Can we talk about kid's Christmas stuff?

[QueenIsabella]

My DS10 is dying for an Amazon Echo. I think that will be the only thing on his list!

I like the idea of the room painting experience, especially if you put paint chips with a roller/brushes/paint tray, so she gets to pick the color. We moved last year, and a big plus for my kids was getting to pick the colors for their room--Dad moved down first, and spent all his free time painting until we got there! The only thing I'll say is, be open to her paint color choices--DS10 chose Yucatan Blue (think dark Caribbean blue), with Real Teal trim (maybe Behr colors?). Then DD13 chose pink with purple trim. And DS19 wanted brilliant royal blue for his walls--we talked him down to using that for trim color, with a soft gray on the walls. Sorry to go OT, but this is a recent thing for us. On the good side, it isn't super expensive, and you can let your DD personalize her room, just the way she likes.

Added bonus, get her a Fathead or something similar, to decorate her new walls in her style. A couple other thoughts are, a whiteboard to hang, along with markers, and/or a bulletin board. My little nerds like these things, both to play school, and to use as reminders.

They sell giant packs of Sharpies at Sam's Club (probably other places, too). There was a cool thing on Pinterest, where you dotted a t-shirt with Sharpies, then hit it with rubbing alcohol to make the colors run. It works best if you let it set for a few days before washing, but it's a cool effect.

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

I am going to ask for a letter this weekend. I bet $5 it will say Fitbit and sharpies. Would a bucket of sharpies be bad? Lol

I don't know about your daughter, but a bucket of sharpies is DEFINITELY going on my Santa list. Sharpies are awesome.

 

[neatokimmo]

If she doesn't like her room - I would DEFINITELY make that the theme for Christmas or her next birthday.

My kids did their room decor for their last birthdays (last summer) and then we used Christmas to finish them. Birthdays they picked out wall colors and decor for one wall for their theme (for my son, this was 4 large poster frames - one with each Boston sports teams logo, for my daughter it was flower decal stickers) and a basic comforter. For Christmas they got a bunch more..
- winter comforters
- big magnetic bulletin boards and magnets for recent photos etc
- a small 1ft square bulletin board/pins
- 2-3 canvas wall prints in there theme
- new shelves for trophies and bobble heads and trinkets
- nice new oval mirror for my daughter

If you decide to have Santa gift paint - I would probably make a collage out of paint chips and line a roller tray with them and maybe a container of primer if the pink is dark with some wooden paint stirrers, a gift card for paint, and a good brush/roller...

Other things my kids and neighbors which have girls this age like - outdoor games like beanbag toss, kanjam, stomp rockets, local sports team gear (hats, sweatshirts etc), new water bottles for school/sports, bowling/arcade night with friends, or a smores kit! If you have a pool or water access - accessories like a new boogie board or water guns are also popular!

I have been thinking about this a lot. Her birthday is in Feb. I think I will redo her room as her present within reason. Her room is painted the same color as the retro tile in her shower and her countertop. Her bathroom walls are aqua and that matches the pictures on her walls. I will have to starting looking online to get ideas

 

[neatokimmo]

I don't know about your daughter, but a bucket of sharpies is DEFINITELY going on my Santa list. Sharpies are awesome.

Did you see the pretty back to school packs at target? Lots of different colors plus gold and silver. Per marker they were cheaper than normal too.

 

[neatokimmo]

My DS10 is dying for an Amazon Echo. I think that will be the only thing on his list!

I like the idea of the room painting experience, especially if you put paint chips with a roller/brushes/paint tray, so she gets to pick the color. We moved last year, and a big plus for my kids was getting to pick the colors for their room--Dad moved down first, and spent all his free time painting until we got there! The only thing I'll say is, be open to her paint color choices--DS10 chose Yucatan Blue (think dark Caribbean blue), with Real Teal trim (maybe Behr colors?). Then DD13 chose pink with purple trim. And DS19 wanted brilliant royal blue for his walls--we talked him down to using that for trim color, with a soft gray on the walls. Sorry to go OT, but this is a recent thing for us. On the good side, it isn't super expensive, and you can let your DD personalize her room, just the way she likes.

