It isn't always simple to decide on the right plush toy for a child. It's tough to know exactly what they would most appreciate, since we were children in a time when most cell phones didn't have a qwerty keyboard. It's even tougher if we don't have children of our own, given the lack of information and the large selection of plush toys available. Most toy specialty stores lack knowledgeable staff and the toy itself has only the vaguest guidelines on the label, usually only the cleaning information and the general target age for which the toy is considered safe. Sometimes we wind up buying the so-called ?must have? toy of the year because we have heard so much about it in the media or in advertisements, or because the sales person suggests it because it is a big seller. But how do we know that this ?must have? toy is the right one for the specific child for whom we are shopping?

Here are five guidelines that can help you to decide which plush animal is the best choice for your gift. Hopefully, this will make the experience of choosing a gift for any child a lot easier.

1) Safety

Your most important consideration when choosing any plush animal should be safety. This is especially important for infants and young children. If the child is under the age of three, then you should avoid any toy with sharp edges, small parts, or pieces that might come loose with use. Make sure that the eyes, nose, tail, or other sewn-on attachments can't fall off and cause the child to choke on them.

2) Age

The age of the child can help you decide whether to just go with your instincts or to seek more information. If the gift is for a young child, then any type of stuffed animal is equally good, as long as you follow the other guidelines concerning quality, etc. A toddler will probably like any plush toy, so long as it is soft and cuddly. For older kids, it is best to ask their parents what type of animals that the child likes. For example, some kids might like magic and fantasy, so a stuffed dragon or unicorn would be best. If they like jungle animals, then a stuffed lion or elephant might work better. It usually pays to do more research by asking one of their close relatives their tastes if the child is past the toddler stage.

3) Gender

The gender of the child is an important consideration in choosing your gift. Girls tend to like cute, cuddly, and colorful toys. Teddy bears, chipmunks, cats, and dogs are all good stuffed animals for girls. Boys tend to prefer more dangerous animals such as stuffed lions, sharks, dinosaurs, or even a big, fierce grizzly bear.

4) Quality

This is similar to factor number one. You should never, ever sacrifice quality for price. There are plenty of high quality stuffed animals which are reasonably priced. If a toy is not of good quality, then it could be a safety hazard. If parts of it just fall off, then a child could easily choke on them, as mentioned above. Not only can this be a safety hazard, but any child would be disappointed and sad if their plush buddy just fell apart! A good plush gift should be well-stitched and durable enough to withstand rough playing.

5) Purpose

Stuffed animals can serve many different purposes. They can be a comforting buddy to take to bed with you or have an educational value. If they are having a rough time with school, friends, or family, get them a good friend like a sweet teddy bear or stuffed pet type animal such as a plush cat or stuffed dog. These types of toys can be very comforting. Plush toys can also stimulate a child's curiosity about the natural world. If your gift recipient is interested in zoos and nature, go with a stuffed giraffe or elephant. If you can combine the function of the gift with their personality, then your present is sure to be a winner.

Keep these five guidelines in mind the next time that you have to choose a gift for a child. Don't just grab the first thing that you see or settle for the current ?must have? toy. Consider the child's age and gender and then look at the safety, quality and function of the gift you are choosing. You can make any child happy if you follow these simple guidelines to gift-giving.