By Meghan Cleary, www.shoeareyou.com

Meghan Cleary is the internationally recognized footwear authority, whose insight on everything from the latest shoe trend to the hottest footwear designs to red carpet stilettos at the Oscars and Emmys, has appeared in more than 4,500 outlets throughout the world. Known for coining her signature trademark phrase, “What your shoes say about you,” in 2005 with the publication of her first book, Meghan has analyzed presidents, world leaders, celebrities, and fashion icons alike with her uncanny insight. Visit www.shoeareyou.com.

So you want to treat your niece or nephew to a little shoe shopping? Here are a few key tips to maximize the fun.

Do

1. Get the right shoe size from their parents before you shop.
And have an idea of how fast your niece or nephew is growing—are they in a growth spurt right now? Or have they leveled out for a moment?

2. Buy a half size larger than they would normally take.
This will give a little wiggle room and your niece or nephew will get some extra mileage out of the fun “kicks” they bought with their special Auntie.

3. Find something that expresses their individual style.
Take time to listen when you shop—what does your niece or nephew like about his or her current shoes? What shoes do they wish they had? They are really telling you who they want to be, not just what they want to wear—especially teenagers. This is the ultimate expression of identity in crucial adolescent years because shoes are the only fashion item affecting how they walk and carry themselves. Hear what they have to say and use the opportunity to connect and be close.

Don’t

1. Don’t feel like you have to be the one to buy something practical.
YOU are the special Auntie, so now’s the time to get something fun and indulge.

2. Don’t spend a million bucks.
There are tons of great, inexpensive shoe brands that pack a punch in the style and fund department. Converse does tons of brightly colored, trendy styles for toddlers to teenagers, both boys and girls. Keds and New Balance do, too.

3. Don’t put down anything your niece or nephew choose—
Even if you don’t like this, their time and choosing something of their own no matter how old they are is a crucial step in growing up. Celebrate it!

Photo: Courtesy of www.zappos.com
Published: May 29, 2013