Gearing up for Christmas already.......

[NYCDiane]

and I don't know what to do about DDs gift. All she keeps asking me for is an iPod Touch. I've priced them and they range from $229 to $399. Of course, you have to also buy the case. There are a ton of free apps so I'm not worried about that.

Now, the problem......

I typically get her a bunch of gifts for Christmas and one "big" gift. If I buy her the iPod, this is going to use up my entire Christmas budget for her if I get the iPod touch and a $50 iTunes card (except for the Radio City Rockettes tix).

I was thinking of what to get her for Christmas (other than the iPod Touch) and I can't think of anything. She has more than enough clothing, shoes, and outerwear; she doesn't play with toys; she barely touches her DS anymore (may sell that and the games on ebay); and hasn't touched her Playstation 2 in over a year (may sell this, too)

If I get the iPod, I doubt if there is much else I can get her. She's 12 and I don't want Christmas to be just one gift (kids, even at her age, don't think cost-wise: as in "well, this cost "x", so that's why I only have 1 thing).

Honestly, ALL her friends have the iPod Touch. All of them. She feels left out about it and I feel kind of badly also. I didn't want to get a used or refurbished one --- they're not that much less and they will usually have scratches on them or something and I don't think the warranty is as good as on a brand new one.

I know it's only September but I always start super early w/Christmas so I don't have to go nuts closer to the holidays.

 

[tikilyn]

Why don't you get her a refurb one off of the apple store. It'll save you some $$ and then you can get her some smaller gifts. I also wouldn't do a 50.00 itunes gift card. Also the refurbs that come from the apple store don't look used. I've ordered plenty and they'e all looked brand new. Also the warranty is good for one year!

Hth's

 

[hffmnheidi]

-If she is wearing make-up, perhaps some make-up items. You can find Cover Girl at Dollar General for a lot less than at Wal-mart.
-What about some 'fancy' lip glosses? You can find those tons of places if you are looking for cheaper items.
-Make-up bags or cases are also a nice gift item. You can stock up on the make-up now, fill the case and present it as a stocked gift.
-Fancy socks are always a good gift. I still get socks every Christmas and I am 33. Socks are a practical and fun gift that comes in tons of colors and are inexpensive to stock up on.
-Nail polish/manicure kits are another inexpensive gift since she's in that difficult to buy for age. Perhaps you can put it together as a spa basket with some body washes/lotions from Bath and Body works.
-Pens or pencils personalized with her name.
-A new wallet or purse.
-Gloves/earmuffs/hats are always a nice gift even if she already has some. Everyone loves to get something new.
-If she's into crafting, maybe a scrapbooking kit that comes with everything. You can find online coupons for 40-50% off of them.
-Gift card for 25.00 to Barnes and Noble if she's a reader.

*You could probably get her most of the above mentioned list for under 75.00 if you shop around at Wal-mart/Dollar General/Big Lots/Michaels/Gordmans/Target.

*We've already started and are more than 80% done with our shopping through shopping with coupons and hitting those clearance aisles. You'd be surprised with what you find on clearance.

 

[gracie1]

-If she is wearing make-up, perhaps some make-up items. You can find Cover Girl at Dollar General for a lot less than at Wal-mart.
-What about some 'fancy' lip glosses? You can find those tons of places if you are looking for cheaper items.
-Make-up bags or cases are also a nice gift item. You can stock up on the make-up now, fill the case and present it as a stocked gift.
-Fancy socks are always a good gift. I still get socks every Christmas and I am 33. Socks are a practical and fun gift that comes in tons of colors and are inexpensive to stock up on.
-Nail polish/manicure kits are another inexpensive gift since she's in that difficult to buy for age. Perhaps you can put it together as a spa basket with some body washes/lotions from Bath and Body works.
-Pens or pencils personalized with her name.
-A new wallet or purse.
-Gloves/earmuffs/hats are always a nice gift even if she already has some. Everyone loves to get something new.
-If she's into crafting, maybe a scrapbooking kit that comes with everything. You can find online coupons for 40-50% off of them.
-Gift card for 25.00 to Barnes and Noble if she's a reader.

*You could probably get her most of the above mentioned list for under 75.00 if you shop around at Wal-mart/Dollar General/Big Lots/Michaels/Gordmans/Target.

*We've already started and are more than 80% done with our shopping through shopping with coupons and hitting those clearance aisles. You'd be surprised with what you find on clearance.

These are some great ideas!! Also, get some lotions and all at bath and body works. Their having buy 2 get 1 free. They also have their new line that they are advertising (secret wonderland) where they have the 2oz bottles for $1 and the spray for $2. And if you order online there are discount codes to get 20% off. I just ordered 3 of the spa foot creams and 1 of the $1 lotions (which smells fabulous!!) with shipping for $31. You can do the cheaper ones (mine were a little higher for the spa creams)

 

[worm761]

If she is 12, she is old enough to understand a budget. Have a frank talk with her and let her know that if she honestly and truly wants that iPod Tough, it will be the only thing she gets.
DS has Asperger's and understands a budget and could at that age.