Added bonus, get her a Fathead or something similar, to decorate her new walls in her style. A couple other thoughts are, a whiteboard to hang, along with markers, and/or a bulletin board. My little nerds like these things, both to play school, and to use as reminders.

They sell giant packs of Sharpies at Sam's Club (probably other places, too). There was a cool thing on Pinterest, where you dotted a t-shirt with Sharpies, then hit it with rubbing alcohol to make the colors run. It works best if you let it set for a few days before washing, but it's a cool effect.

I will try that sharpie thing. Walmart had 100% cotton vneck shirts for $2 tax free last Sunday. I got six to tye dye (her current love). Sharpies on a shirt would be even better.

 

[neatokimmo]

She's going to Camp Woodward? Or another camp?

There is no other camp like Woodward Camp! My daughter has been going since age 8, although the ages are 7-18 (with adult week being week 12).

Best camp for skateboarders, BMX, scooter, parkour, digital media, cheer, and gymnastics.

I love the traditional sleep away camp mixed with her favorite sport.

My daughter attended at the beginning of summer AND end of summer this year.

I haven't heard of Woodward before. I am waiting to see what happens with the Karolyis camp. If they don't reopen, then we will probably head to the University of FL. They didn't have one this year because of the remodel.

 

[tcufrog]

Purple or yellow would go great with aqua. If you're color shy or you think she'll get bored of a color you could paint her room white and decorate it with wall stickers. There's so many cool options now including some your can write and draw on. The wall stickers would be a great gift.

 

[Patience]

I have a 9 year old daughter also. My daughter has a ton of Legos too but I picked up a Legos Elves set (the big treehouse one) on clearance at Target for $30 so she's getting that. I also picked up that Pie Face game on Amazon Prime day for $10 so she's getting that too. She wants a Beanboozled game, new ballet warm up booties and a new dance bag. I will have both of those embroidered with her monogram.

I am considering getting her one of the instamatic cameras as her surprise gift. I think she would enjoy being able to instantly print pictures. The only thing that is holding me back is that you have to buy special picture paper for it and I can foresee her asking me to buy a LOT of it but I know she would enjoy the camera.

 

[QueenIsabella]

Beanboozled is popular in our house, and would make a good stocking stuffer.

Another thought on her room--since her birthday is in Feb., you could do wall paint for Christmas, then add-ons (wall art, new comforter) for her birthday. Although right now is the best time to buy room furnishings, they have a lot of cute college stuff in stores, like beanbag chairs and funky pillows.

Another thought if she likes to tie-dye--check out Pinterest for good ideas on cutting t-shirts into cute beach cover-ups. DS10 simply cannot abide having a plain white t-shirt, so we do a fair amount of "embellishment" here, as well. But then we cut the shirts to have fringe or another cute design. As you can tell, I'm on Pinterest a LOT--I have crafty kids!

 

[NinaBella]

I haven't heard of Woodward before. I am waiting to see what happens with the Karolyis camp. If they don't reopen, then we will probably head to the University of FL. They didn't have one this year because of the remodel.

The way I describe Camp Woodward is it's a traditional summer camp and an action sport camp combined into one. They have 12 (weekly) sessions each summer and you can sign up for one week or multiple weeks. They have mandatory classes (for the sport you pick like gymnastics) open gym, visiting professionals and Olympians. It's historical foundation is gymnastics. It's is not a "skills clinic" like the colleges hold, it's a true summer camp.

