THEBefana, which closes all the holidays, is a perfect opportunity to rethink the way we give gifts. More and more parents are choosing creative and experiential gifts, capable of going beyond the surprise effect of the moment and of leave something that lasts over time. An educational and stimulating choice.
Befana and creative gifts, perfect couple
In recent years, experiential gifts have grown significantly in Italy, tripling from 2004 to 2025. Creative workshops, music courses, artistic or manual activities respond to an increasingly felt need: to offer the little ones experiences that stimulate curiosity, self-esteem and imagination. Because, as experts point out, an excess of material gifts can reduce concentration and creative play, while experiences build memories and skills that last.
The Befana is the ideal moment, a creative gift, not just something to discard, but an invitation to do, experiment, make mistakes and try again. It is a slow, dedicated time that allows children to feel like protagonists of their own learning. Whether it’s an art kit, a cooking workshop or a manual activity to share with the family.
In parallel, a broader cultural sensitivity towards slowness and the return to analogue hobbies is also growing. According to the Coop 2025 Report, 66% of Italians think that “we were better yesterday”, a figure that speaks of the desire to slow down and rediscover concrete, physical activities, far from digital overstimulation. Puzzles, board games, manual activities thus become tools for living time in a different, more conscious way. And if this applies to adults, it is even more important for children, who are increasingly exposed to screens and rapid stimuli.
Giving something creative as a gift for the Befana also means educating on the pleasure of waiting and concentration. A puzzle to build together, an artistic activity to carry on over time, a course that starts in January: these are gifts that do not end in a few minutes, but accompany children, strengthening their attention span and sense of personal competence. “I am capable of learning new things” is the implicit message that these gifts convey.
So here are 10 creative ideas for a gift to “give” together.
The markers Carioca Joy, Jumbo, Birello and Bravo they are superwashable, designed and developed in the Italian laboratories of Carioca, strictly Made in Italy, they combine color brilliance and ease of washing.
Furthermore, the markers have been designed with anti-choke and ventilated caps to keep them dry performance even with the cap open for 10 hoursguaranteeing safety, durability and practicality even in the hands of the littlest ones.
CARIOCA Joy: available in 36 colours, this fine tip marker is designed for children aged 5 to 12. Perfect for stimulating creativity, it is available in packs of 12, 24, 36 pieces and in the school jar formats of 100 and schoolboxes of 288 pieces.
CARIOCA Jumbo: maxi pointed marker ideal for the little ones, from 3 to 8 years old, with an ergonomic grip and available in 24 colours. The packs vary from 6, 12, 18, 24, 40 pieces and in school jar formats of 50 and schoolbox of 144 pieces, offering a wide choice for teachers and families.
Info: https://carioca.com/it/classici/262-pennarelli-punta-fine-superlavabili-joy-36-pz-1
The penguin pen
Whether enterprising travellers, beauty lovers or cooking enthusiasts, Tie me up has the solution to surprise everyone with a pinch of irony and sweetness.
From the penguin pen that lights up to the travel set with Sleeping Mask – My Travel Buddy in the shape of a Panda, up to a Makeup Mirror with Light – You Look Purrfect! Lots of ideas for little ones of all ages.
Info: https://www.legami.com/it-it/
Sapientino and Lega del filo d’Oro
Acceptance of those who are different is learned from an early age. Because of this Clementonian Italian company leader in the educational game market for over 60 years, and the Lega del Filo d’Oro Foundation – ETS, point of reference in Italy for deafblindness and psychosensory pluridisabilityhave created a special version of the iconic Sapientino, underlining the educational and rehabilitative value of the game, highlighting how the latter can become even more of a fundamental tool for growth, inclusion and discovery of diversity.
This game, in addition to supporting the Institution’s projects in favor of people with deafblindness and multiple psychosensory disabilities, invites children to discover the richness of diversity through activities designed to stimulate curiosity, cooperation and awareness. The box contains 32 activities of progressive difficulty illustrated on cards that enhance the uniqueness of each one, and a deck of 20 cards enriched with Braille code and tactile surfaces, to encourage young players to become aware that knowledge of reality can also occur through alternative sensory channels, which sometimes become indispensable.
LEGO® Icons Stranger Things: House of Creel
The LEGO Group, in collaboration with Netflix, opens the door today with the LEGO® Icons set Stranger Things: The House of Creel – a model from 2,593 pieces which pays homage to the haunting epicenter of the supernatural mayhem unfolding in Hawkins, Indiana.
An irresistible challenge for all fans of Lego and the popular TV series that has just ended.
Info: lego.com/it-it/product/stranger-things-the-creel-house-11370
Dido Blocks Dachshund
Didò Blocks allows you to build using your imagination. This new set combines modeling and construction play. Available in Train and Dachshund versionshelps children develop logic, manual skills and coordination thanks to the association between shapes and colors, simultaneously exercising creativity and eye-hand coordination.
Each set contains 400 g of Didò play dough in 8 colours, 1 analogue baby tablet with printed silhouettes of the subjects, 1 maxi mold for modeling the geometric blocks and a knife.
Info: https://www.fila.it/it/it/prodotti/didoblocks/
GIOTTO ARTLAB+ Paint by Numbers
The new creative sets by GIOTTO for painting by numbers are perfect for those who want to create with ease. No special skills are needed: thanks to the quality of 10 tubes of GIOTTO extra fine tempera of 10 mlthe numbered linen fiber canvas frame and the color mixing guide, unique works of art will come to life.
Available in subjects Flowers and Catthey are perfect for all ages.
Info: https://www.fila.it/it/it/prodotti/giotto-artlab-paint-by-numbers-flowers/
A touch of magic on the K-Way
K-Way® presents a capsule collection with DISNEY in a limited edition that unites two universes united by a shared emotional value: the carefreeness of childhood and the magic of memories. To bring a little magic to every rainy day.
Info: https://www.k-way.com/it/collections/disney
A book store to build
Book Nooks are miniature worlds. Positioned like bookends on the shelves, they reveal secret alleys, enchanted paths, welcoming shops or glimpses of magical citiesreal fairytale landscapes. Built-in LED lights bring every scene to lifetransforming each Book Nook into a charming and detailed decorative object. Each model is made of wood and easy to assemble, thanks to the illustrated instructions included. Ideal for readers, creatives or simply for those who love to be amazed. An original gift also to collect.
Info: https://www.cittadelsole.it/ita/prodotti/diy-booknook-negozio-di-libri-modellino-da-costruire
Instax mini LiPlay
The instax mini LiPlay+™ hybrid instant camerawith its case matching the camera body and the “SOFT GLITTER” mini format film, characterized by delicate color gradations embellished with golden details.
It is a hybrid instant camera that incorporates digital technology and supports mini credit card size film. It allows users to take photos by viewing them on the rear LCD monitor and select images to print. instax mini LiPlay+ can also be used as a smartphone printer.
Info: https://instax.eu/it/
Make way for do-it-yourself creativity
Stabilo, with its wide range of pens and colored pencilsdedicates a large space of its site to many DIY jobs to do together, leaving room for imagination.
Info: https://www.stabilo.com/it/creativita-associazione/per-i-bambini/lavoretti-e-fai-da-te/
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