has a gripped sole for paths, and the Gola Daytona, from a British brand founded in 1905, maintains a retro style. The Crocs, made from lightweight, washable Croslite foam, are perfect for home, the pool or leisure centres, and can be customised with clip-on decorations.
The selection is organised by type and budget:
Reima, a Finnish brand specialising in children's clothing, designs outerwear for playing in the mud: the waterproof Lampi jacket, with sealed seams, and the light, easy-to-put-on Ankles rain boots. The three-in-one jacket Regatta Trekktain combines a waterproof shell and a removable fleece, which the child can wear alone in mid-season. Fleece jackets Peak Mountain, like the Fasak, act as a warm layer under the jacket. For size, a slightly larger jacket can last through another winter if the sleeves don’t cover the hands; boots should be selected with half a size for thicker socks.
The Christmas selection also includes on a small budget, on a medium budget, on a larger budget, for men, for women, by sport, in the top gifts, and the selection delivered in time for Christmas reassures those who order late. Find all the ideas on the Christmas page.
For a child playing in a club, a ball in their size is a useful gift: the Wilson FIBA 3X3 ball follows the three-on-three basketball format, and a pair of Head Sprint tennis shoes with Velcro will support their beginnings on the court. The jersey of their favourite team or player, in children’s size, is worn for both training and in the playground. For mountain biking parents, the Shotgun seat attaches to the frame, in front of the adult, and holds a child from two to five years old, up to twenty-two kilos, with a little handle to hold onto during rides on the paths.
Great deals can also be found in the deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and the items shipped within 24 hours are prepared and dispatched in a day. The year’s main events follow a steady order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the holiday season, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back to school.
At ten, a child often plays a sport at a club: an official ball for their discipline, a suitable pair of shoes, a training bag, or their favourite team’s outfit will serve them all year round. Ask the parents discreetly for the child’s size and the sport they play.
The Crocs for children come in double sizes and fit quite wide. Take the size that corresponds to their usual size; if the child is between two sizes, the larger one allows for space for socks in winter, with the back strap to hold the heel.
Rinse the boots with clear water and leave them to dry upside down, away from radiators. The jacket can be washed at a low temperature, without fabric softener that would affect the waterproof treatment, with zips and Velcro closed, and then air dry.
For the playground and physical education, a versatile pair with a rubber grip sole and sturdy upper will withstand wear and tear. Running-inspired models, like Asics Gel for children, offer useful cushioning for running, and some gyms require a non-marking sole.
For their first steps, choose a soft, lightweight shoe with a thin sole that allows the foot to feel the ground, with a Velcro closure. Infant shoes like the adidas Duramo or small Crocs clogs for home make practical gifts.