Beliefnet.com's Third Annual Guide to Holiday Gifts for Children

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Spiritual Barbie! You Go, Girl!
Barbie's no babe on the beach anymore. My, how a successful movie based on a Tolkien book can change things! Here is our old bosomy friend endowed with mystical powers and decked out in an exquisite Celtic stretch mesh gown. She's the Fairy Queen Galadriel from "Lord of the Rings," with long, flowing hair, elfin ears, and a bow-carrying, long-haired boyfriend (it's actually Ken in a costume that makes him look like Legolas!). "Don't feature anything affiliated with 'Lord of the Rings!'" a knowledgeable friend passionately advised us. "Those movies were just an excuse for lengthy, bloody, horrific battle scenes!" But as firm believers in the moral and imaginative genius of Tolkien's story, we're standing by our pick. This Barbie Doll is worth every bit of her $39.98 sticker price, though we haven't had a chance to check to see if she still has the same old high-heeled feet. Also at BarbieCollector.com.

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A Contemplative Craft
Believe it or not, more and more schools are including knitting in their curriculum. Why? It teaches patience, self-control, and tranquility (and even boosts reading scores). This knitting kit for children is a nice starter set for any child nine and up. Assembled by the folks at Magic Cabin (a homestyle doll company that now features many sorts of uplifting children's gifts), the kit includes a knitting bag, size ten needles, a guidebook and yarns in your choice of cool or warm colors. $36.95.

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Fit to Be Tied
For the non-knitter or boy who thinks knitting is for girls (not so!), here's a knot-tying kit that fosters the same type of calm concentration and demonstrates ways to tie 24 different knots. A great way to build confidence in the budding camper or mariner. Comes with rope in three different thicknesses. Nine and up. $30.00.

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Riding Down the Oregon Trail

The Oregon Trail is a much-adored computer game classic that inventors at the Learning Company have just released in a new fifth edition. Join courageous pioneers and help them navigate their way through dangers and dilemmas out West. While the company claims this game is best for nine and up, reviews protest that actually the game is geared for those slightly younger. $19.99.

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The Best of Classic Comics
My sons, now eight and ten, got interested in old comic books about two years ago, and my Ebay.com surfing soon led me to the marvelous vintage Classics Illustrated Comic Books, all published with memorable style during the 20-year period following World War II. Most of these comics are glorious art books, interpreting some of the greatest novels of the past 200 years: Ben Hur, Great Expectations, Jane Eyre, Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, Hunchback of Notre Dame, etc. The kids and I were happy to find that the Classics Illustrated rendition of Oliver Twist, for example, contained much more richness of plot and detail than any movie rendition we'd ever seen. And, of course, like the great books themselves, these comics depict some of the greatest morality tales of all time. There are vintage comic book shops all over the country that carry them, or you can browse online--just "google" the words "Classics Illustrated Comics," or glance at Classicscentral.com or Ebay.com, where there always seem to be quite a few on sale ranging in price between $4 and $15 each.

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For Pre-Teens and Teens

Old-Fashioned Wood-burning Kit
This wood-burning kit offers a quick flashback to past summers at sleep-away camp. You can almost smell the pine needles. This gift also imparts a sense of responsibility to the receiver, since with it comes the assumption that "you're old enough to handle this now." The older child will be pleased to be trusted with it. Just as wood burning was etched in your memory, so it will be in your young adult's (directions say 12 and up). And one would hope you don't find any cute remarks burned into your stairway banister. Good luck. $29.95.

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Lunar Timepiece
Here's a good way to get to know the moon, home of the green cheese, controller of the tides, milky, mystical, mercurial orb. This moon phase clock strikes us as a lovely present for the teenage boy or girl mired in homework and teen problems who needs to be reminded of larger time frames--and the beauty of most kids' first nocturnal friend. Battery operated. $78.00.

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The Gift of Faith in a Surprising Place
There IS an uplifting, unaffiliated, reasonably spiritual teen magazine, and you already know of it: It's called Seventeen! What's surprising about this steady, nearly ancient Conde Nast publication is that in addition to offering the latest in teen fashion on its pages or lessons in how to manage blemishes the day before a big date, there is space provided for readers to engage in a discussion of matters of faith. Seventeen's monthly "Faith" section is causing other mags to now reflect: Are we missing out on a good topic by excluding open discussions of our readers' spiritual lives? This is a wonderful gift for any budding young lady who wants to be known as more than just a pretty face. Subscribe here.

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"Judge for Yourself" Board Game
"Legitimate claim or frivolous waste of taxpayer's money? You be the judge," reads the game's promotional material. This is a swell offering for young adults 12 and up. A range of 500 court cases from embezzlement to trespassing are presented, and you and your teammates must guess the verdicts correctly to win. $29.95.

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Ready for Your Closeup?
Rather than grumble "In my day, we didn't even have electricity," you can actually get teens to make things the old-fashioned way. Far from being punishment, kids will love the thrill of actually making a real old-style "pinhole" camera. While all cameras can help a child stop and really "see" the world, this little gem adds the pleasure of build-it-yourself and a link to the history of a great art form no digital minicam can provide. A wonderful gift for a special older child. $44.95.