On google you can find many videos from campers and their reality show that currently at camp filming season 8. My daughter is at camp this week and is her second week going this summer. She is 13 now but has been attending since age 8. The youngest is age 7 Age 7-9 have a parent assigned to each cabin and they make sure the kids get to their mandatory events and keep watch over them at camp. Age 10 and up are in normal cabins, although they do tend to try to put younger with younger and older with older. In my daughter's cabin this week is age 12-14. Each regular cabin has a cabin counselor who is 18 years old or older that sleeps in the cabin with them and keeps eye over them but doesn't walk them to the gym or activities like the younger ones. They just make sure the kids clean the cabin, are in the cabin by curfew, wake up, do their chores, etc.

Because there is so many videos and information about the camp, I will give you a link to a Local News Station that did 3 episodes on the camp that I like. I like these videos because it talks about the history.

Camp Website: www.campwoodward.com
The main camp is in Woodward, PA (30 mintues from State College). There are a few other locations, but we have only attended the PA location.


Video from News show call In Your Neighborhood:

Camp Woodward Part #1 (Season 3.1)

Camp Woodward Part #2 (Season 3.1)

Camp Woodward Part #3 (Season 3.1)

 

[NinaBella]

Oh this video focuses more on gymnastics (and the video gets better after the first 1.5 mintues). Each sport has their own social media account so you can see the videos and pictures from the entire summer (they are on week 9 of 12 right now).

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/woodwardgymnastics/


Video featuring more of gymnastics.

 

[moniqueand2]

My daughter is nine, I welcome all suggestions

Any interest in American Girl dolls? This is about the age, those show up on kids gift lists.

 

[katyjeka]

Had to comment, our 2 girls are into AG dolls big time!! I watch the site for sales and buy all year. I also get our girls new bedding every Christmas. We also make money or gift card trees that go over well.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I got an email today about gymnastics sets for American Girl dolls being on special.

Here is a bundle that includes a Truly Me doll if you want one:

http://www.americangirl.com/shop/truly-me/tm-bundle-06bun18

 

[mom2t]

We are doing Seaworld and Busch Gradens next April. I am giving my son one behind the scenes tour at each park. He is 14 and a huge animal enthusiast. His birthday is in April and his birthday present will be a surprise visit to Discovery Cove to swim with the Dolphins. We try to always do one experience gift that is several months after Christmas. We have done circus, Globetrotters, science center/zoo memberships, etc.

 

[Thing 1]

We have been trying to give more experiences. Great Wolf Lodge, day trips to places like go-carts, and zoos and movies and aquariums. DS is 9 also. We do make sure there are some things to play with and enjoy immediately as well. We like board and card games so that is always a given. Sports equipment? DS got a bow last year. An itune card is also a given every year that goes in the stocking.

 

[weluvjasmine]

My 10 yo likes all things Kawaii. I have a how to draw Kawaii book, Kawaii adult coloring book, and clay with cutting tools on my Amazon to buy listing. Also, stop motion videos are big here. Exploding Kittens looks like a fun game.

 

[Hikergirl]

When my kids were little I used to start shopping when they went back to school, this thread makes me miss those days
My youngest ds wants a pair of Jordan's, an NBA jersey and Beats. I would love to get tickets to a Knicks game but they are so expensive. I would have to make sure it was when they played his favorite team, and would then need to cut the Jordan's and Beats from the list. It would be a great surprise though.
My other ds will get an iphone this year for sure. I'm sure there will be a couple PS4 or PC games he'll want too.
My dd will get some high end make-up and cash.

I really do miss when they were young.

 

[neatokimmo]

Any interest in American Girl dolls? This is about the age, those show up on kids gift lists.

I would buy her ten dolls if she would play with them and love them. Two years ago she asked for Anna (saige) and Elsa (Caroline) and I was so excited she got them both. Played with them for a minute or two then put them back in the box. They now live in my closet for my grandchild. Along with the Hawaiian one (ok maybe I wanted her) and Julie (I got her during the flash sale).

 

[disneychrista]

LOL. Sounds like she doesn't need anything!

I would look into finding an "experience" instead of "stuff."