My other suggestions are to sign up for some rewards programs to help with the cost. My fave at the moment is Swagbucks. I only search and do the daily bucks and still make $10-15 in Amazon gift cards a month. Between now and say the end of November, that could be $20-35 that could go towards the cost of one. Either that, or start saving and hope for a great deal on Black Friday.
Shop the clearance section every time you enter a store. You never know what you will find.

 

[Julia M]

I bought both iTouches we own, both Kindles and my iPhone from Craigslist. Start looking now, have a max amount-I guarantee you'll find someone who will take your amount. You should be able to get a 8 or 16 gb, 1st generation, for $100, easily, especially if you are in a big metropolitan area (which it sounds like you are).

Right now, in my area, there are 8gb 2nd generation iTouches for $115...that's asking price! $130 for a third generation 8gb.

Something to consider.....

julia

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

We purchased 2 refurbished touched from apple.com last year. They were perfect .

 

[ajh88]

I understand where you're coming from as far as the number of gifts go...maybe your DD really is old enough to be OK with one big gift if it is truly the one thing she realy wants?

I just did a quick look on Amazon because I didn't realize iPod touches were that expensive - I have one for school (oh yeah, I'm sure my tuition money paid for it, but I didn't have to pay anything extra out of pocket for it!). I saw an 8GB "old" version for $188 - not that much less expensive, but a bit less.

As for the case, I got relatively nice leather cases on ebay for literally a penny each - they shipped from Hong Kong, but it was still less than $5. I was so happy with the first one I got, I purchased 2 more from the same seller.

I suppose it really comes down to what your budget really is and what you think she really wants and/or needs. I struggle with this same question every year because DD is getting to where she doesn't really want (or NEED) a bunch of little toys, but she still likes to open gifts. Last year we got her some things she "needs" - like some fancy body wash, a new bath pouf, some Hannah Montana perfume, and some lip gloss. It was less than $20, but made a nice gift bag. I'm trying very hard to focus on quality instead of quantity.

Maybe a DVD or something too? There are so many of those that are like $3 or $5 after Thanksgiving.

Finally, how does she listen to music now? Does she already have some other sort of MP3 player? Or does she still have CDs? I only ask because you could always forgo the $50 iTunes gift card altogether and get her several smaller gifts with that money instead. She can just transfer the music she already has to her ipod - or transfer the music from her CDs to her ipod just to get it started. The iTunes gift cards can come later. Or sometimes they have them around Christmas as a 3-pack of $10 cards...one or two for her and one or two as a gift for someone else on your list?

 

[pantherlj]

At 12, she should be old enough to explain "if I get you this $300 gift, it's equal to 10 $30 gifts. Are you OK with that?" If she is and the mommy guilt still kicks in, I agree with the other poster and get her things like make up, lip gloss, etc for things to open. If you feel you need to get her $50 in iTunes, maybe get her 5 $10 cards so there is more to open.

My 11 yr old loves to write in a journal, those aren't too pricey.

Klutz has some nice arts/crafts kits that she might still enjoy.

 

[luvmy3]

Apple.com has the refurb 8GB Touch for $149 and free shipping with regular 1 year warranty. It is not the current generation but I don't think thats necessary, my dd 12 has the last generation and loves it. That would leave room in your budget for some less expensive items like make-up, funky sox, lotions, nail polish, journal, cool pens/pencils, and an itunes card.
Or you can wait to see what kind of deals you can get later in the season, I got dd's touch last year at TRU when they were giving an itunes card with the purchase of it.
Check Amazon for cases, you can find some reasonably priced.

 

[ardig123]

I would not rule out purchasing a refurb. ipod from the Apple website...149 is a great deal for an 8gb. Have you read the specs. on the refurb items?

Each Apple Certified Refurbished Product:

* is fully tested (including full burn-in testing).
* is refurbished with replacement parts for any defective modules identified in testing.
* is put through a thorough cleaning process and inspection.
* is repackaged (including appropriate manuals, cables, new boxes, etc.).
* includes the operating software originally shipped with the unit and the custom software offered with that system. See each products "Learn More" for more details.
* is given a new refurbished part number and serial number.
* is placed into a Final QA inspection prior to being added to sellable refurbished stock.

I have never heard of anybody getting a scratched refurb. product from Apple and they still come with a 1 year warranty.

I also would not go with the $50 Itunes card...so many apps are free...you could start her out with a $25 card and that would go a long way...maybe relatives could get her itunes cards as well or she could earn them for allowance down the road. As far as a case...everybody always tells me how much they love mine and I got it for $10 at Walmart. I also picked up some good accessory kits (wall charger, car charger, etc) at amazon.com for less than $10 each.

With the money you save you could end up finding her some good little gifts to go under the tree...You could even get her a Barnes and Noble gift card and she could download the Nook app for her ipod and use the B&N card to buy a book to read on her ipod.

 

[dreamin_disney]

My plan was to pay all cash but I'm going to payoff 3 creditcards nextweek. Then I'll have one with a $166 balance.
Once those are paid it leaves me with 2 cc left
1. is 0% until 3/13
2. 0% until 5/11
and I only need to make a monthly payment on both

so here's my new plan

DD's birthday is also in Dec so I will use my BestBuy card to buy an Ipod nano for her B-day, Radio/speaker thinghy for her ipod for X-mas and some $10-$20 itune cards for her x-mas gift and stocking stuffer.
Since BB has special financing offers I will get it all for 18 months 0% just a monthly payment.

Payments will be low so i can use the cash from my Nov paycheck and $165 from x-mas acct. for a few other gifts for dd and I wont have to charge up my cards and get charged finances.

The accounts with 0% i divide the number of months and payments so those are paid by Final payment date. I figure this will work and I will also be able to put money away in savings.

some will say i shouldnt but if I want to payoff these 3 creditcards I need to follow my new plan.

Next year I will have my wk deduct $50 a month and have that put in X-mas saving acct.

 

[MSSANDRA]

-If she is wearing make-up, perhaps some make-up items. You can find Cover Girl at Dollar General for a lot less than at Wal-mart.
-What about some 'fancy' lip glosses? You can find those tons of places if you are looking for cheaper items.
-Make-up bags or cases are also a nice gift item. You can stock up on the make-up now, fill the case and present it as a stocked gift.
-Fancy socks are always a good gift. I still get socks every Christmas and I am 33. Socks are a practical and fun gift that comes in tons of colors and are inexpensive to stock up on.
-Nail polish/manicure kits are another inexpensive gift since she's in that difficult to buy for age. Perhaps you can put it together as a spa basket with some body washes/lotions from Bath and Body works.
-Pens or pencils personalized with her name.
-A new wallet or purse.
-Gloves/earmuffs/hats are always a nice gift even if she already has some. Everyone loves to get something new.
-If she's into crafting, maybe a scrapbooking kit that comes with everything. You can find online coupons for 40-50% off of them.
-Gift card for 25.00 to Barnes and Noble if she's a reader.

*You could probably get her most of the above mentioned list for under 75.00 if you shop around at Wal-mart/Dollar General/Big Lots/Michaels/Gordmans/Target.

*We've already started and are more than 80% done with our shopping through shopping with coupons and hitting those clearance aisles. You'd be surprised with what you find on clearance.

AGREE..and wrap up each little thing. EVen though she is old enough to understand a budget, I love watching my child open gifts and am sure you do it. Not a lot of money for all these things and oh so fun.

 

[dtr_angel]

brand new 8gb ipod touches are only $180, if that helps

 

[NVDisMom]

My girls have understood for at least a couple of years that better gifts usually cost more than lots of smaller gifts. They have always been okay with getting something fabulous that they really want instead of a bunch of small stuff that is okay. DD13 got a new touch phone(no iphones here) that didn't cost us a thing and it was her favorite gift! DD11 will probably get one for Christmas and again it won't cost us a dime.

We have bought all of our ipods from Apple refurbed and you really cannot tell the difference. I'd also skip the $50 gc and use that for stocking stuffer type things. My girls take forever to use their itunes gift cards. We have so much music available to us through friends and family that we import into itunes, they never go without the latest. Movies and apps aren't that big of a deal to them. A least not yet

We try to do one large/useful/desperately wanted gift(this has been known to be family trips to Disneyland a couple of years) and fill in with a few little things. Makeup, Berts Bees grab bag items, socks, gloves, sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen for skiing...you get the idea. We always get them new PJ's (Old Navy rules!) and slippers as well as basic toiletry items for the stockings every year.

 

[Belle5]

This week was my DS13 birthday. I just decided that I have to rethink the mental images I have of what a stack of birthday presents (and Christmas presents) should look like. In this techno-gadget age items are MUCH smaller and cost a LOT!

I bought him one gift--a refurb iPod Nano. Nothing else. I explained to him as I handed him the package that I could have bought him a bunch of cheap gifts to make it look like more or one special gift. He was THRILLED! It was really ok...and I am determined to do the same for all my kids for Christmas. We are not going to have a pile under the tree--we just need to start visualizing Christmas morning differently in our minds--and if we do that the kids will get nicer items.

 

[jenseib]

I think you better be sure your DD wants a Nano. They are much different than the touch, and if that isn't what she really wants, then maybe you would be better off saving the money.

 

[NYCDiane]

I think you better be sure your DD wants a Nano. They are much different than the touch, and if that isn't what she really wants, then maybe you would be better off saving the money.

No, she doesn't want the Nano -- she already has an MP3 player that is exactly like the Nano. She wants the iPod Touch.

I'm going to go to the Apple store to see how much the refurb ones are and if I can get one directly at the store and not have to order online.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I think you better be sure your DD wants a Nano. They are much different than the touch, and if that isn't what she really wants, then maybe you would be better off saving the money.

my dd asked for a nano. She wants it for music, and making videos and maybe to watch movies. Whats the difference between nano 5th generation and ipod touch .Is it just one has a bigger screen and you touch it to work?

 

[jenseib]

my dd asked for a nano. She wants it for music, and making videos and maybe to watch movies. Whats the difference between nano 5th generation and ipod touch .Is it just one has a bigger screen and you touch it to work?

Ok, got confused. I don't much about the newer nanos, but I know the touch can get the interent too. I think it has apps.